has anyone heard of trigeminal neuralgia?
The doctor said i have this and wants me to take tegretol (epilepsy treatment), but after looking it up on various websites i do not agree with my doctor. Some of the symptoms are the same but not all of them.
----------
N (Trigeminal Neuralgia) is a pain that is described as among the most acute known to mankind. TN produces excruciating, lightning strikes of facial pain, typically near the nose, lips, eyes or ears.
It is a disorder of the trigeminal nerve, which is the fifth and largest cranial nerve.
TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia / tic douloureux) is a disorder of the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve that causes episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the branches of the nerve are distributed - lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, upper jaw, and lower jaw. By many, it's called the "suicide disease". A less common form of the disorder called "Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia" may cause less intense, constant, dull burning or aching pain, sometimes with occasional electric shock-like stabs. Both forms of the disorder most often affect one side of the face, but some patients experience pain at different times on both sides. Onset of symptoms occurs most often after age 50, but cases are known in children and even infants. Something as simple and routine as brushing the teeth, putting on makeup or even a slight breeze can trigger an attack, resulting in sheer agony for the individual. Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is not fatal, but it is universally considered to be the most painful affliction known to medical practice. Initial treatment of TN is usually by means of anti-convulsant drugs, such as Tegretol or Neurontin. Some anti-depressant drugs also have significant pain relieving effects. Should medication be ineffective or if it produces undesirable side effects, neurosurgical procedures are available to relieve pressure on the nerve or to reduce nerve sensitivity. Some patients report having reduced or relieved pain by means of alternative medical therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic adjustment, self-hypnosis or meditation. (
+ info)
does anyone there have temporomadibular dysfunction along with trigeminal neuralgia ? how do u manage it ?
i'm 35 years old and suffering . taking carbamazepine 3*day which gives me stomach cramps . doc says to continue medication , cramps will go away in time .
----------
Wow, you truly do have it worse than I do. Fortunately, I only have the TMJ disorder and monthly migraines. Trigeminal Neuralgia (T.N.) is a disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve) that causes one of the worst facial pain. But a pathophysiology lecture is not an effective pain medication. The Carbatrol (Carbamazepine) is an anticonvulsant drug that can be used for both Epilepsy and T.N., not to be used for the relief of trivial aches and pains, such as common headaches. During the initial stages of Carbatrol administration, the most frequently observed adverse reactions are dizziness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and unsteadiness. I hope you started at the lowest dose, so that your body can adjust to these reactions. However, if these reactions do not subside, be sure to contact your physician.
As for the TMJ disorder, I had it soooo bad that I had to wear a splint/retainer for several months, prescribed by an orthodontist, 24/7 (I could only remove it for each post-meal brushing). When that didn't help, as I was still in tears every day from the pain, I went to see an oral surgeon to try to fix my jaws.
After the surgery, I got a book called "Heal Yourself" (by Louise Hay) and worked on the inner cause of physical ailments from the Eastern-medicine approach (which, with my Western-medicine education, I have never believed in until now). It really worked: it's not just about "relaxing," "praying," or Ohming and Ahhing to health improvement, but rather about self-affirmation. My TMJ disorder improved significantly. I haven't grind my jaws in over 6 months now. Seriously, give the Eastern-medicine a try, in combination with Western-medicine, and see if it will help you, too. Reserve surgery as your absolute last resort.
Best wishes. (
+ info)
Is there a cure for"trigeminal neuralgia"? If there is, what is it and where do I find it?
Yes there is a cure.
Cases which are resistant to the traditional medicines
Cases which are only partially better with the traditional medicines,
can be treated with homeopathy. (
+ info)
I wish to know the cause / causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia. Is it a life long illness? What the modalities Rx.
Where can one find a support group for Trigeminal Neuralgia? I know someone who is suffering from this malady, she is taking Neurontin Capsules 2 x 300mg three times daily. She has short term memory loss, also, has 2 stones weight gain over 20 months. This increase weight is causing problems to her joints and short of breathing with minimal exersion.
Anxiously awaiting a reply.
