What is Trigeminal Neuralgia

8/3/2019 What is Trigeminal Neuralgia

1/13

1. Schizophrenia

2. Seniors / Aging

3. Sexual Health / STDs

4. Sleep / Sleep Disorders

5. Smoking / Quit Smoking

6. Sports Medicine / Fitness

7. Statins

8. Stem Cell Research

9. Stroke

10. Swine Flu

11. Transplants / Organ Donations

12. Tropical Diseases13. Tuberculosis

14. Urology / Nephrology

15. Vascular

16. Veterans / Ex-Servicemen

17. Veterinary

18. Viruses / Bacteria

19. Water - Air Quality / Agriculture

20. Women's Health

21.

What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia? What CausesTrigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal Neuralgia, also known as Tic Douloureaux, is a nerve disorder that causes abrupt,searing, electric-shock-like facial pains, most commonly the pain involves the lower face andjaw, but symptoms may appear near the nose, ears, eyes or lips. Many experts say trigeminalneuralgia is the most unbearably painful human condition.

Neuralgia is severe pain along the course of a nerve. The pain occurs because of a change inneurological structure or function due to irritation or damage of a nerve.

Approximately 1 in every 15,000 people is estimated to suffer from trigeminal neuralgia. About45,000 people have trigeminal neuralgia in the USA. It is thought to affect about one millionpeople worldwide.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/schizophrenia/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/seniors/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/sexual_health/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/sleep/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/smoking/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/sports_medicine/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/statins/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/stem_cell/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/stroke/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/swine-flu/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/transplants/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/tropical_diseases/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/tuberculosis/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/urology-nephrology/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/vascular/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/veterans/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/veterinary/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/infectious_diseases/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/water_quality/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/womens_health/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/index.php?page=newssectionshttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/seniors/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/sexual_health/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/sleep/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/smoking/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/sports_medicine/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/statins/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/stem_cell/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/stroke/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/swine-flu/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/transplants/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/tropical_diseases/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/tuberculosis/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/urology-nephrology/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/vascular/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/veterans/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/veterinary/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/infectious_diseases/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/water_quality/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/womens_health/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/index.php?page=newssectionshttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/schizophrenia/


2/13

Two main types of pain, nociceptive and non-nociceptivepainAn example of nociceptive pain is when something very hot touches your skin; specific painreceptors sense the heat. Nociceptive pain is when pain receptors sense temperature, vibration,

stretch, and chemicals released from damaged cells.

Interesting related article

What is pain? What causes pain?Non-nociceptive pain, or neuropathic pain, comes from within the nervous system itself. Thepain is not related to activation of pain receptor cells in any part of the body. People often referto it as pinched nerve, or trapped nerve. The nerve itself is sending pain messages either becauseit is faulty (damaged) or irritated. People with neuralgia have neuropathic pain (same meaning asnon-nociceptive pain).

People with neuralgia describe it as intense burning or stabbing pain, which often feels as if it is

shooting along the course of the affected nerve. There are two types of neuralgia - TrigeminalNeuralgia and Postherpetic Neuralgia. This article focuses on Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Description of trigeminal neuralgia (also called ticdouloureux)There is sudden and severe facial nerve pain. Patients typically describe it as a stabbing, shootingpain; like an electric-shock-like facial pain. Bouts of pain can last a few minutes. 97% of patientsexperience pain just on one side of the face, while 3% are affected on both sides.

Trigeminal neuralgia is twice as common in women as in men. It is extremely rare for peopleunder 40 to be affected, and becomes slightly more common as people get older.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a long-term condition - a chronic condition - which usually getsgradually worse.

What are the causes of trigeminal neuralgia?The human face has two trigeminal nerves, one on each side. Each nerve splits into threebranches which transmit sensations of pain and touch from the face, mouth, and teeth to thebrain.

Most cases of trigeminal neuralgia are believed to be caused by blood vessels pressing on theroot of the trigeminal nerve. This is said to make the nerve transmit pain signals which are

experienced as the stabbing pains of trigeminal neuralgia. However, experts are not completelysure of the cause. Pressure on the trigeminal nerve may also be caused by a tumor ormultiplesclerosis.

Ads by Google
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145750.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145750.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37556.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37556.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37556.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37556.phphttp://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py?contact=abg_afc&url=http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160252.php&hl=en&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adU=www.YourTicker.com/Angioprim&adT=%26quot%3BHeart+Attack+Warning%26quot%3B&adU=www.AngioCalc.com&adT=AngioCalc&adU=cowurinetherapy.in/AyurvedTreatment&adT=Migraine+Treatment&gl=IN&usg=AFQjCNEWBjMNkJY9b7stp9819orPpwvhRghttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145750.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37556.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37556.phphttp://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py?contact=abg_afc&url=http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160252.php&hl=en&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adU=www.YourTicker.com/Angioprim&adT=%26quot%3BHeart+Attack+Warning%26quot%3B&adU=www.AngioCalc.com&adT=AngioCalc&adU=cowurinetherapy.in/AyurvedTreatment&adT=Migraine+Treatment&gl=IN&usg=AFQjCNEWBjMNkJY9b7stp9819orPpwvhRg


