Does nerve pain get worse without treatment?

[tryingtofeelgood]

Originally Posted by Michelle W

Dear Trying,

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I have been wondering if anyone else was suffering from anything similar. Unfortunately the answer is yes. I am so sorry you have been through some much. I hope things continue to get much better for you. The Neurontin has helped a lot with my pain, but I had to add another medication called Keppra. It seems many people are on Lexapro with nerve pain. It must work well. It is something to consider.

I have been wanting to go back to work part-time and wondered if any of you gals are able to work?

Thanks,
Michelle

Hi Michelle,

Thanks so much for your reply Unfortunately, I have found other people suffering too. I am sorry you have pain in your life. Perhaps it will go away. I believe it can, and hope it gets better for you as well. I was put on Lexapro when I became depressed and anxious. I had an infection eating my jawbone and marrow for 4 months, with nobody able to diagnose it. I am glad to know that Neurontin seems to work for nerve pain too. I did not know that Lexapro worked for that, thanks for the info. I find Ativan helps me too. Pain and anxiety seem to come together sometimes, one comes first and yada yada. Just don't want to be on these meds for too long.

I have not been able to work at all. If you are able, go girl! It will help keep your mind busy. I am at home and healing. I paint and play scrabble - reading is difficult, sometimes anything but sleeping is difficult.

I wish you the best and look forward to continuing talking with you

[tryingtofeelgood]

[QUOTE=Ann123]

Originally Posted by tryingtofeelgood

Hi Michelle, Ann and Laura,


Hi Trying, yes I have read your story on the dental board. I am so sorry that you have been through so much. I was hoping all the ostemylitis treatments would be the end or your ordeal.

I agree it is not in my mind - I had rarely even been sick in my life before this began and had no stress/anxiety issues. Thankfully my doctors have not been the type that suggest it is "all in my head". But the theory is that chronic pain can affect our chemical make-up - putting us in a state of adrenaline overload (the classic "flight" response form the caveman days) thus these drugs to fight adrenaline and increase serotonin. And the Neurontin is supposed to stop the misfiring of the nerves. Are the Lexapro and Ativan (Lorazapam) helping you?- how long have you been on them? - that is what I am taking as well. Though I just started the Lexapro. I was on the Neurontin alone first but that isn't enough apparently. How about the massage therapy? I am supposed to be getting a prescription for that soon. My pain also is sometimes in my neck and shoulders though my doctor did not say it was referred, he said it was a separate condition from clenching/and or tension. Do you find anything increases or decreases your pain? Have you tried moist heat? That gluten free diet sounds very difficult. I wonder about that as why would I suddenly become allergic to something right after dental trauma?

I like your comment it has been "deduced" that you have neuropathy. It's like how do they know for sure-that is what is causing me worry sometimes-are they missing something? It's not like they ran any tests to prove it. Yet my neurologist remains absolutely positive this is what it is.

I saw your question on your other posts on websites to get more information.
We can't really list them on this site but searches on trigeminal neuralgia and atypical facial pain should get you started. I will look at my notes and see what helpful things I can convey as I have already researched this a lot.

Take care, keep us posted. This is indeed a strange maddening thing we have and hopefully we can learn from/support each other.

Hi Ann,

Thanks so much for your kind reply. I was also hoping the osteomyelitis was the end of my ordeal. It was not to be and now it is what it is. It is not good, so I will have to do what I can to help make it better. I have things to do in this lifetime! A lot of things! : ! OK, better now.

Yes, the neurontin is supposed to help with the nerves firing correctly. I did not know about Lexapro as being used for neuropathy. I happen to really like this medication. I have no side effects, well I've put a few pounds on, but I'll take that. The first week I was on it, I had terrible headaches and nausea. Now, nothing. I find myself less depressed and able to shake anxiety and depression quicker -which means less stress and utlimately, less pain. This is a good thing. I have been on it for a year or so now. Ask anything you wish, if you have more questions. I do know the seratonin levels are important - especially when nerves are concerned. The Ativan was prescribed to me 1 year ago when I was unable to take pain meds and having horrible withdrawal from morphine. I've been on it since. It is addictive, and hard to come off of, but I am not addicted- however, i don't intend to come off of it anytime soon, unless Yoga is a miraculous thing - and I can handle the gluten free diet. I wonder if it is for "all" types of neuropathy, particularly facial. I do not clench my teeth any more/less than I did pre-Lexapro. It's a rare thing. I know you are a clencher - I'd still give it a try.