----------
Trigeminal neuralgia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Trigeminal neuralgia, or Tic Douloureux, is a neuropathic disorder of the trigeminal nerve that causes episodes of intense pain in the eyes, lips, nose, scalp, forehead, and jaw. Trigeminal neuralgia is considered by many to be among the most painful of conditions and has been labeled the "suicide disease," due to the significant numbers of people taking their own lives because they were unable to have their pain controlled with medications or surgery. An estimated one in 15,000 people suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, although numbers may be significantly higher due to frequent misdiagnosis. It usually develops after the age of 40 and affects women in a 2:1 ratio.
Contents [hide]
1 Pathophysiology
2 Symptoms
3 Treatment
4 Sources
5 External links
[edit]
Pathophysiology
Gray's FIG. 777– Detailed view of trigeminal nerve, shown in yellow.The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve, a mixed cranial nerve responsible for sensory data such as tactition (pressure), thermoception (temperature), and nociception (pain) originating from the face above the jawline; it is also responsible for the motor function of the muscles of mastication, the muscles involved in chewing but not facial expression. Several theories exist to explain the possible causes of this pain syndrome. Among the structural causes, damage to the myelin sheath of this nerve causes the electrical impulses traveling along it to be erratic or excessive, activating pain regions or deactivating pain inhibitory regions in the brain. The damage may be caused by an aneurysm (an outpouching of a blood vessel) or abnormally coursing artery compressing the nerve, most frequently at the area of its cerebellopontine nerve root; the superior cerebellar artery has been an oft-cited culprit. 2 to 4% of patients with TN, usually younger, have evidence of multiple sclerosis, which may damage either the trigeminal nerve or other related parts of the brain. Trigeminal Neuralgia may also be caused by a tumor or a traumatic event such as a car accident. When there is no structural cause, the syndrome is called idiopathic. Postherpetic Neuralgia, which occurs after shingles, may cause similar symptoms if the trigeminal nerve is affected.
[edit]
Symptoms
The episodes of pain occur paroxysmally, or suddenly, sometimes triggered by common activities or cold exposure, and are said to feel like stabbing electric shocks. Individual attacks affect one side of the face at a time, last several seconds, and may come and go throughout the day, or for periods as long as several months. Three to 5% of cases are bilateral, and attacks may increase in frequency or severity over time. Although trigeminal neuralgia is not fatal, successive recurrences may be incapacitating, and the fear of provoking an attack may make sufferers reluctant to engage in normal activities.
There is a variant of trigeminal neuralgia called, "atypical trigeminal neuralgia." In some cases of atypical trigeminal neuralgia, the sufferer experiences a severe, relentless underlying pain similar to a migraine in addition to the stabbing pains. In other cases, the pain is stabbing and intense, but may feel like burning or prickling, rather than a shock. Sometimes, the pain is a combination of shock-like sensations, migraine-like pain, and burning or prickling pain.
[edit]
Treatment
There is no cure for trigeminal neuralgia, but it can be treated with anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin, or gabapentin (Neurontin). Low doeses of some antidepressants such as Nortriptyline can also be effective in treating neuropathic pain. Surgery may be recommended, either to relieve the pressure on the nerve or to damage it further to prevent the transmission of pain. Surgery is effective in greater than 75% of people with classic trigeminal neuralgia. The nerve can also be damaged to prevent pain signal transmission using a fine beam of radiation, so-called gamma knife. This is used especially for those people who are medically unfit for a long general anaesthetic, or who are taking medications for prevention of blood clotting (e.g. warfarin). Excellent success rates using a cost effective percutaneous surgical procedure known as balloon compression have been reported. This technique has been helpful in treating the elderly for whom surgery may not be an option due to coexisting health conditions. Balloon compression is also the best choice for patients who have ophthalmic nerve pain or have experienced recurrent pain after microvascular decompression (MVD).
Atypical trigeminal neuralgia is more difficult to treat, both with medications and surgery. Surgery may result in areas of numbness bothersome to the patient and lead occasionally to "anesthesia dolorosa," which is numbness with intense pain. It should, however, be noted that many people do find dramatic relief with minimal side effects from the various surgeries that are available.
Capsaicin can be helpful in short term temporary pain control of trigeminal neuralgia. It works by over stimulating the nerve endings at the site of current trip points on the face.
[edit]
Sources
Natarajan M. Percutaneous trigeminal ganglion balloon compression : experience in 40 patients. Neurol India 2000, cited 2005 Feb 6;48:330-2.
[edit]
External links
Trigeminal Neuralgia Association
Facial neuralgia
About surgery for trigeminal neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia. MedlinePlus
Trigeminal neuralgia. eMedicine.
