Quote:
Originally Posted by wavegeek
This is a bit of an odd or morbid question but I was wondering if someone might have an answer. I have recently been diagnosed with trigeminal neuropathy not the classic type TN or ATN. I have constant variable throbbing in my upper molar region on both sides of my face, caused by dental injury. I am trying to find a med that will work but also considering more dental procedures at a later date. Don't know yet if I am a candidate for surgery, probably not. My condition is definetely chronic as I have had it for two years. For arguments sake, if someone has a life long chronic pain condition, TN or other, can it make for a lower life expectancy, meaning can the pain itself lead to chronic or terminal disease, i.e. cancer or heart disease, etc? Would this not be the case if the person who has the chronic pain is otherwise healthy and has no psychological issues? Basically does chronic pain make for a shorter life or is this just ridiculous question? 
thanks,
alex |
I was searching the web looking for info on this exact issue. I had been in severe pain for over twenty years following nerve damage caused during an oral-surcigal procedure. Thankfully due to nerve reapair surgery a year ago, I am in a great deal less pain. I have however recently been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which at the age of 47 is a bit worrying. Thinking back, I have had the symptoms to this condition for a number of years and simply associated it with bouts of acute pain crisis. It would seem to make absolute sense that chronic severe pain can have a considerable physiological effect, due to the extreme stress that it causes. Over a long period of time this stress is bound to manifest itself in a number of pathological conditions. As they say 'stress is a killer'; so no, it's not a daft question, its a highly valid one.
Regards
Jim