I use moist heat on my neck - never at the site. I don't go near my site - and I think that is the thing that keeps the pain down. That, and not talking, moving my face, wearing a bite plate (bite has shifted from surgeries and bone removal) and smiling. So now people think I am a bit^*, which I am not. I also have no front tooth so public smiling is out of the question anyhow Not really - I'm over it., well sort of.

I too have not been ill before. I wonder if you have a lawsuit going? If OK to ask. I hope to continue our discussions. I appreciate any information you are able to post here. I wish we were able to email with each other. It makes no sense. The moderators must be very afraid of the competition, and they don't need to be. This site is hot - a lot of hits are made here first and people always come back. Anyhow, I wish you peace.

In health, Randi

[Michelle W]

Thanks so much for sharing your stories. I so have been searching for someone with similar stories. I was beginning to think that I was all alone with my weird story and circumstances.

Intially, I felt my surgeon was blaming me for my circumstances, because I tend to be a high stress person. Now he also agrees it appears to be some kind of nerve damage. It is hard when you have surgery, and it doesn't work out; but then to have your doctor sort of blame you makes it so much worse. I have heard this happening to other people. I don't think this is a rare incident.

Although I hate to hear that you all are having such a hard time, I am glad that you decided to share your pain and suffering with me. It has helped me tremendously- More than you all will ever know.

Ann, please let me know how the Lexapro works, and if it effects your grinding. I am really wanting to try it. My medication I am taking now Abilify which makes me so tired. A few weeks ago I was taking Geodon, which made me nauseated and like I was drunk. I had to go home and pass out from it. It was like I slammed a 12 pack! I got off it.

Thanks.

[Ann123]

Hi Randi,

Hope you are doing okay. I do like the Lexapro so far. (5 days on it)Didn't really think I was depressed; except during PMS. But trips to different doctors, getting your hopes up, then having them be confused and just sending me on to someone else - all that definitely had to cause anxiety. How can dealing with this type of thing not play havoc on ones emotions...hence the Ativan and Lexapro. Both of which I like. Neurontin has proven to be relatively easy to take as well; tiredness at first which passes. I am allergic to ibuprofen and sulfa so not all drugs agree with me - I am glad I found some I can take. Are you planning to start taking something like Neurontin soon? Are you working with a neurologist? Have you had a MRI? Are you taking yoga classes or self taught? I'd like to try that Did you say you also get massage therapy? If so, how do you like that?

My doctor told me to put the moist heat bag right in front of my ear and hold it all along the side of the face to my chin. This is wear the trigeminal nerve runs. It does not make it hurt more for me, it feels good. I use one of those bags with rice you heat in the microwave someone made for me. I agree- mouth movements, talking, smiling etc makes the pain bad. Very hard to avoid these things though. Where exactly is your pain? What does it feel like?

No I do not have a lawsuit going. I've heard it is very difficult. Are you pursuiing that at all?

Scrabble, huh? One of my favorite games.

We will both get better, it will just take time. You have been through more than myself without a doubt, again I am so sorry for all the pain you have endured. Take care of yourself, continue to be strong.
You WILL have a chance to do all those things you still want to do in this lifetime.

Ann

[Ann123]

Hi Michelle,

Well if it makes you feel any better, I am NOT a high stress person at all and my life was very easy and happy-go-lucky and nerve damage happened to me. It can happen to anybody, stressed or not. But yes I have had one oral surgeon who I didn't like tell me to reduce stress, blah, blah - I told him the only stress I had was this pain and the failures I'd faced in getting helpful treatment. I do find that now that I have the pain stresss aggravates it -but it did not cause it!

As far as being alone in your symptoms - no, not at all, I have found many many people with facial pain, trigeminal nerve pain, etc. There are many stories on the internet. Are you working with a neurologist used to treating this condition? Mine gets most of his referrals from oral surgeons. He has many patients like us.

I like the Lexapro so far - 5 days into it. Think it is helping me feel less pain, but I will give it more time to know for sure. Tired the first day, that was it. I do not think I am clenching more- I am not waking up sorer. I take it in the morning and Ativan at night. I am not familiar with Abilify or Geodon - are they in the same class as Lexapro? If they are then you may have same trouble with Lexapro. I know some people have too much drowsiness and nausea with it. I hope you can tolerate it cuz it seems people who can love it.

I'd like to hear more about the kind of pain you are experiencing if you feel like writing about it. Compare notes type of thing.

It would be so good to hear a recovery story from one of us one day. And it will happen, we just have to be patient and look forward to that day coming. Stay strong.


Take care,
Ann