My Trigeminal neuralgia - a personal story.
Centre for Cranial Nerve Disorders. (
+ info)
There has got to be someone else out there with Trigeminal Neuralgia?
or a small caliber handgun I can borrow?
Just teasing, of course, but if you have it, you will understand my dark humor.
I've been seeing a neurologist and am taking a nerve med, the pain is much much better - about 2/3 better- today is a bad, bad day. I really don't think pain free and I will ever be related again. :(
I am 44- way young for this-
----------
My father has trigiminal neuralgia and has suffered greatly.But he is currently taking gabapentin and carbamezipine. It seems to keep it under control with only an occasional face pain.I hope this helps.
sincerely
verna (
+ info)
Is there a cure for Trigeminal Neuralgia?
It's a sharp, electric shock, feeling in the mouth. Extremely painful. My mom is 80 years old and the pills she's been prescribed either don't help or have her feeling naucious, dizzy or sleeping all day. Please help :(
----------
Hi Vee
You have to think out of the traditional box here. THere are many methods that can help relieve your mom, but drugs are not one of them. Here are some ideas and any one of the first 3 could heal the issue.
Pranic healing, Reiki, Herbs, Juicing, Organic Foods, Acupressure, Bodywork (Feldenkrais Method, Reflexology, Shiatsu), Chelation Therapy (to improve overall circulation and detoxify heavy metals), Chiropractic (to relieve muscle constriction), Detoxification Therapy, Energy Medicine (Light Beam Generator, Ondamed), Guided Imagery and Visualization, Hypnotherapy, Magnet Therapy, Mind/Body Medicine
Just pick one and go for it! What does she have to lose?
Best of health to both of you (
+ info)
When i drink beer it brings on my Trigeminal neuralgia has anyone had this happen or know why?
Leading research indicates that it is a blood vessel - possibly the superior cerebellar artery - compressing the microvascular of the trigeminal nerve near its connection with the pons.
The trigeminal nerve carries sensation from your face to your brain. In trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, 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
Smiling (
+ info)
does anyone there have trigeminal neuralgia, strange sensations on the face ?
what do u do to manage it ? have u tried capsaicin cream ? taking carbamazepine orally and still feeling pain and sensations..
----------
I have never dealt with Trigeminal neuralgia before but I used to know someone that did. She was put on a medication called Neurontin (which is also used to control seizures in people who have epilepsy) and had very good results. I would recommend consulting a neurologist (a doctor that diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders involving the Nervous system) if you haven't already to see what kind of suggestions they may have as well to help your pain. (
+ info)
DOES ANYONE HAVE TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA AND ITS TURNED INTO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?
Hi Paulette.
I would guess that the Trigeminal Neuralgia is more likely a symptom of the MS..The MS probably came first.. (
+ info)
Anyone have gamma knife surgery for trigeminal neuralgia?
I would really like to hear from anyone that has had this done. How did it go? I can't seem to find anything on the internet where people are rating the surgery or talking about personal experiences.
----------
I have not had this procedure, but I found an article that states the results others have had. I've enclosed this website below.
Gamma Knife offers a non-invasive alternative for many patients for whom traditional brain surgery is not an option. Gamma Knife surgery removes the physical trauma and the majority of risks associated with conventional surgery. This effective single session treatment may require an overnight hospital stay, but is often done in an outpatient surgical setting with periodic follow-up. It has been proven safe over the long term and is recognized and covered by insurance plans.
Results:
Most patients experienced their maximum symptom relief within the first 2 months following surgery.
Pain free without medication
1 year: 47% (of 118 patients available for follow-up)
2 years: 45% (of 64 patients available for follow-up)
3 years: 34% (of 39 patients available for follow-up)
Not pain free but some improvement:
1 year: 90% (of 118 patients available for follow-up)
2 years: 77% (of 64 patients available for follow-up)
3 years: 70% (of 39 patients available for follow-up)
Pain free typical pain vs. atypical pain
Typical pain: 46% (of 122 patients available for follow-up)
Atypical pain: 29% (of 14 patients available for follow-up)
I believe this will answer most of your questions. If you are facing this surgery I can understand why you want a great deal of information. It sounds very promising with excellent results. (
+ info)
We do not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content in this site. Click here for the full disclaimer.