Trigeminal Neuralgia Support Group

Case Reviews in Pain

Toothache or Trigeminal Neuralgia: Treatment Dilemmas

Christopher J. Spencer, John K. Neubert, Henry Gremillion, Joanna M. Zakrzewska,

and Richard Ohrbach

Long-term outcomes of Gamma Knife radiosurgery for classic trigeminal neuralgia: implications of treatment and critical review of the literature

urnal of Neurosurgery

November 2009 Volume 27

Microvascular decompression in patients with isolated maxillary division trigeminal neuralgia, with particular attention to venous pathology

Raymond F. Sekula Jr., M.D., Andrew M. Frederickson, B.S., Peter J. Jannetta, M.D., Sanjay Bhatia, M.D., Matthew R. Quigley, M.D., and Khaled M. Abdel Aziz, M.D.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also called tic douloureux, is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve, one of the largest nerves in the head.  The disorder causes extreme, sporadic, sudden burning or shock-like face pain that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to as long as 2 minutes per episode.  These attacks can occur in quick succession. The intensity of pain can be physically and mentally incapacitating.

The trigeminal nerve is one of 12 pairs of cranial nerves that originate at the base of the brain.  The nerve has three branches that conduct sensations from the upper, middle, and lower portions of the face, as well as the oral cavity, to the brain.  The ophthalmic, or upper, branch supplies sensation to most of the scalp, forehead, and front of the head.  The maxillary, or middle, branch passes through the cheek, upper jaw, top lip, teeth and gums, and to the side of the nose.  The nerve’s mandibular, or lower, branch passes through the lower jaw, teeth, gums, and bottom lip.  More than one nerve branch can be affected by the disorder.

At Cyberknife of Long Island, we treat all forms of cancer, including brain, spine, lung, prostate, head and neck, skin and rectal tumors.  We also treat benign conditions including painful Trigeminal Neuralgia in only one pain-free visit.  We invite you to one of our centers to see how we can make a difference.  For other radiation therapy options, please visit our other site North Shore Radiation Therapy.

Call 631-427-2273 for an Immediate CyberKnife Consultation

Because the CyberKnife is non-invasive radiation therapy, it has significantly fewer complications than traditional open surgery and can often achieve comparable or better outcomes.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes a disruption in the trigeminal nerve in the face that may result in excruciating facial pain and tooth pain. Tooth pain can have other causes and should be evaluated by a dentist.

Imagine having a jab of lightning-like pain shoot through your face when you brush your teeth or put on makeup. Sound excruciating? If you have trigeminal neuralgia, attacks of such pain may occur frequently.

You may initially experience short, mild attacks, but trigeminal neuralgia can progress, causing longer, more frequent bouts of searing pain. These attacks can be spontaneous or provoked by even mild stimulation of your face. Trigeminal neuralgia affects women more often than men, and it's more likely to occur in people who are older than 50.

Attention management as a treatment for chronic pain

Minna M. Elomaa
Pain Clinic, Dept. of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine Emergency Medicine and Pain Medicine
Helsinki University Central Hospital

Amanda C. de C. Williams
University College London, Research Dept. of Clinical, Educational,
and Health Psychology

Eija A. Kalso
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Helsinki

Abstract

Attention management is often included in cognitive-behavioural treatments (CBT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of attention management strategies in the treatment for chronic pain.

Minna M. Elomaa
Pain Clinic, Dept. of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine Emergency Medicine and Pain Medicine
Helsinki University Central Hospital

Amanda C. de C. Williams
University College London, Research Dept. of Clinical, Educational,
and Health Psychology

Eija A. Kalso
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Helsinki

Abstract

Attention management is often included in cognitive-behavioural treatments (CBT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of attention management strategies in the treatment for chronic pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureaux) is a disorder of a nerve at the side of the head, called the trigeminal nerve. This condition causes intense, stabbing or electric shock-like pain in the lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead and jaw. Although trigeminal neuralgia is not fatal, it is extremely painful.

