Hi there:

I would bet that there isn't a person on the face of this earth who knows exactly the kind of pain you are going through. I once saw a special show on the Discovery Channel. Very hard stuff to deal with. You are a very brave person. I certainly hope the pain meds kick in for you.

I was just reading up on this subject (they used to call it tic doulereaux) or something like that. I also saw a tv show many years ago (Medical Center) and the actress had a case of this. She could not touch her lip because she would have pain beyond belief. In the show, (and I have no idea if this is done in real life, but remember this show was broadcast over 30 years ago), they implanted a receiver in her body, and then the doctor switched on a device and somehow, it short circuited the trigeminal nerve. And all was well. How marvelous for television. And how un-marvelous that they haven't figured out a way to do this in real life. Or maybe they have??

I, myself, got a little taste of your pain, when I had Bells Palsy 13 years ago, and I will never forget it.

It was on Psalm Sunday. I thought I had a stroke, went to the emergency room, and was told "No, you have Bells Palsy". Because I'm diabetic. My sugar was bad way back in those days.

I will never forget what I went through for 2 weeks with the pain on the left side of my face. I went to my doctor and he said 'your trigeminal nerve is all inflamed". I had no idea what the heck he was talking about but I remember taking strong pain meds and keeping warm compresses on it. I was up till 3 a.m. with all that pain.

I really commend you. You are in a tough situation, yet you can find the compassion to come on a message board and reach out.

I hope that someday, they really do find a way to block the pain of trigeminal neuralgia.

Sincerely,

Melody