Hey there, I'm afraid I can't help you with the answer to your questions, but I just wanted to acknowledge your post. Be sure that someone on here will come to your aid soon - this is the most caring, helpful, and knowledgeable group of peope on the web. They can always relate to your pain and your feelings - and have a wealth of knowledge unfortunately due to personal experience. I myself am diagnosed with atypical TN - with pain centered in my right ear and immediately surrounding the outside of the ear. Thankfully, mine is very sporadic thus far maybe every 3 months or so I will have an episode that lasts all day and sometimes off and on for 3 days. Heat applied to my ear helps more than any of the meds.

I am instructed to take the same medication as your wife (I can't spell it either) but only when I have an episode. It usually takes several hours to work, and not even sure if it is the meds or the heat that helps it. I went to several ENT's and several MRI scans before they decided it was TN - although I'm still not convinced. I live in the US (Nashville, Tennessee) so I'm afraid I can't help you with a reference in your area, but from what all I have read here it seems the majority of the members are located in Canada so I am sure you will get a response soon.

However, take the time to read the "stickies" on the first page of the TN posts - they contain a lot of really good information that may answer some of your questions. I wish I could be more helpful, but I just wanted to let you know that there are many here that care for you and your wife and will be happy to assist you. Be sure and read the posts by NanaCat - she is in your area and has had a very good outcome from her recent surgery.


All the best and good luck to both of you.

Rhonda