Hey Guys,
Had a pretty rough week so I haven't been able to update you on my latest Migraine/TMJ update. The trip I made to the ER last week paid off, but I haven't been able to catch you guys on things.
I couldn't get a wireless signal for three days and that was making me crazy. On Wednesday, I spent three hours in the dentist office getting more work done. He had to numb me up four times because I'm have such a tolerance to pain meds. He can't use novacaine on me, he has to use something stronger, and invariably, he has to numb me up again during the process.
This time I had three root canals. He was in the middle of one, and the nerve wasn't numb, and I screamed so loud, I'm sure the whole office heard me. He stuck the pain needle straight into the nerve. One thing I've noticed that seems to make a big difference in my TMJ pain is that my dentist doesn't clamp open my jaw while he's working. My old dentist did that and it really aggrevated my TMJ. My new dentist, John, doesn't use clamps so my jaw doesn't get forced open for long periods of time. I can rest it closed while he's getting ready to do the next thing.
I had a long talk with my PCP Wednesday also. I finally got an new abortive that somehow I'd missed in all my years of migraine treatment. I got tipped off by the DHE the ER gave me the last time I had to go in for a migraine attack. Finally, Migranol Nasal Spray, seems to be a good match for me, although it had to be special ordered. This is really good for me, because it is a limited (single migraine size), so I can't take too much, and it's non narcotic. I did have a problem getting liquid compazine, in case of nausea, as they don't make it anymore. I figured a liquid would absorb faster than a pill, then I ended up liquid phenergan which is not going to do the job. Just too mild. I don't want to get into shots, but I will if needed to get the relief. I'm sure I'm going to have to tweak things a bit, but at least I see some hope ahead.
Thursday, I had another round of steroids via epidural injection for my back pain. I'm so tired of these injections, but they do give me some relief for a while. I still have one more to go in this series.
For you guys who haven't tried Migranol/DHE, it's definitely worth a shot. This is the first time I've been encouraged about a medication in a long time. Will let you know how it's going.
Leigh Ann 