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA HAS NOT ONLY AFFECT MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH FRIENDS AND SKEPTIC FAMILY MEMBERS, MY FAITH WAS BEING CONSTANLEY TESTED. I BEGAN THINKING I WAS REALLY CRAZY, YET CONTINUED TO PRESERVERE AND STAND MY GROUND. I REFUSED TO ALLOW DOCTOR'S TO MINIMIZE AND DISMISS MY PAIN AND THE BIZZAR SYMPTOMS THAT ACOMPANIED THE AGONIZING PAIN. I KNOW SOME ONE OUT THERE UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO FEEL HELPLESS, REJECTED, AND FORGOTTEN ABOUT.

I HAVE SEEN MORE YOUNGER PEOPLE BLOGGING ABOUT T.N. AND M.S., THESE DAYS THAN EVER BEFORE AND THE MORE I THINK ABOUT THEM THE MORE I PONDER WHAT THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND THEIR PARTNERS ARE LIKE. WE TALK ABOUT ILLNESSES / DISEASE AND THE PAIN, MENTALLY PHYSICALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY. WE HAVE DISCRPTION OF WHAT THE ILLNESS / DISEASE ARE ALL ABOUT AND HOW THEY WORK. WE INCLUDE WHAT BOTH ILLNESS ARE AND HOW IT EFFECTS OUR MINDS, BODIES AND SOUL. BUT I HARDLY SEE ANYONE SHARE OR EXPOUND UPON THE PROBLEM(S ),THAT ARE AFFECTING OUR INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS SHOPPING FOR A DIAGNOSIS, AND I WAS IN MY EARLY TWENTIES THEN. I REMEMBER HOW GREAT OF A MARRIAGE I HAD WITH MY HUSBAND THEN. PRIOR TO THE PAIN IT WAS A NORMAL EVERYDAY LIFE. I CAN VISION IT NOW, BUT OH, HOW PAINFUL ON ALL LEVELS IS IT TO RE VISIT. I LOST A PART OF MY SELF THE DAY THE PAIN CAME BACK. THAT OLD ME DIED, HOWEVER THE NEW ME IS A MUCH MORE APPRECIATIVE OF THE VERY LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE WE TAKE WE TAKE FOR GRATED EVERYDAY.

IM STILL MARRIED TO THE SAME MAN. HE'S BEEN AWESOMWE AS IS THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO SUPPORTED ME AND STOOD BY BOTH MYSELF , MY CHILDREN AND MY HUSBAND. THAT'S GREAT!!! WE ALL LEANED ON EACH OTHER, AND TOGETHER WE MADE THIS FAR AND I PLAN TO GO FARTHER AND BEAT THE PAIN! I KNOW I CAN DO IT BASED ON OUR FAITH IN GOD AND EACH OTHER.... I CANNOT SAY THAT JOURNEY WAS EASY TRAVELED, NOT BY FAR. IM SURE EACH CHILD, FRIEND AND FAMILY MEMEBER COULD GIVE THEIR INPUT TO THE AGAONY THEY TOO WENT THROUGH BECAUSE OF "MY ILLNESS" I KNOW THE IMPACT MY ILLNESSES HAVE HAD ON MY FAMILY, AS I SAW THEM SUFFER THEIR OWN AGONY AND PAIN...AND I WAS ALL MY FAULT. IT MADE ME DOUBT MYSELF AND MY CONFIDENCE WENT ALONG WITH THE PERSON I WAS. I FELT FOR MY HUSBAND MORE SO THAN ANYONE ELESE. HE WAS KIND AND PATIENT AND DIDN'T DESERVE THE AFFLICTION OF MY PAIN!  MY HUSBAND'S NEEDS WENT NEGLECTED BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF THE PAIN. WHAT CAUSED US SUCH JOY IN THE INTIMACY DEPARTMENT BECAME MY BIGGEST FEAR AND MY WORST NIGHTMARE, AND HIS TOO.