Hi, Turner,

I don't know if you may have visited the Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) forum here that Crystalina mentioned; this is the link in case you want to check it out (again, maybe you have ):

http://forums.braintalk2.org/forumdisplay.php?f=26

A neurosurgeon diagnosed mine, and a neurologist treats.

She prescribed Relpax, which is most widely known for migraines. I hadn't heard of Relpax previously. It's rather expensive (without insurance - in the states - helping out; it would have been $85 for 6 tablets ). The medication works great for me. (While on Tegretol, I ended up in the E.R.)

At the time Relpax was prescribed for me, in 2004, I'd only seen where one other person had written about Relpax being used for TN.

I don't know if there is an end in sight - as far as the TN goes - Turner; I'd be lying if I acted as if I could predict for anyone. What I can say is: Don't lose hope!

When I wrote about my TN, and how I ended up with it, I was astonished by LisaL-TOS's reply; it really helped me think that, yes, an end in sight is totally possible:

http://forums.braintalk2.org/showthread.php?t=239


There is something that I'd never considered until speaking with my physician a couple weeks ago about some of the cranial/facial pain. Because it is so difficult to know what's what at times, I was telling my doctor about a sudden, stabbing pain I feel in my ears sometimes. I have to place the palm of my hand against it, so that it's like it's suctioning all the air out of it to make the pain go away. I was shocked when my doc told me that that pain is from my allergies! I thought, for so, long that maybe it was related to the TN. She said, nope. With congestion, it also affects tubes in the ears.


Anyway... I mostly wanted to let you know about the medication I take for TN since you asked folks if we'd mind sharing and to also wish you and your husband the best with upcoming appointments.