Free from Hospital, still a Prisoner to Pain

I was discharged from Beaumont yesterday. I have been referred to a new neurologist and pain specialist. When this was explained to me I was quite confused, and I thought for a few moments that I was being fobbed off. A doctor explained this to me and now it makes sense. My current and soon to be former neurologist has carried out every test to give me a firm diagnosis and rule out any of the nasty illnesses and disorders that involve the brain. 

I have been diagnosed now with Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia and Neuropathic Facial Pain, and my new neurologist specialises in this. I will also be seeing a pain management doctor again. I reckon I have a very long path to go down, but at least this is a start.

I have had a nerve block last Thursday that failed. I was so upset, the way some of my doctors were talking this would temporarily take away my pain. I woke up from sedation, felt the burning and stabbing pain, and cried my eyes out. The nerve block made my pain worse, it felt like someone had bashed me across the face with a hammer. My entire left side of my face was swollen, and I looked like death warmed up. The nerve block was partly diagnostic. If I had typical Trigeminal Neuralgia, chances are the block would have had some effect. My doctors were fairly certain of this and the failed procedure confirmed it. 

I am disappointed and saddened that my pain is still as bad as before. I have been given more medications and the dosages have been tripled. Hopefully this will have some effect until I can see my new doctors. Unfortunately these tablets have unsavory side effects. Memory loss, confusion, and bad coordination are just a few. The vision in my left eye is still blurry and my left arm is still numb with the occasional pins and needles sensation. 

So what do I do now? The sad truth is that I am capable of very little. I am so weak, in so much pain, that everyday small tasks are a major battle. Anyone with chronic pain understands this, but everyone else can't possibly. 

I know that my time in Beaumont wasn't in vain. There is a solid plan in action to reduce my pain, it just takes time.