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[shrosphirelass]

Id rather they took the molar out, but the dentist wont as he says that if he does that I may still have the pain, but of course we don't know.

[shrosphirelass]

Hi shrosphirelass,

Yes I’m taking Amitriptyline for Facial Pain Syndrome (headache, jaw and face pain that comes and goes and moves to different parts of my face or head. Started with year of sinus pain always the headaches and facial pain. I was going to my dentist complaining of sore teeth, they told me nothing was wrong. In the end my doctor sent me to a ENT specialist. And after a scan that picked up nothing, I explain the pain and got told I have facial pain syndrome. The ENT specialist started me on amitriptyline in December on 10mg. I started improving but got to six weeks and started getting worse again? Two weeks ago they up my dose to 20mg. I seem to be improving again.

The only side effects I had was being sleepy, but as my doctor said the side effects will go away in a week or two. When I started on the 10mg it made me very sleepy, I found when I went to 20mg my side effects didn’t last as long.

I don’t know why I have this problem, my doctor had never heard of it when I told her. I think it’s menopausal related as with all my other random body pains.

If you do give it a go, try low dose, the side effects will past, so maybe take it easy for a week or two. After 6 weeks it should be doing it’s job and no pain, if you still got pain you might have to up the dose.

Good luck, and let me know how you go

I bravely started the amatryptiline last night and I was very surprised at how groggy and other worldy Ive felt all day. Hope this doesn't last too long. This morning I don't think I could have driven and been safe!

[Annie0710]

You should get used to it but take it 7pm ish

[Lyncola]

The grogginess should improve a little bit each day. What mg have they started you on?
I found the grogginess improved as the day went on.
Remember to take the medicine 12 hours before your usual wake up time.
I actually like that part of the medicine, not the first week of grogginess but the fact I fall to sleep very easily.

[shrosphirelass]

Not quite so bad today, but didn't sleep well but that's probably down to the tooth / jaw discomfort. Only started on 10mg. Have a low grade headache / general muzzyness feeling, same yesterday.

[Lyncola]

Hopefully it will improve everyday, it was over a week before I saw any improvement. Have they told you to go back in 6-8 weeks so they can check to see if the medication is working?

[shrosphirelass]

The prescription (via a nurse practitioner on the advice of the dentist) was only for 28 days, so Im going to have to make another appointment for a review. Felt very tired first thing but less groggy for the rest of the day today, so that's  a great improvement. Pain is also a bit better but I don't know whether that's the amatriptyline or the root canal healing.

[Lyncola]

It can take up to six weeks to work and feel the full effects, so my ent specialist gets me to come back after 2 months. Because how ever I feel then it’s not going to change.

And my box of amatriptyline came as a box of 50 and I was over giving my script with 3 repeats.
I’m happy to hear you’re starting to get over the side effects and feeling better

[Lyncola]

Hi shrosphirelass,

Just wondering how you are going with Amitriptyline? Any improvement?

I hit the four week mark and the facial pain seems to be getting worse again? I will continue on my medication and hopefully it will improve. If not I’ve got appointment early May. I don’t understand why I start improving then go backwards.

I hope the medication is working on you

[shrosphirelass]

Thanks for asking Lyncola, I am still really sluggish in the morning and generally more tired than normal, but ok apart from that. My teeth are much better (don't know if its related or not) but Im still aware of something in my jaw. I have a phone appoimntment with my GP for a review next week so Ill see what he says, he's pretty good when I actually get to speak to him.

My sister takes amitryptyline for IBS and she had to keep increasng up to around 60mg and she has now been on this dose for years and it has changed ger life. Maybe you need a bit more too.

[Lyncola]

Glad to hear your feeling a bit better, I’ve got IBS too, never had a problem before menopause, I managed it with avoiding food that triggers me. But I can be up and down and I’ve noticed amitriptyline hasn’t made any difference when I do have a bad day.

The facial pain has seem to improve a bit again? Let me know how your GP appointment goes 

[CLKD]

How is the facial pain?

[shrosphirelass]

THanks for asking CLKD , it is improved but still there. I don't think the amitriptyline is having much effect but will carry on with it until I finish the dental treatment. Ive got part 4 of the root canal next week if he thinks its viable with the low grade pain still there. Not looking forward to that but tbh Id do anything if there was a guarantee Id be pain free!

Lyncola The GP wouldn't put them on my repeat. He gave me two months more then said I should wean myself off the which I agree with, but if the pain gets worse stopping them Ill have to restart. How are you doing?

[Julia Dizzy]

Hi Shropshirelass,
I too have face pain and TMJ but mine is caused by stress clenching. There is a good exercise video on Youtube for TMJ by Adam Fields (American and who is very easy on the eye by the way ), I have just started doing them so am hopeful it will help my head, jaw and neck pain.
Hope you manage to find some easing of your symptoms?

[Lyncola]

Still two weeks until my ENT specialist appointment. And I get good days and bad. But since starting amitriptyline I haven’t had a 100% pain free day? It improves but then goes backward after 4-6

I will ask him if that’s normal until I find the right level of medication. I question Dr Que Hee how long I could be on this medication. He said once they find the right level for me I will be on it for one year, then they will ween me off. If the pain comes back they will but me back on.

Good luck on root canal