3/13

"Heart Attack Warning" - Clean Arteries Before Surgery. Painless, Fast, Safe & Easy -www.YourTicker.com/Angioprim

AngioCalc - Cerebral Aneurysm Calculator Calculate % Packing Volume -www.AngioCalc.com

Migraine Treatment- Overcome Headache Naturally. Try Proven Nature Ayurveda Today! -cowurinetherapy.in/AyurvedTreatmentBelow is a list of known and suspected causes:

A blood vessel presses against the root of the trigeminal nerve.

Multiple sclerosis - due to demyelinization of the nerve. Trigeminal neuralgia typicallyappears in the advanced stages of multiple sclerosis.

A tumor presses against the trigeminal nerve. This is a rare cause.

Physical damage to the nerve - this may be the result of injury, a dental or surgicalprocedure, or infection.

Family history (genes, inherited) - 4.1% of patients with unilateral trigeminal neuralgia(affects just one side of the face) and 17% of those with bilateral trigeminal neuralgia(affects both sides of the face) have close relatives with the disorder. Compared to a 1 in15,000 risk in the general population, 4.1% and 17% indicate that inheritance is probablya factor.

What are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia?Typically, a patient will have one or more of these symptoms:

Intermittent twinges of mild pain.

Severe episodes of searing, shooting, jabbing pain that feel like electric shocks.

Sudden attacks of pain which are triggered by touching the face, chewing, speaking orbrushing teeth.

Spasms of pain which last from a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes.

