Trigeminal Neuralgia is a specific type of facial pain resultant from the trigeminal nerve. It is characterised by sharp, lancinating sensations on one side of the face only. These will last a few seconds at a time, and are often associated with a dull ache between them.
When this is diagnosed it always needs investigating further with an MRI or CT scan of the brain.
It can be caused by irritation of the trigeminal nerve by a blood vessel, and if this is found then a surgical opinion is helpful, as surgery can be curative.
Medication is with drugs for nerve pain and, uniquely, carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine medication.
How I Can Help
There is no need to suffer with debilitating pain; help is at hand! If you are suffering with pain and it will not go away despite the passage of time and using simple pain relieving medications, physiotherapy etc., then I can see you for a comprehensive evaluation of your problem.
Sometimes I alone cannot help you and I work closely with colleagues – surgeons, physiotherapists and psychologists which is important in such care – the multidisciplinary team.
