Welcome to the Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) Forum,
[Please use this thread to post useful tips for newcomers with TN or related neuropathic facial pain. If you are a newcomer ("newbie"), please don't post your questions or introduction in this thread. After reading through this thread and the
Useful Sites sticky at the top of the forum page, please start a new thread introducing yourself and asking any questions you still have. Thank you and welcome!]
We always start our first posts to newcomers with a welcome and, though we're sorry you're here because it means you're in pain and/or have just been diagnosed with TN or one of its variations, we're glad you found us because you'll find a wealth of information, support, and understanding here and most of all - you'll realize you're not alone.
Please don't ask questions in this thread - please start a new thread with your introduction and questions.
The first thing to do is to visit the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association (TNA) Website at the following link (click on the line below to bring up the TNA home page in a new window)-
tna-support.org
There's a menu on the left of the page that can take you to a LOT of information. Read "About TN," so you know what TN is, and then you can order the book
Striking Back! The Trigeminal Neuralgia and Face Pain Handbook by George Weigel (former TN sufferer) and Ken Casey, M.D., a neurosurgeon who specializes in treating face pain. You can order it by calling the TNA at 800-923-3608 or 352-331-7009 or online at the TNA Store link below. It's also sold online by Amazon.com and Borders, but be sure you're getting the
2004 edition (528 pages) of
The Trigeminal Neuralgia and Face Pain Handbook.
https://www.tna-support.org/newlook/...literature.htm
(NOTE: Be careful if you order from other than the TNA as there are a number of books with "Striking Back" in the beginning of the title and the old 2000 edition is still available used, but it's only half the info.)
This book is a MUST READ for anyone with neuropathic facial pain. It was updated in 2004 and doubled in size and the information is invaluable. It's $24.95 (US) + S&H as of this writing.
The TNA also maintains a Patient Registry where they gather data on TN and related facial pain. Please visit the Patient Registry and fill out the form electronically or print it out and send it in. There's a Support Group area where you can download lists of Support Groups and Telephone contacts (for US, Canada, UK, Australia and a number of other countries). You can call the 800 numbers in the Contact Info for help in finding TN-literate doctors, neuros, dentists, info about TN.
Be sure to visit the
Useful Sites sticky thread. That has all kinds of information in it about treatments, doctors, tutorials, etc. and many of those threads may help answer your initial questions. A few websites that are especially good for newbies that describe TN and its treatments (medical and surgical) are -
http://www.umanitoba.ca/cranial_nerv.../tutorial.html
Be sure to check out the interactive tutorial and the complete guide to TN in the site above.
http://www.uscneurosurgery.com/Disor...euralgia1.html
http://facial-neuralgia.org/
Once you've read through some of the introductory websites above, then start a new thread introducing yourself to the family here, tell us your story and ask whatever questions you still have. You'll find lots of help and support here so welcome to the family.
