Thanks, everybody, for the replies to a noob like me. I'll try to respond to every point, but I appreciate that the med isn't designed to be used that way and wouldn't have the desired effect.
... seems anticonvulsants are often prescribed for this condition as they can help with the pain. Same with medications that help with nerve pain, like gabapentin for example, one of them could also potentially help as well. ...
I already am on an anti-convulsant (carbamazepine ER 200mg twice a day). I had informed the neurologist just a couple weeks ago that it seemed to be working, and at worst I would have a persistent but totally manageable twinge in my jaw, but yesterday and the day before are the worst I've ever had, and I was sitting awake, only able to sleep in fits (and then only with the aid of tizanidine and doxylamine), which was when I decided to make this post.
I'm also already on Lyrica (pregabalin). In addition to the TGN as I'll call it, I have a host of neurological issues caused by idiopathic syringomyelia (right in the middle of my neck, too -- honestly, I'm of the mind that the TGN is related, if not directly caused by it). I've had surgery a couple times to try to clear that up, 2008 and 2013, but it started getting problematic again in 2019 (so it looks like I could keep having surgeries every 5-6 years, if I felt it necessary). But, I digress.
... Have you tried taking the tramadol, lidocaine/benzocaine and an some otc meds like tylenol and Ibuprofen in tandem? ...
I take Tylenol with every tramadol dose; unfortunately, I have gut issues that generally preclude talking NSAIDs. I actually was trying an NSAID (ibuprofen) under close medical scrutiny, and quickly developed an extremely unpleasant ulcer that put me in the ER for pain and dehydration -- despite that I was also taking Prevacid as ordered by the doctor.
As to lidocaine, I have a 4% cream to rub on my face and a 2% solution to swish and gargle. They kinda help, though during this weekend's attack they weren't doing much, if anything. I also have a tolfinate cream, much safer is it for me to apply an anti-inflammatory topically. I also have a benzocaine ointment, 20% I think, but between it's short-lived effects and the fact that I'm basically smearing it all I've the inside of my left check and gums, it goes pretty quickly.
... I describe it it my own thought process as "a bitch", not the "worst possible pain" that many others describe the condition as. ...
Have you explored other options for analgesia? ... I get a lot of relief from dedicated nerve-pain agents like Gabapentin (Neurontin) or Pregabalin (Lyrica). I also get better relief from the use of Cannabis when I deal with this pain. ...
I really think we can help you find a better solution to your pain if you continue to work with us. ...
I wouldn't quite call it the WORST pain I've ever had, but it is extremely debilitating. (I think the worst pain I've ever had was a day when my intestines decided they didn't need to move things along. I recall at one point in the ER, even after getting pumped full of dilaudid and ondansetron, positively howling "How can anything hurt this much?!)
As mentioned above, Lyrica is one of the drugs I already take. I haven't explored cannabis as an opt-in, though it's available in my state for medical reasons (problem being, I live in a particularly religious county, and many doctors are eschewing prescribing medical marijuana on moral grounds, blah). As an extremely infrequent partaker of the drug (two times, so far, and I'm 37), I can imagine from those experiences that even if it didn't resolve the pain, it might make me care a while lot less about it.
I'd be happy to work with y'all on getting this managed. I wouldn't know where to start, beyond this post, but any advice y'all have (including where to post on this forum or anyone specific to reach out to) would be greatly appreciated!
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As of this evening (Sunday, Oct. 4), I'm happy to report that the pain has died down significantly, though it's been replaced with a numb sensation that hasn't appeared in previous attacks. I gotta call my neuro in the morning anyway if I'm to get an increase on my carbamazepine, so I'll talk to him about that then, top.