Do you need surgery to remove Trigeminal Neuralgia? What can Trigeminal Neuralgia do to you?
I have recently found out a family member has Trigeminal Neuralgia. I do not know much about this, or what could happed to her. If anyone could explain, I would be very happy.
Thank you very much. :)
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The trigeminal nerve carries sensation from your face to your brain. In trigeminal neuralgia the nerve's function is disrupted. Usually, the problem is contact between a normal artery or vein and the trigeminal nerve, at the base of your brain. This contact puts pressure on the nerve and causes it to malfunction.
Trigeminal neuralgia can occur as a result of aging, or it can be related to multiple sclerosis or a similar disorder that damages the myelin sheath protecting certain nerves. Less commonly, trigeminal neuralgia can be caused by a tumor compressing the trigeminal nerve. In other cases, a cause cannot be found.
A variety of triggers may set off the pain of trigeminal neuralgia, including: Shaving, Stroking your face, Eating , Drinking, Brushing your teeth, Talking, Putting on makeup, Encountering a breeze, or Smiling.
It is treated with medications first, anticonvulsant agents, then antispasticity agents. If that doesn't work then it is treated with alcohol injection. Finally, if the previous therapies fail, they might try glycerol injections. If all fails then one of 4 surgical techniques, or radiation or a combination of therapies might be tried.
Some other methods for controlling the symptoms are: Acupuncture, Biofeedback, Vitamin therapy, Nutritional therapy, and Electrical stimulation of nerves.
For additional infor mation and support try this site:
http://www.fpa-support.org/ (
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Ways to relieve the pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
I have a disorder known as trigeminal neuralgia... it is extremely painful!
I was wondering if anyone knows of ways to relieve the pain?
I currently use anti-convulsants and 'tons' of Tylenol (with doctor's OK, that is!)Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
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DEAR
Following is the inf I got for you if there is any other help I can get for I will keep intouch with you(
[email protected])
MAMA IS MY NICK NAME
Trignotab is a completely guaranteed and safe herbal treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia. Trignotab works in two ways: firstly, it works to reduce pain in the trigeminal nerve and secondly it slowly helps the body repair damaged nerve cells. However, if the damage is due to an anatomical reason e.g. misplaced jaw etc, then it is not possible for Trignotab to repair it. However, Trignotab will still be helpful by significantly reducing pain.
Trignotab consists of a formulation consisting of purely natural ingredients based on the Unani (Greek) system of herbal medicine blended together in a specific proportion to fight and treat Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Thousands of patients have been successfully treated with Trignotab over the past few years. Trignotab is a completely outstanding product and there is absolutely no alternative to its unique formula. Had the effectiveness of Trignotab not been proven beyond any doubt, it would not be possible for us to make such a bold claim.
The main ingredients of Trignotab tablets are:
Strychnos Nux Vomica
Piper Nigrum
Salajeet Musaffa
Iron Compund
The exact proportion of each ingredient has been deliberately kept secret to avoid imitations of our confidential formula.
Treatment with Trignotab is very rapid given the nature of the condition and obvious results can be noticed within one month (30 days) of use. A slightly longer period is required for serious cases and treatment can last up to two months (60 days).
Trignotab is taken in an oral pill form and the normal dosage is two tablets twice a day, mornings and evenings. There are absolutely no side effects and the treatment is sold over the counter.
Trignotab comes for a fixed price of $59 for a one month supply (120 Tablets) and can be ordered from our website by clicking here. We do not charge any shipping price.
Treatment with Trignotab is fully guaranteed. We are so confidant about the effectiveness of Trignotab, that in the rare case you remain unsatisfied with the improvement in your condition, you may simply return the empty packaging and claim a refund of the amount you paid us. Since all payments are made via credit card directly to CCNOW (our credit card processing company), your money is completely safe. CCNOW will ensure that we honor all claims for refund. The only condition is that you have to be persistent in your treatment with Trignotab for one month (30 days). Skipping pills or being irregular will only delay the treatment.
.......................... (
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Is Migraineous Neuralgia a component of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Are "Cluster Headaches" or Migraineous Neuralgia one of the three components of Trigeminal Neuralgia?
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Trust me when i say if you suffered from this suicide disease you would know about it.
I've had it for 3 years now and when I mean its a whole new level of pain as in sometimes curling in a ball and crying in the middle of the shops, i really do mean it.
If you had it you would know about it. (
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Can trigeminal neuralgia affect decision making?
My wife( very smart by the way) was diagnosed 6 years ago. Her decision making is not good concerning daily, weekly, monthly tasks. In other words she forgets alot.
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Is she on Tegretol, Neurontin, or another anti-convulsant for the TN? If so, then that's probably what's doing it to her, more than the TN itself. Those drugs are *notorious* for wreaking holy havoc with ones memory. Check out any trigeminal neuralgia support group online, and you'll see lots of people complaining and commiserating with each other about the memory loss and "brain fog" caused by these drugs.