Episodes of cluster attacks which may go on for days, weeks, months, and in some caseslonger. There may be periods without any pain.
http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=B7uWhNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCML1mZUC6tCCuRfAjbcB8JMJEAEYASCxivUBKAM4AFCHqcPB_P____8BYOXi6IPgDqABiqPr_QOyARh3d3cubWVkaWNhbG5ld3N0b2RheS5jb226AQozMDB4MjUwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqAMB6AOuB-gDswboAy31AwAAAET1AyAAAAA&num=1&sig=AOD64_3ptuPzju9sH60fPWAFxM9JtfPPlg&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.yourticker.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=B7uWhNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCML1mZUC6tCCuRfAjbcB8JMJEAEYASCxivUBKAM4AFCHqcPB_P____8BYOXi6IPgDqABiqPr_QOyARh3d3cubWVkaWNhbG5ld3N0b2RheS5jb226AQozMDB4MjUwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqAMB6AOuB-gDswboAy31AwAAAET1AyAAAAA&num=1&sig=AOD64_3ptuPzju9sH60fPWAFxM9JtfPPlg&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.yourticker.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=ByrcFNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCOKUieYBkMGuuAzAjbcB0P8uEAIYAiCxivUBKAM4AFDHv_z--P____8BYOXi6IPgDrIBGHd3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbboBCjMwMHgyNTBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCAAgHIAvLspBqoAwHoA64H6AOzBugDLfUDAAAARPUDIAAAAA&num=2&sig=AOD64_1g_vmVD4VevxphCZ9FQ_W-Grs6lA&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.AngioCalc.comhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=ByrcFNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCOKUieYBkMGuuAzAjbcB0P8uEAIYAiCxivUBKAM4AFDHv_z--P____8BYOXi6IPgDrIBGHd3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbboBCjMwMHgyNTBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCAAgHIAvLspBqoAwHoA64H6AOzBugDLfUDAAAARPUDIAAAAA&num=2&sig=AOD64_1g_vmVD4VevxphCZ9FQ_W-Grs6lA&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.AngioCalc.comhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BVyIQNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCP-owPcBz5az1RzAjbcBsPWhAhADGAMgsYr1ASgDOABQub3q2wNg5eLog-AOoAH5t93lA7IBGHd3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbboBCjMwMHgyNTBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCpAmfu1he2v1U-yAKngvkdqAMB6AOuB-gDswboAy31AwAAAET1AyAAAAA&num=3&sig=AOD64_0xzV1c8cdRs807h0UppB5o5XhI9Q&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.cowurinetherapy.in/ad/neuro?source=cowurinetherapy.inhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BVyIQNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCP-owPcBz5az1RzAjbcBsPWhAhADGAMgsYr1ASgDOABQub3q2wNg5eLog-AOoAH5t93lA7IBGHd3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbboBCjMwMHgyNTBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCpAmfu1he2v1U-yAKngvkdqAMB6AOuB-gDswboAy31AwAAAET1AyAAAAA&num=3&sig=AOD64_0xzV1c8cdRs807h0UppB5o5XhI9Q&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.cowurinetherapy.in/ad/neuro?source=cowurinetherapy.inhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BVyIQNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCP-owPcBz5az1RzAjbcBsPWhAhADGAMgsYr1ASgDOABQub3q2wNg5eLog-AOoAH5t93lA7IBGHd3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbboBCjMwMHgyNTBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCpAmfu1he2v1U-yAKngvkdqAMB6AOuB-gDswboAy31AwAAAET1AyAAAAA&num=3&sig=AOD64_0xzV1c8cdRs807h0UppB5o5XhI9Q&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.cowurinetherapy.in/ad/neuro?source=cowurinetherapy.inhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=B7uWhNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCML1mZUC6tCCuRfAjbcB8JMJEAEYASCxivUBKAM4AFCHqcPB_P____8BYOXi6IPgDqABiqPr_QOyARh3d3cubWVkaWNhbG5ld3N0b2RheS5jb226AQozMDB4MjUwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqAMB6AOuB-gDswboAy31AwAAAET1AyAAAAA&num=1&sig=AOD64_3ptuPzju9sH60fPWAFxM9JtfPPlg&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.yourticker.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=B7uWhNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCML1mZUC6tCCuRfAjbcB8JMJEAEYASCxivUBKAM4AFCHqcPB_P____8BYOXi6IPgDqABiqPr_QOyARh3d3cubWVkaWNhbG5ld3N0b2RheS5jb226AQozMDB4MjUwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqAMB6AOuB-gDswboAy31AwAAAET1AyAAAAA&num=1&sig=AOD64_3ptuPzju9sH60fPWAFxM9JtfPPlg&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.yourticker.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=ByrcFNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCOKUieYBkMGuuAzAjbcB0P8uEAIYAiCxivUBKAM4AFDHv_z--P____8BYOXi6IPgDrIBGHd3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbboBCjMwMHgyNTBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCAAgHIAvLspBqoAwHoA64H6AOzBugDLfUDAAAARPUDIAAAAA&num=2&sig=AOD64_1g_vmVD4VevxphCZ9FQ_W-Grs6lA&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.AngioCalc.comhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=ByrcFNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCOKUieYBkMGuuAzAjbcB0P8uEAIYAiCxivUBKAM4AFDHv_z--P____8BYOXi6IPgDrIBGHd3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbboBCjMwMHgyNTBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCAAgHIAvLspBqoAwHoA64H6AOzBugDLfUDAAAARPUDIAAAAA&num=2&sig=AOD64_1g_vmVD4VevxphCZ9FQ_W-Grs6lA&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.AngioCalc.comhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BVyIQNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCP-owPcBz5az1RzAjbcBsPWhAhADGAMgsYr1ASgDOABQub3q2wNg5eLog-AOoAH5t93lA7IBGHd3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbboBCjMwMHgyNTBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCpAmfu1he2v1U-yAKngvkdqAMB6AOuB-gDswboAy31AwAAAET1AyAAAAA&num=3&sig=AOD64_0xzV1c8cdRs807h0UppB5o5XhI9Q&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.cowurinetherapy.in/ad/neuro?source=cowurinetherapy.inhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BVyIQNZCyTqu6JcWHkgWz-ejbCP-owPcBz5az1RzAjbcBsPWhAhADGAMgsYr1ASgDOABQub3q2wNg5eLog-AOoAH5t93lA7IBGHd3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbboBCjMwMHgyNTBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCpAmfu1he2v1U-yAKngvkdqAMB6AOuB-gDswboAy31AwAAAET1AyAAAAA&num=3&sig=AOD64_0xzV1c8cdRs807h0UppB5o5XhI9Q&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.cowurinetherapy.in/ad/neuro?source=cowurinetherapy.in


4/13

Pain wherever the trigeminal nerve and its branches may reach, including the forehead,eyes, lips, gums, teeth, jaw and cheek.

Pain which affects one side of the face.

Pain on both sides of the face (much less common).

Pain that is focused in one spot or spreads in a wider pattern.

Attacks of pain which occur more regularly and intensely over time.

Tingling or numbness in the face before pain develops.

Some patients may experience bouts of pain regularly for days, weeks or months at a time.

Attacks of pain may occur hundreds of times each day in severe cases. Some patients may haveperiods without any symptoms which last for months or even years.

Some patients will have specific points on their face that if touched trigger attacks of pain. It isnot uncommon for many patients to avoid potential triggering activities, such as eating, brushingtheir teeth, shaving, and even talking.

Area of pain

The area of pain can be broken down into the three branches of the trigeminal nerve. In medicinethe trigeminal nerve is known as the fifth cranial nerve. It is often referred to using the Roman

numeral 'V'. Below are the three branches broken down - 'V' refers to the trigeminal nerve: V1, ophthalmic, the first branch of the trigeminal nerve.

Affects the forehead, nose and eye.

V2, maxillary, the second branch of the trigeminal nerve.Affects the lower eyelid, side of nose, cheek, gum, lip, and upper teeth.

V3, mandibular, the third branch of the trigeminal nerve.Affects the jaw, lower teeth, gum, and lower lip.

