The folks at Vanderbilt are wonderful, Diana. Dr. Robert Mericle is a neurosurgeon there and hosted a Trigeminal Neuralgia Association (TNA) regional conference there a couple of years ago. You'll want your mom to see a neurologist first, but be sure it's one who specializes in Trigeminal Neuralgia and/or the cranial nerves. Read through the "sticky threads" at the top of the page (Tips for Newcomers and the Useful Web sites links) to learn about TN. There is also an active Support Group in Nashville - see the TNA Web site http://www.fpa-support.org/ and look under Patient Support for contact information and you can call and they may have names of neurologists who specialize in TN who can better diagnose your mom.

Good luck to you all!