Trigeminal Neuralgia?

I was just diagnosed with this and was wondering if there was anyone out there that has the same thing.





It is on the right side, heavy constant pain, cannot chew on that side of my mouth. Finally ruled out that there was no prob with teeth and my Dr. has now put me on Lyrica.





I guess I just want to hear from other's that have this, or know someone who does, and how you/they deal with it...





Thanks!

Trigeminal Neuralgia?
You have my sympathy, medication doesnt often have any effect. I hope the Lyrica does it for you.
Reply:a friend of mine had surgery to actually cut the trigeminal nerve, her pain was so terrible that no medications helped. So, the left side of her face is paralyzed, but she has no more pain. If the lyrica works for you, count yourself lucky.
Reply:Here are some alternatives.


There are centers in the USA that specialize in Trigeminal Neuralgia treatment. They are your best bet for finding what is best for you.





"The mechanism of pain production remains controversial. One theory suggests that peripheral injury or disease of the trigeminal nerve increases afferent firing in the nerve perhaps by ephaptic transmission between afferent unmyelinated axons and partially damaged myelinated axons; failure of central inhibitory mechanisms may also be involved. Blood vessel-nerve cross compression, aneurysms, chronic meningeal inflammation, tumors, or other lesions may irritate trigeminal nerve roots along the pons. Uncommonly, an area of demyelination, such as may occur with multiple sclerosis, may be the precipitant. In some cases, no vascular or other lesion is identified rendering the etiology unknown. Development of trigeminal neuralgia in a young person (%26lt;45 years) raises possibility of multiple sclerosis, which should be investigated. Thus, although trigeminal neuralgia typically is caused by a dysfunction in the peripheral nervous system (the roots or trigeminal nerve itself), a lesion within the central nervous system may rarely cause similar problems.





Medical Management





The goal of pharmacologic therapy is to reduce pain. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is regarded as the most effective medical treatment. Additional agents that may benefit selected patients include phenytoin (Dilantin), baclofen, gabapentin (Neurontin), Trileptol and Klonazepin.





Surgical Management





Prior to considering surgery, all trigeminal neuralgia patients should have a MRI, with close attention being paid to the posterior fossa. Imaging is performed to rule out other causes of compression of the trigeminal nerve such as mass lesions, large ectatic vessels, or other vascular malformations.





The surgical options for trigeminal neuralgia include peripheral nerve blocks or ablation, gasserian ganglion and retrogasserian ablative (needle) procedures, craniotomy followed by microvascular decompression (MVD), and stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife®).





Percutaneous transovale needle techniques include radiofrequency trigeminal electrocoagulation, glycerol rhizotomy, and balloon microcompression. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is often preferred for younger patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia. High initial success rates (%26gt;90%) have led to the widespread use of this procedure. This procedure provides treatment of the cause of trigeminal neuralgia in many patients. Percutaneous techniques are advocated for elderly patients, patients with multiple sclerosis, patients with recurrent pain after MVD, and patients with impaired hearing on the other side, however some authors recommend needle techniques as first surgical treatment for many patients. It is generally agreed that MVD provides the longest duration of pain relief while preserving facial sensation. In experienced hands, MVD can be performed with low morbidity and mortality. Most authors offer MVD to young patients with trigeminal neuralgia."





You can look up the centers that specialize in treatment on the internet, below is one to start.





It would be wise to investigate your alternatives now, if you have the means to obtain a specialty center evaluation of your condition it is wise to pursue it. ( There are down sides to the long term use of Lyrica.) Then you are able to pick the best for yourself.



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