Some people with trigeminal neuralgia may have just one branch affected, while others areaffected by more branches.

The pain felt by people with Typical Trigeminal Neuralgia differs from what people withAtypical Trigeminal Neuralgia experience:

Typical trigeminal neuralgia pain (Typical facial pain)


5/13

Pain is extremely sharp, throbbing, and electric-shock-like. There is no facial weaknessor numbness.

Atypical trigeminal neuralgia pain (Atypical facial pain - ATFP)

As well as extremely sharp, throbbing, and electric-shock-like, patients may experienceother types of pain. Their condition does not have just the hallmark symptoms of classictrigeminal neuralgia pain. Facial pain is often described as burning, aching or cramping.It may occur on one side of the face, often in the region of the trigeminal nerve and canextend into the upper neck or back of the scalp. The pain can fluctuate in intensity frommild aching to a crushing or burning sensation. It is much harder to diagnose people withAtypical Trigeminal Neuralgia.

How is trigeminal neuralgia diagnosed?If the GP (general practitioner, primary care physician) believes the symptoms indicatetrigeminal neuralgia the patient's face will be examined more carefully to determine exactly

which parts are affected. The doctor will also attempt to eliminate other conditions whichsometimes have similar symptoms, such as tooth decay, a tumor, orsinusitis.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging scan) - this device uses a strong magnetic field and radiowaves to create images of the inside of the patient's brain and the trigeminal nerve - it can helpthe doctor determine whether the neuralgia is caused by another condition, such as multiplesclerosis or a tumor. Unless a tumor or multiple sclerosis is the cause, the MRI will rarely revealwhy the nerve is being irritated. It is very difficult to see the blood vessel next to the nerve root,even on a high quality MRI.

What is the treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?

Medications are typically the first treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, and most patients respondwell and require no subsequent surgery. However, some may find that their medications becomeless effective over time, or they experience undesirable side effects. In such cases injectionsand/or surgery may be required.

Medications

These medications lessen or block the pain signals sent to the brain.

Anticonvulsants - normal painkillers, such as Tylenol (paracetamol) do not relieve thepain in trigeminal neuralgia, so doctors prescribe anticonvulsant medication. Althoughthese medications are used to prevent seizures (epilepsy), they are effective in calming

down nerve impulses, which helps people with neuralgia.

The most common anticonvulsants for trigeminal neuralgia are carbamazepine (Tegretol,Carbatrol), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) and oxcarbazepine (Trileptal). Doctorssometimes prescribe lamotrigine (Lamictal) or gabapentin (Neurontin).

Sometimes the anticonvulsant begins to lose its effectiveness over time. If this happensthe doctor may either up the dosage or switch to another anticonvulsant.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149941.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8947.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/tegretol_xr.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/carbatrol.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/trileptal.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/lamictal.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/neurontin_783.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149941.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8947.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/tegretol_xr.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/carbatrol.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/trileptal.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/lamictal.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/neurontin_783.php


6/13

Side effects of anticonvulsants include:

Dizziness

Confusion

Drowsiness

Vision problems

Nausea

Suicidal thoughts - some studies indicate anticonvulsants may be linked to suicidalthoughts in some cases. The patient and doctor should monitor mood closely.

Carbamazepine allergy - some patients, especially those of Asian ancestry, may have aserious drug reaction to Carbamazepine. Genetic testing may be recommendedbeforehand.

Antispasticity agents - Baclofen is a muscle-relaxing agent which is sometimesprescribed on its own, or together with Carbamazepine or Phenytoin. Some patients mayexperience nausea, drowsiness and confusion as side effects.

Alcohol injection - this numbs the affected areas of the face and provides temporary painrelief. The doctor injects alcohol into the part of the face where the trigeminal nervebranch is causing the pain. As pain relief is only temporary, the patient may either requirefurther injections or a change of treatment later on.

Surgery for trigeminal neuralgia

Surgery for trigeminal neuralgia has two aims: 1. To stop a vein or artery from pressing againstthe trigeminal nerve. 2. To damage the trigeminal nerve so that the uncontrolled (random,chaotic) pain signals stop. Surgery that damages the nerve may cause temporary or evenpermanent facial numbness.

In many cases surgery helps, but symptoms may return months or even years later. Surgicaloptions for trigeminal neuralgia include:

Microvascular decompression (MVD) - this involves relocating or removing the bloodvessel which is pressing against the trigeminal nerve - at its root - and separating thenerve root and blood vessels.

The surgeon makes a small incision behind the ear on the same side of the head where thepain is. A small hole is made in the skull and the brain is lifted, exposing the trigeminalnerve. A pad is placed between arteries that touch the nerve and the nerve - effectivelyredirecting them away from the nerve.

If the surgeon finds no blood vessels pressing against the nerve, the nerve may be severedinstead.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/193026.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/193026.php


7/13

MVD has a good success rate at eliminating or significantly reducing pain. However, insome cases pain may recur.

