Claire & Carly,

I understand how you feel

I'm 21, I've had TN for last 4 1/2 years. Everyone tolarates meds and surgery differently. My opinion would be to go for surgery because you're young! I have had 2 cryosurgeries, 1 lot of glycerol injections and had an MVD in feb 08. My pain is re-occurring and I haven't yet had any luck with meds or surgery. I'm on the waiting list for a balloon compression and if there is not luck then I'll have a repeat MVD.

I had very bad reactions to tegretol, lamotrigine and baclofen. I currently take 4000mg Neurtontin & 400mg Epilim daily. You may find a med that works for you however it is often a matter of trial and error, there are the risks of side effects and it may not even help at all.

There are also plenty of alternative therapies that you may find help e.g- accupuncture, visitng a naturopath or chyropractor, homeopathy, physical therapy, cranio-sacral massage. Some of these are helpful however most of them involve facial contact so you need to weigh up the pros and cons.

Have you got a copy of striking back???

I hope you find relief soon, please let us know how you get on

Jen