Pain is starting to come back

[[Md...]]

Back in March I developed a rare condition called Atypical Facial Pain after a dental procedure (most likely Post Traumatic Trigeminal Neuropathy or Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain), either way it’s a type of rare neuropathy in the face, very similar to phantom limb pain where even though things have healed the brain keeps receiving pain signals.

This is a very debilitating type of pain, and on a whim i took Xanax, which brought the pain from a 10 to about a 2 or 3. I didn’t know at the time that benzos are fast acting anticonvulsants, but eventually learned that neuropathy is often treated with anticonvulsants. 

Anyways, I thought the pain was getting better, so I started tapering about a month ago, and now the pain seems to be coming back. It’s very uncomfortable and distracting. To make matters worse I am tapering off Valium, which is somewhat debilitating in its own way due to the lack of motivation and sedation I experience from it (been taking it since the summer, and the side fx have not eased up). 

I’m also tapering at a very slow pace (5% cuts every 4 weeks). 

With that being said, what would you do? Hold the taper until i found another med that might work (no guarantees there), or just stay on benzos?

If i stay on benzos, i could hit tolerance withdrawal.

If i continue to taper, the pain may continue to get worse to the point of debilitation, like it was back in March when i was bed ridden. 

I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Would be really interesting in hearing your opinions.

Thanks