Help! Doc won’t treat trigeminal neuralgia!!

Hi luvdogs, so sorry to read about your dilemma trying to get treatment. TN can be difficult to treat for many. I don't know what your treatment has consisted of, but I will pass this information on to you from prior members here. Many members said they finally got relief by taking a combination of Gabapentin & Baclofen, both are used to treat nerve pain. If you have not used this combination discuss it with your gp, these are medications he should be comfortable prescribing.

Back in 2016 millions of folks on benzos & pain medications had to make a choice on which medication to keep of the two. The CDC guidelines are directed at gp's prescribing pain medication long term, regardless of how small of a dose. Some have success with seeing a psychiatrist for the benzo's & a pain mgt dr for pain medication. You can consult with a pain mgt dr & see if he/she will prescribe, it's not a guarantee, but it's something to consider. If you do not have prescription coverage, download the GoodRx on your phone. It's a free service & can save you quite a bit on medications, I use it all the time.

Regardless of what the DEA told you over the phone, if this is your gp, yes he would get flagged for prescribing both medications. Drs do not want the feds showing up seizing their computer for an audit, it's too disruptive for the drs.

Take care.

The Dea, Board Of Pharmacy or another doctor cannot tell your doctor what he can and cannot prescribe. Your doctor is the only one responsible for how he does and does not treat you.

Has your doctor that treats your pain talked to your psychiatrist? Has your psychiatrist written a, letter to your doctor explaining why he prescribes you certain medications? Have you tried other medications that might not be as dangerous when used with opiates? Have you tried other medications to manage your pain that might not be as dangerous when used with your psy medications?

Some doctors do prescribe opiates to patients that are also prescribed benzos and/or certain other medications. But they can be hard to find.

I took Valium 10mg QID and an opiate for as long as you did. Most of the time, I took Valium for muscle spasms. But there were times I took Valium for panic attacks caused by a minor heart defect. Through the years I took codeine 60 mg, lortab 10 or demerol 100 mg for chronic pain.

Doctors were being warned about the dangers of benzodiazepines and opiates as well as certain other drugs long before the CDC came out with their guidelines. The CDC Guidelines issued in 2016 were aimed at Primary Care Physicians. The CDC issued revised guidelines last year. Unfortunately, the language they used was not strong or specific enough to make a difference. Under the circumstances, you may or may not be able to find a new pain management doctor that does not have a problem with prescribing a opiate with the benzos you take.

Post Edited (Mercy&Grace) : 11/8/2020 5:22:20 PM (GMT-7)

I respectfully disagree with Susie on this. Under the circumstances, your doctor would probably be more comfortable with the original letter than a copy. Copies can be forged. on the other hand so can originals. If the letter does not help. I think it would be a good idea to ask your psychiatrist to call your pain management doctor. If you are seeing a gp. You need to be prepared to start looking for a Pain Management Doctor.


PS. I am not implying that you would forge or alter a letter. Unfortunately there are patients that do. That is why doctors prefer to obtain medical records directly from the other doctor or to talk with them directly.

Luvdog. 💛🐕

I empathize with you 110% .
Have you applied for disability yet?
Lots of great neurologists take Medicare

You are in a hard place right now and
As awful as you feel, you must be you own advocate. Why? No one really understands the pain unless they see a love one go through a bad episode.

Try heat packs.
Gentle yoga to strengthen the neck shoulders upper back.

Walk, wear a ski mask

I have:
TN
Cluster pain.
Hemi cranial continua
Face pain, TMJ ..all from trauma.

Neck is wrecked....Yada Yada Yada

My neuro treats me for migraines, dxs all fall under that umbrella.. since 2006 I was turned down for all surgical procedures.

Ask your doc to try Topamax and Amtriptyline. Together as pain maintenance meds I take 250ng T and 75mg A

I have 24/7 pain level average a 6
Spikes to 8 - 10 easily with weather and
Physical activity, like walking, stairs

Not knowing where you live, I go to RELIEVOUS IN Cherry Hill, NJ
my Neuro is there, and he works with my pain doc and Marijuana doc.
Took years to find them. They take medicare