MVD carries a very small risk of some hearing loss, facial weakness, facial numbness,anddouble vision. There is an extremely small risk ofstroke, and even death.

Percutaneous glycerol rhizotomy (PGR) - also called glycerol injection. A needle isinserted through the face and into an opening at the base of the skull. Imaging guides theneedle to where the three branches of the trigeminal nerve join and a small amount ofsterile glycerol is injected. Within a few hours the trigeminal nerve is damaged and thepain signals are blocked.

Most people experience significant pain relief with PGR. However, there are cases oflater recurrences of pain. Many patients experience facial tingling or numbness.

PBCTN (percutaneous balloon compression of the trigeminal nerve) - a hollowneedle is inserted through the face and into an opening in the base of the skull. A catheter(thin flexible tube) with a balloon at the end goes through the hollow of the needle. Theballoon is inflated. The pressure from the balloon damages the nerve and blocks painsignals.

PBCTN is effective in treating pain for patients with trigeminal neuralgia. In some casesthe pain comes back later. Most patients experience some facial numbness, and over halfexperience temporary or permanent weakness of the muscles used for chewing.

PSRTR (Percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency thermal rhizotomy) - thisprocedure uses electric currents to destroy specifically selected nerve fibers linked topain. First the patient is sedated. Then, a hollow needle is inserted through the face intoan opening in the skull. An electrode goes through the hollow of the needle to the nerveroot. The patient is then awakened from sedation so that he/she can tell the doctor whenelectric currents are felt - the patient will have a tingling sensation. This helps the doctorlocate the part of the nerve involved in pain. When the doctor has found it the patient issedated again. The electrode heats up and damages the targeted nerve fibers - these areknown as lesions. The doctor carries on doing this, adding more lesions if necessary, untilpain is eliminated.

Most patients undergoing PSRTR will experience some facial numbness afterwards.

PSR (partial sensory rhizotomy) - part of the trigeminal nerve at the base of the brain issevered (cut). The doctor makes an incision behind the ear, makes a small hole in theskull, and severs the nerve. As the base of the nerve is severed the patient will havepermanent facial numbness. Sometimes the doctor rubs the nerve instead of severing it.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170634.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170634.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7624.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170634.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7624.php


8/13

GKR (gamma-knife radiosurgery) - a high dose of radiation is aimed at the root of thetrigeminal nerve. This results in nerve damage, which eliminates or reduces the pain. Asthe damage from radiation is gradual, the patient will experience slowly improving painrelief over several weeks. Initial benefits may take several weeks to appear.

GKR is effective for most patients, however some may experience recurrence of painlater on.

PreventionThere are no guidelines for preventing the development of trigeminal neuralgia. However, thefollowing steps may help prevent attacks:

Eat soft foods.

Make sure your drinks and foods are not too cold or hot when you consume them.

Wash you face with lukewarm water (body temperature).

Use cotton pads when washing your face.

Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water after eating if tooth brushing triggers an attack.

Avoid known triggers as much as possible.

Written by Christian Nordqvist

View drug information on Carbatrol; Lamictal;Neurontin.

Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Additional

References Citations

Visit ourpain / anesthetics section for the latest news on this subject.There are no references listed for this article.Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLAChristian Nordqvist. "What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia? What Causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?."

Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 10 Aug. 2009. Web.

3 Nov. 2011.

APA
http://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/carbatrol.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/lamictal.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/neurontin_783.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/pain/http://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/carbatrol.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/lamictal.phphttp://www.medilexicon.com/drugs/neurontin_783.phphttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/pain/


9/13

Christian Nordqvist. (2009, August 10). "What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia? What Causes

Trigeminal Neuralgia?." Medical News Today. Retrieved from

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160252.php.

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

Top of FormTop of Form

Rate this article:(Hover over the starsthen click to rate)

Patient / Public:

1

2

3

4

5

or Health Professional:

1

2

3

4

5

160252 78

Bottom of Form

Ads by Google

Lung Cancer Causes- Are you a Health Care Professional researching Lung Cancer Causes? -www.inoncology.com

Neuropathy Pain - If you are Serious about a Solution to your Pain, Numbness, and Tingle. -www.ReBuilderMedical.ca

"Heart Attack Warning" - Clean Arteries Before Surgery. Painless, Fast, Safe & Easy -www.YourTicker.com/Angioprim

Visitor Opinions In Chronological Order (23)Trigeminal Neuralgiaposted by eva bennetton 16 Aug 2009 at 2:26 am

The pain you write about,stabbing pain, is not what i feel. If i don't take my medication the onlyway i can explain what i feel is like somebody has thrown a brick at my face so hard. It is asevere pain,and without my medication i would not be able to work or function.

