Pepper & more - Kev are you still out there?

Cayenne Pepper theory

I tried to ask Kev how brushing his tongue with cayenne pepper worked out, but his blog will no longer allow me to post comments. (I thought maybe the problem was on my side, but have tried on 2 different computers - maybe he's chosen to no longer accept comments, as there are no comments from anyone else, either.)

The reason I bring this up is that I came down with a very sore throat this week - mind you I haven't had a cold in 3 years but have been run down lately - and when I read online about magic cures for a sore throat, guess what they mentioned? Gargling with cayenne pepper. Hmmm.

I didn't even like spicy foods much before I got this injury, and now it's almost unthinkable. So all this talk of pepper scares me. But does it really work? I'd give anything to stop the BURNING TONGUE, as I'm sure most of you would too.

The pain all over

Regarding the "spread" of the pain, I find that I'm hypersensitive throughout the entire trigeminal branch now, whereas in the early days of this injury the pain seemed to "jump around" more and change each day. Even if I scratch an itch on my cheek or remove eye makeup, I feel pain underneath. It's like I've got a layer of pain under everything - that's the nerves, I guess.

I no longer take any anti-inflammatories and wonder if I should? Clearly, the entire area is still not settled. Someone told me I need to get my 2 root canals capped, because until I do, I'll still feel nerve pain through there...really? I thought the nerves in the teeth were removed and the crowns were just to protect them because root canals weaken the teeth, and you don't want to lose them altogether. Anyone know?

I do see a marked difference when I first wake up in a quiet tongue, whether in the morning or from a nap - the burning is always less then. I have actually begun napping in my car during the workday because A. I'm freakin' exhausted and medicated and B. it helps with the pain. Just one more way people are going to start thinking I really am insane...if only they knew the pain I was silently enduring...

Now up to 500mg gabapentin per day (2 morning, 2 night 1 midday). I've gained some weight and feel hungry all the time; just a heads up for those of you who struggle with weight gain. Try to keep fruit and proteins around vs. chips and candy, because you WILL be hungry.

I don't get the massive headaches I once did - that was Hell. But I also don't feel much improvement since I hit about 7 months and I am still always looking for ways to avoid becoming a "lifer" with this pain. I have a new boyfriend, and he keep the music so loud in his car I can't stand it. I'm sure he thinks I'm very strange that noise bothers me so much. I haven't yet told him I'm damaged goods - suffering from a longterm injury that may never heal. That's sexy, huh?

I can carefully sleep on my left side now, but if anyone hugs me on the left side, or touches anywhere from my left side of my chin to the left forehead, I can't help wincing (which isn't very nice for the person nice enough to show affection!). My incredible, loving, happy children know to hug mommy on the RIGHT side only! They are literally the oxygen that keeps me surviving. I'm sending one off to college today and you may as well take my right arm - that's how much I'll miss her. And she's only going 1 hour from home! (tears)

Reality check

At the same time, while I whine about my suffering, last night I went to dinner (which I can mostly now do if it's not crazy loud) and they wheeled in a girl on a breathing tube. That same day, I stood in line at Walmart worrying about money, the folks in front of me had to put back 5 items so they could just afford diapers. A friend just found out he has cancer somewhere in his abdomen. This is the kind of stuff that kicks me in the ass about feeling too sorry for myself. I hope it helps you, too.

Comments?