I also have TN, and I've been having terrible memory problems as well, especially now that I've had to go to a higher dose to control the pain. I also feel "dumbed down" a lot of the time, which is scary and frustrating, like I've suddenly stumbled into the lead role of "Flowers For Algernon." Brrrrr.
What's helped me a lot is to start keeping one of those Day Runner type notebooks (the kind with not only weekly and monthly calendar sheets, but also phone/address and "note" sheets in it) on me at all times, and to write *everything* down in it promptly -- even things I think I'll be able to remember. It makes me feel a little silly sometimes, since I've been out of work and so don't really feel like I should need one of these big old yuppified corporate day planners, but it's really been a lifesaver for me.
Your wife could probably also use a lot of emotional support. The 'dumbing down' effect can be really morale-destroying, even worse in some ways than the pain. But I'm sure you know that. :) (
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Is trigeminal neuralgia curable or is it just something that has to be treated for the rest of a person life?
Trigeinal Neuralgia is a disfunction in the brain nerve and causes ( to me) severe pain on my face that is unbearable for a limited amount of time. The pain comes and goes. Sometimes it is gone for several months then it will come back strong and last a short period or a long period of time. I am in the military but they won't relate this to being cause from banging my head on the trucks whenever I was driving or on the passenger side while I was in Iraq on those rough road conditions.
I am currently taking a heavy dosage of Gabopentin to try to stop the pain from occuring often.
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If you type in "trigeminal neuralgia surgery" in Yahoo! search, you will come up with some potentially useful information. Sometimes medications will help, but they may not be a cure-all. There is a procedure called microvascular decompression, where a tiny piece of felt is placed between the trigeminal nerve and underlying vascular structures, relieving the compression often responsible for the neuralgia. One website with information about this is:
www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/minc/cranialnerve/disorders/trigeminal_neuralgia.html. (
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Do you know of any effective treatments for trigeminal neuralgia?
My mom is taking Lyrica and it doesn't work. She is in a lot of pain, so I was wondering if anyone has any ideas.
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Care in the ED is generally limited to correct identification of trigeminal neuralgia (TN),consideration of alternative diagnosis, pain relief, and coordination of follow-up care.
Because of the time-limited character of pain with typical trigeminal neuralgia, patients often do not present to the ED for pain medication.
In some patients, the typically episodic pain becomes constant or so frequent as to be debilitating.
Infusion of phenytoin is reportedly successful in interrupting such episodes, but the value of this therapy is anecdotal.
Coordinate therapy for refractory pain of trigeminal neuralgia with the primary care physician or consultants.
Patients with a typical history and normal physical examination may be referred to their primary care physician for further care. Neurologic or neurosurgical consultations may be helpful, particularly if atypical features are present.
Referral to a neurologist may be helpful if the diagnosis is in doubt.
Referral to a neurosurgeon may be indicated for patients whose conditions prove refractory to medical treatment. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of a portion of the trigeminal ganglion is commonly performed, as are anesthetic blocks of the trigeminal ganglion. Less commonly performed is decompression of the region of trigeminal root entry of impinging vascular structures.
Comprehensive pain center follow-up care may be helpful.
Medication
The goal of pharmacologic therapy is to reduce pain. Carbamazepine is regarded by most as the medical treatment of choice. Some advocate a trial of baclofen since it has fewer adverse effects. The synergistic combination of carbamazepine and baclofen may provide relief from episodic pain though convincing clinical evidence is weak at best.
Other anticonvulsants including phenytoin, oxcarbazepine, clonazepam, lamotrigine, valproic acid, and gabapentin are reportedly beneficial in some patients; however, controlled trials have not been performed. The American Academy of Neurology published a practice parameter that concluded that carbamazepine is effective in controlling pain of patients with classic trigeminal neuralgia, and that oxcarbazepine is probably effective. Baclofen, lamotrigine, and pimozide were rated as possibly effective. The practice parameter stated that there was insufficient evidence to support or refute efficacy of clonazepam, gabapentin, phenytoin, tizanidine, topical capsaicin, or valproate for pain control in patients with classic trigeminal neuralgia.1 The writing group was unable to find sufficient evidence to support or refute the use of intravenous medications in acute exacerbations of trigeminal neuralgia.
Anticonvulsants
These agents may help control paroxysmal pain by limiting the aberrant transmission of nerve impulses.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Anticonvulsant effective in the treatment of psychomotor and grand mal seizure. DOC for TN. May reduce polysynaptic responses and block post-tetanic potentiation.
Once patient responds to therapy, attempt to reduce dose to minimum effective level, or attempt to discontinue at 3-mo intervals.
Dosing
Interactions
Contraindications
Precautions
Adult
100 mg PO bid on day 1; increase by up to 200 mg/d using 100-mg increments q12h prn; not to exceed 1200 mg/d
Pediatric
<12 years: Not established
>12 years: Administer as in adults
Skeletal muscle relaxants
These agents are useful in the treatment of TN, although not FDA-approved for this indication. They have CNS depressant properties as indicated by the production of sedation with somnolence, ataxia, and respiratory and cardiovascular depression.
most often used after therapy with carbamazepine has been initiated. Effects may be synergistic with those of carbamazepine. May induce hyperpolarization of afferent terminals and may inhibit both monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes at spinal level. As a structural analog of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, may stimulate GABA-B receptor subtype.
