Trigeminal neuralgia

[saratogaman]

Anyone familiar with this condition (facial/head pain) and local, effective treatments -- pain management, acupuncture, surgery?

[brostholder]

Anyone familiar with this condition (facial/head pain) and local, effective treatments -- pain management, acupuncture, surgery?
Back in the old days in the pharmacy we used to call this "tic doleaureaux". It is caused by inflammation of the fifth cranial nerve. If I remember correctly (and I don't always) this used to be treated by injecting alcohol into the nerve to kill it. They don't do this anymore. Nowadays it is usually treated with carbamazepine (generic tegretol). Also, they sometimes use neurontin or baclofen. Surgery is also an option that has been succesful. The latest thinking on the subject is that an inflammation in a blood vessel in the cheek area has caused rubbing on the nerve.
Barry

[FVtreas]

Saratogaman,

I suffered with this affliction eight years ago for about two years. Excrutiating electric type shots of pain (mine was on the right side of my head). The pain is known to be the worst pain that anyone can endure. I tried all the medications mentioned above... carbamazepine (allergic reaction) and neurontin (not very successful and very strong medication). I did my own research and found a non-invasive "surgery" called "Gamma knife surgery." Sounds invasive but it is VERY high doses of radiation from 32 ports concentrated on the nerve causing the pain. Very easy procedure, the strongest medicine they give you is valium just to keep you calm. After the procedure i got up walked out of the hospital and drove myself home and been pain free for about 6-7 years. This Gamma knife machine is location is in Boston, New England Medical Center but i understand more and more hospitals are buying them because there has been some success treating brain tumors. There is a much more invasive procedure which involves opening the skull and packing off the 5th nerve. If the pain becomes unbearable, find a Gamma knife clinic as you can have this procedure many times before opting for the invasive surgery.
I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have as my father went through this also so i have some experience.

[saratogaman]

Thanks for this very helpful info (for my wife).
She hopes to meet with a neurologist soon.
The treatment is available in Jacksonville & St. Pete.
Stay tuned!

[Shirleevee]

Anyone familiar with this condition (facial/head pain) and local, effective treatments -- pain management, acupuncture, surgery?

I suffered with this condition for many years. Treatment for an autoimmune disease combined with Neurontin has given me much relief.

[mmfan]

Thanks for this very helpful info (for my wife).
She hopes to meet with a neurologist soon.
The treatment is available in Jacksonville & St. Pete.
Stay tuned!

I know someone that had Stereotactic Radiosurgery (also known as Gamma Knife) here in the Villages at the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Insitute, right next to the hospital. Good luck!

[graciegirl]

I have heard too that the pain is excruciating. So glad that people here are able to help with information and personal experiences.

Good luck!

Shirleevee, I am so glad you are better!

Brostholder, is that the same nerve that is affected when a person has Bells Palsy?

[taylor111947]

My father-in-law has been suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia for a couple of months. I went back over my sister-in-law's emails and I'm trying to summarize his treatments.

He has been treated with a number of pain medictions - Lidoderm patch on the affected area, fentanyl patch and some oral meds. Nothing seems to be 100% effective. Recently he has been in a nursing home and they administered some kind of electrical stimulation or therapy - that seems to have worked the best. Also, they have taught him breathing exercises that help. Because of his age and other medical problems surgery is out of the question, but I understand that is also sometimes an option. I hope you find a solution soon.

[blue72]

Has anyone received successful treatment in or near The Villages since 2010? If so, where? What method of treatment? Any information relative to this would be appreciated.
Thanks