|post followup | alert a moderator|
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160252.phphttp://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('public',1);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('public',2);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('public',3);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('public',4);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('public',5);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('hcp',1);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('hcp',2);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('hcp',3);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('hcp',4);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('hcp',5);http://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py?contact=abg_afc&url=http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160252.php&hl=en&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adU=www.inoncology.com&adT=Lung+Cancer+Causes&adU=www.ReBuilderMedical.ca&adT=Neuropathy+Pain&adU=www.YourTicker.com/Angioprim&adT=%26quot%3BHeart+Attack+Warning%26quot%3B&gl=IN&usg=AFQjCNHa3FlRUqoF15o6L393Wh4-Er053ghttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BaZN2N5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB6u-p58Dk7fxsjHruYqWRLDMCxABGAEgsYr1ASgDOABQrJLlhARg5eLog-AOsgEYd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tugESMzAweDI1MCwzMzZ4MjgwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqQKnFjyOYNi6PqgDAegDrgfoA7MG6AMt9QMAAABE9QMgAAAA&num=1&sig=AOD64_3UEb76uKkYULvoYUWh_72j-fRqiw&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.inoncology.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BaZN2N5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB6u-p58Dk7fxsjHruYqWRLDMCxABGAEgsYr1ASgDOABQrJLlhARg5eLog-AOsgEYd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tugESMzAweDI1MCwzMzZ4MjgwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqQKnFjyOYNi6PqgDAegDrgfoA7MG6AMt9QMAAABE9QMgAAAA&num=1&sig=AOD64_3UEb76uKkYULvoYUWh_72j-fRqiw&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.inoncology.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BaZN2N5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB6u-p58Dk7fxsjHruYqWRLDMCxABGAEgsYr1ASgDOABQrJLlhARg5eLog-AOsgEYd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tugESMzAweDI1MCwzMzZ4MjgwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqQKnFjyOYNi6PqgDAegDrgfoA7MG6AMt9QMAAABE9QMgAAAA&num=1&sig=AOD64_3UEb76uKkYULvoYUWh_72j-fRqiw&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.inoncology.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BuwzJN5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB8PVqO8B2-C57SOnrN2fFMCpBxACGAIgsYr1ASgDOABQ_Lian_n_____AWDl4uiD4A6gAbWcyOUDsgEYd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tugESMzAweDI1MCwzMzZ4MjgwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqQJ2TWhPdZSwPqgDAegDrgfoA7MG6AMt9QMAAABE9QMgAAAA&num=2&sig=AOD64_11AFa84hjeb5DBbqUw3RpFMfcI5A&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.rebuildermedical.ca/index.phphttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BuwzJN5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB8PVqO8B2-C57SOnrN2fFMCpBxACGAIgsYr1ASgDOABQ_Lian_n_____AWDl4uiD4A6gAbWcyOUDsgEYd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tugESMzAweDI1MCwzMzZ4MjgwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqQJ2TWhPdZSwPqgDAegDrgfoA7MG6AMt9QMAAABE9QMgAAAA&num=2&sig=AOD64_11AFa84hjeb5DBbqUw3RpFMfcI5A&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.rebuildermedical.ca/index.phphttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BzQz6N5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB8L1mZUC6tCCuRfAjbcB8JMJEAMYAyCxivUBKAM4AFCHqcPB_P____8BYOXi6IPgDqABiqPr_QOyARh3d3cubWVkaWNhbG5ld3N0b2RheS5jb226ARIzMDB4MjUwLDMzNngyODBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCAAgGoAwHoA64H6AOzBugDLfUDAAAARPUDIAAAAA&num=3&sig=AOD64_22G5o7yA5f1lNcZaWL9S4ypWOd2Q&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.yourticker.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BzQz6N5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB8L1mZUC6tCCuRfAjbcB8JMJEAMYAyCxivUBKAM4AFCHqcPB_P____8BYOXi6IPgDqABiqPr_QOyARh3d3cubWVkaWNhbG5ld3N0b2RheS5jb226ARIzMDB4MjUwLDMzNngyODBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCAAgGoAwHoA64H6AOzBugDLfUDAAAARPUDIAAAAA&num=3&sig=AOD64_22G5o7yA5f1lNcZaWL9S4ypWOd2Q&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.yourticker.com/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160252.phphttp://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('public',1);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('public',2);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('public',3);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('public',4);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('public',5);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('hcp',1);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('hcp',2);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('hcp',3);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('hcp',4);http://tmp/svdb3.tmp/javascript:rate('hcp',5);http://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py?contact=abg_afc&url=http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160252.php&hl=en&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adU=www.inoncology.com&adT=Lung+Cancer+Causes&adU=www.ReBuilderMedical.ca&adT=Neuropathy+Pain&adU=www.YourTicker.com/Angioprim&adT=%26quot%3BHeart+Attack+Warning%26quot%3B&gl=IN&usg=AFQjCNHa3FlRUqoF15o6L393Wh4-Er053ghttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BaZN2N5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB6u-p58Dk7fxsjHruYqWRLDMCxABGAEgsYr1ASgDOABQrJLlhARg5eLog-AOsgEYd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tugESMzAweDI1MCwzMzZ4MjgwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqQKnFjyOYNi6PqgDAegDrgfoA7MG6AMt9QMAAABE9QMgAAAA&num=1&sig=AOD64_3UEb76uKkYULvoYUWh_72j-fRqiw&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.inoncology.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=BaZN2N5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB6u-p58Dk7fxsjHruYqWRLDMCxABGAEgsYr1ASgDOABQrJLlhARg5eLog-AOsgEYd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tugESMzAweDI1MCwzMzZ4MjgwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqQKnFjyOYNi6PqgDAegDrgfoA7MG6AMt9QMAAABE9QMgAAAA&num=1&sig=AOD64_3UEb76uKkYULvoYUWh_72j-fRqiw&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.inoncology.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BuwzJN5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB8PVqO8B2-C57SOnrN2fFMCpBxACGAIgsYr1ASgDOABQ_Lian_n_____AWDl4uiD4A6gAbWcyOUDsgEYd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tugESMzAweDI1MCwzMzZ4MjgwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqQJ2TWhPdZSwPqgDAegDrgfoA7MG6AMt9QMAAABE9QMgAAAA&num=2&sig=AOD64_11AFa84hjeb5DBbqUw3RpFMfcI5A&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.rebuildermedical.ca/index.phphttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BuwzJN5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB8PVqO8B2-C57SOnrN2fFMCpBxACGAIgsYr1ASgDOABQ_Lian_n_____AWDl4uiD4A6gAbWcyOUDsgEYd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tugESMzAweDI1MCwzMzZ4MjgwX2pzyAEB2gEzaHR0cDovL3d3dy5tZWRpY2FsbmV3c3RvZGF5LmNvbS9hcnRpY2xlcy8xNjAyNTIucGhwgAIBqQJ2TWhPdZSwPqgDAegDrgfoA7MG6AMt9QMAAABE9QMgAAAA&num=2&sig=AOD64_11AFa84hjeb5DBbqUw3RpFMfcI5A&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.rebuildermedical.ca/index.phphttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BzQz6N5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB8L1mZUC6tCCuRfAjbcB8JMJEAMYAyCxivUBKAM4AFCHqcPB_P____8BYOXi6IPgDqABiqPr_QOyARh3d3cubWVkaWNhbG5ld3N0b2RheS5jb226ARIzMDB4MjUwLDMzNngyODBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCAAgGoAwHoA64H6AOzBugDLfUDAAAARPUDIAAAAA&num=3&sig=AOD64_22G5o7yA5f1lNcZaWL9S4ypWOd2Q&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.yourticker.com/http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BzQz6N5CyTrDbEITrkAXZuuGdB8L1mZUC6tCCuRfAjbcB8JMJEAMYAyCxivUBKAM4AFCHqcPB_P____8BYOXi6IPgDqABiqPr_QOyARh3d3cubWVkaWNhbG5ld3N0b2RheS5jb226ARIzMDB4MjUwLDMzNngyODBfanPIAQHaATNodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm1lZGljYWxuZXdzdG9kYXkuY29tL2FydGljbGVzLzE2MDI1Mi5waHCAAgGoAwHoA64H6AOzBugDLfUDAAAARPUDIAAAAA&num=3&sig=AOD64_22G5o7yA5f1lNcZaWL9S4ypWOd2Q&client=ca-pub-1971793357249522&adurl=http://www.yourticker.com/