Dosing
Interactions
Contraindications
Precautions
Adult
5 mg/d PO tid on days 1-3; followed by 10 mg/d PO tid on days 4-6; followed by 15 mg/d PO tid on days 7-9; followed by 20 mg/d PO tid on days 10-12; additional increases may be necessary; not to exceed 80 mg/d divided qid (
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What is the success rate of motor cortex stimulation when a person has trigeminal neuralgia?
I'm just wondering the success rate of it, and any other information about it.
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It would be very difficult to determine a success rate for an individual person. I have included several sites that might be some help to you.
http://facial-neuralgia.org/treatments/surgical/neurostimulation.html
http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/300_399/0374.html
http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3162
http://www.umanitoba.ca/cranial_nerves/trigeminal_neuralgia/manuscript/types.html
Good luck with everything.pp (
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Why are electrical impulses in Trigeminal Neuralgia plainful, and not in epilepsy?
I need an answer from someone who has really studied this.
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Trigeminal nerve is a sensory nerve. In the area supplied by it, pain-sensitivity is higher in cases of trigeminal neuralgia. That is the reason the stimulation is painful.
In epilepsy, motor nervous system is involved, pain is not the issue here.
Hope I helped.
Good luck! (
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What treatments have you had for trigeminal neuralgia?
I have facial pain that is triggered by hot,cold,and pressure. It has gotten so bad that even if i touch my face it triggers pain. I just need to know what treatments have been suggested for others.
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What Is It?
Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, is a disorder of one of the nerves in the face that causes brief, shock-like pain, usually on one side of the jaw, cheek or mouth. This disorder involves the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve, which is responsible for sending impulses to the brain from the face, jaw, gums, forehead and the area around the eyes.
The cause of trigeminal neuralgia is not always known. The condition can occur as a result of multiple sclerosis, a brain tumor or another brain disease, such as an aneurysm. However, in 90% of cases, there is no serious brain disease. One widely held theory is that the problem is caused by an artery pressing on the trigeminal nerve where it exits the brain. A computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be done to check for a brain lesion.
Trigeminal neuralgia is rarely seen in people under the age of 50. When it does occur in younger people, the cause is more likely to be a tumor, aneurysm or multiple sclerosis.
Symptoms
Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by a sudden, severe, electric-shock-like attack of pain on one side of the face. The pain generally lasts for several seconds to a minute and then disappears. Shaving, showering, eating, speaking or even exposure to wind can trigger a painful episode, and patients often protect the trigger zone. Trigger zones usually are found around the cheek, nose, lips or inside the mouth. When the trigger zone is inside the mouth, it often is confused with a toothache.
Diagnosis
Trigeminal neuralgia is diagnosed based on the symptoms, including a history of characteristic pain along the trigeminal nerve. An MRI scan should be done to look for other possible conditions, such as a tumor, aneurysm or multiple sclerosis.
Expected Duration
Trigeminal neuralgia attacks last for several seconds to a minute and then totally disappear, but they may be repeated one after another. The number of attacks can vary from one or two per day to several per minute throughout the day. Episodes of attacks can last for days, weeks or months at a time and then disappear for extended periods of time. People with severe trigeminal neuralgia can be significantly disabled by the attacks.
Treatment
A number of drugs can help to prevent attacks, including oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Atretol, Carbatrol, Epitol), gabapentin (Neurontin) and phenytoin (Dilantin and other brand names). However, these drugs have the potential for serious side effects, and a dentist or physician should monitor their use. These medications sometimes are used in combination with other drugs, such as baclofen (Lioresal), to help achieve pain relief. Some of these medications require blood tests while you are taking them to monitor liver function and the level of the drug in your blood.
If medication fails to provide relief, your doctor may refer you to a neurosurgeon to talk about surgical treatment options.
When To Call A Professional
If you are experiencing pain characteristic of trigeminal neuralgia (electric-shock-like pain on one side of the jaw or cheek), you should see your dentist or physician immediately.
Prognosis
Trigeminal neuralgia is not a life-threatening condition unless it is caused by a tumor, aneurysm or other brain disease. Yet, the condition can be incapacitating. However, most cases can be controlled with medication, and/or surgery.
Additional Info
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
Phone: (301) 496-5751
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/ (
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Is it possible to get prescribed a narcotic painkiller long-term for trigeminal neuralgia?
They are the only thing that I have taken that really takes away the pain. I know doctor's are apprehensive about prescribing them at all. So is it even possible to get them long term?
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You will probably have to go to a pain management clinic...the up and coming money grabbers these days. They monitor your pain, make you take urine tests at random, and call you in for pill counts. It's worth a try, life is to short for pain. (
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