aniseday

Immediately after a tooth extraction and bone graph (Dec 2019) I began experiencing facial pain. After an additional course of antibiotics was endured to rule out a lingering infection, I was basically told I was an overly sensitive middle-aged woman as there was no clinical reason for my pain. COVID caused a delay in my implant placement. This didn't cause the pain to worsen, but when it was manipulated in preparation for my crown placement I experienced immediate immense pain. The dentist told me this was not normal/not possible. Again - there's no clinical reason for the pain. The implant is perfect. There's plenty of bone so it can't be impending a nerve, etc. I was seen by an oral surgeon who said I had phantom nerve pain. I was seen by an endodontist who thought the COVID related delays I endured (extraction to implant to crown took 18 mo instead of usual 6 to 9 mo) that the pain was myofascial. But, my general dentist said he spoke to these other providers and they all agreed I must be suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia. My physician ordered an MRI (Mar 2021) to rule out necrosis presenting as nerve pain. None found. Then I was referred to Neurology. Another MRI (May 2021) ordered and a "suspicious" vein near the Trigeminal Nerve root was seen so "nerve compression phenomenon is possible." I have been cycled through Gabapentin (not effective) Carbamazepine (allergic) back to Gabapentin at a higher dose (side-effects worse than the pain) so it was reduced and Baclofen added (side-effects remain) so now going to be trying Baclofen only. Also working on accepting the "anatomical" reason for the pain touted by the experts is just an opinion. An answer to give me so the testing can stop. Nothing life-threatening found. TMS is a fit for my personality and past issues with "no cause" - beginning to dig into all the wonderful resources here to help me connect the dots - work through my emotions - accepting the pain and not pushing it away - changing my self-talk, etc. Grateful to have found this community.