10/13

Scary Pain - Re: What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia? WhatCauses Trigeminal Neuralgia?posted byBarbi O'Hanna-Embody on 21 May 2010 at 3:16 pm

OK. After a week of pain which started in my ear, and chin. The doctors thought it was an ear

infection, and treated my chin for dermatitis. Jeez. After really trying to pin point the pain I wasfeeling, I googled Facial nerve pain and Trigeminal neuralgia came up. I read all about it and thisis exactly what I am feeling. I go back to my PCP Monday to have him document this "new"condition and see where to go from here. This is not fun. I have already missed 3 days of work,due to the debilitating pain in my face and ear.To be continued.


Face Pain - like electric shocksposted bySally on 14 Jul 2010 at 11:40 am

I was diagnosed with TN around 2 years ago. I initially thought it was tooth ache and went to thedentist and had root canal treatment. After the injections had worn off I was left with the mostincredible pain which led up to the ear and all around the jaw. I am taking 5 200mg Tegretol plus3 Lyrica a day on top of my normal pain killers for arthritis. I did buy a tens machine andinitially, it did help. The pain however, is similar to electric shocks and now the tens machine isno use at all. My consultant has now referred me to a pain clinic to discuss surgery. I amabsolutely terrified and if anyone out there has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.


help for youposted by nickon 26 Aug 2010 at 2:57 pm

listen..please ..I had this illness for 10 years..it is a living hell and gets worse...it is curable...Ihave no pain now..at all..the nhs in uk wouldnt help..they wouldnt do surgery..I moved to spainand paid into their health service while very ill and having to work to pay...as soon as I could usetheir health service they sent me to hospital..the hospital de la ribera in near valencia...they curedme on the second surgical op...I have my life back...this is the only real cure I know of....I hopethis message finds you..NIc x


use of alcoholic injection?posted byDr keshudass luhano on 23 Nov 2010 at 9:35 am

my question is what is use of alcoholic injection to treat the trigeminal neuralgia ?


