WILLPOWER MELTDOWN SOMETIMES

A woman in her thirties visited the outpatient clinic three years ago, complaining of left facial pain. It was trigeminal neuralgia caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve with the cerebral artery. I prescribed Tegretol. It was very effective, but she had to quit due to allergic side effects. Then, I prescribed Topamax. It was effective without side effects. Her symptoms resolved. She had not returned to the clinic. A week ago she called the clinic and said she presented with the same symptoms again and wanted to appoint. Last Monday I met her for the first time in three years. I explained the same things as three years ago. She has been living in Japan for five years. I don’t remember where she is from. It is difficult and stressful for her to get appointments because she has to talk on the phone in Japanese. After I explained, she didn’t seem to be satisfied and tell enough what she wanted to say. She wiped away tears.