11/13


young sufferer

posted byRebecca on 3 Dec 2010 at 12:14 am

I'm 26 and was just diagnosed. Mine also started as what I thought was a toothache. I have had 3children and this is the worst pain I have felt in my life, hands down. My meds don't seem to bedoing anything yet, can anyone please help me on ways to ease the pain at home??


Painposted by kathy on 6 Jan 2011 at 9:21 am

I have the whole side of my face pain..and starting down my neck. What I wonder is if all theyears I battled migraines, if it was this monster lurking in the midst. I am so sad. It looks like thereality of no cure and only management of pain. I wish Doctor's had really listened years ago.


Trigeminal Neuralgia since 3 yearsposted byMyint Myint Zin on 6 Jan 2011 at 11:14 pm

I felt this severe, electric shock like a stabbing pain on right cheek within these days but I had

such illness since 3 years back and took treatment with Tegretol, Neurontin. It disappear for oneand half year and I would like to know how long I have to take those pills. What type ofanalgesic to relief severe pain? Please help me from suffering from this disease.


Neuralgia 5 yearsposted byJoyce Videlingon 28 Jan 2011 at 4:40 pm

I suffered very badly from neuralgia pain for a period of 5 years. I was put on Tegretol at a high

dose but the high doses made me feel like a zombie but in the end was not successful at reducingthe pain.I had an operation called MVD ( Microvascular decompression), you can ask your surgeon aboutit and for the last 2 years now I have not suffered from any pain; oh, what a relief



12/13

Neuralgiaposted byJoyce Videlingon 31 Jan 2011 at 3:26 am

You are taking too much of a high dose of Tegretol far in excess(2200)mgs. I think it is abouttime you think of surgery.MVD ( microvascular decompression) is the treatment of choice and

the pain disappears just after the op. I have had the op after suffering for 6 years and taking teg atthe most optimum dosage but did not work. I have now been pain free for 3 years. Talk to yoursurgeon about it if you could be a good candidate.


First 10 opinions shown. For all opinions, click through to the full thread.

Treatment

The first treatment for trigeminal neuralgia usually is carbamazepine (Tegretol and others).Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medication that decreases the ability of the trigeminal nerve

to fire off the nerve impulses that cause facial pain. If carbamazepine is not effective, otherpossible drug choices include phenytoin (Dilantin), gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine(Lamictal), topiramate (Topamax), and valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote). A muscle relaxantsuch as baclofen (Lioresal) can be tried alone or in combination with an anticonvulsant. Narcoticpain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone or morphine (several brand names), may betaken briefly for severe episodes of pain.

Some of these medications carry the risk of unpleasant side effects, including drowsiness, liverproblems, blood disorders, nausea and dizziness. For this reason, people taking any of thesemedications may be monitored with frequent follow-up visits and periodic blood tests. After afew pain-free months, your doctor may attempt to decrease the dose of the medication graduallyor discontinue it. This is done to limit the risk of side effects and to determine whether your

trigeminal neuralgia has gone away on its own.If medication does not stop your pain or if you cannot tolerate the side effects of medication,then your doctor may suggest one of the following treatment options:

Rhizolysis In this approach, part of the trigeminal nerve is inactivated temporarily byusing one of the following methods: a heated probe, an injection of the chemical glycerolor a tiny balloon that is inflated near the nerve to compress it. During the procedure aneedle or a tiny hollow tube called a trocar is inserted through the skin of your cheek.These procedures provide immediate relief in up to 99% of patients, but 25% to 50% ofpeople will have the problem return during the next several years.

Stereotactic radiosurgery This form of radiation therapy uses a linear accelerator or agamma knife to inactivate part of the trigeminal nerve. After your head is positioned

carefully in a special head frame, many tiny beams of radiation are aimed precisely at thepart of the trigeminal nerve that must be inactivated. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a fairlynew treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia, and its long-term success rate is still beingevaluated.

Microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve In this delicate surgicalprocedure, a surgeon carefully repositions the blood vessel that is pressing on yourtrigeminal nerve near your brain. Because this procedure involves opening your skull, theideal candidate for this procedure is someone who is generally healthy and younger than
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/opinions/41294/http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/opinions/41294/


13/13

65. Overall, the immediate success rate is approximately 90%, and 70% to 80% ofpatients have long-term relief. Microvascular decompression may be effective forpatients who have not had success with one of the less invasive surgeries.

Documents

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia