Hello Wanganui,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups!

I'm sure that EnglishDave, or other members, will respond when they are able.

Happy New Year to you.

Thank you Lara for welcoming me! Happy New Year!

Hi Wanganui,

Sorry for the delay in responding, I have been laid up, ill.

Few things are more miserable than chronic Facial Pain, even the sporadic attacks of TN only bear comparison - at least their intensity lasts minutes, it is not ongoing.

While the cause of my TN and Facial Pain/Paresthesia is known (arterial knot), no Neuro can understand WHY I suffer with the constant pain and numbness.

As for treatments, I have the misfortune of suffering chronic Cluster Headaches which take priority. For prevention I take Topiramate, an anti-convulsant, which has the beneficial side effect of reducing the Facial Pain, probably by 25%. Due to my multiple other conditions I also have monthly Lidocaine Infusions and take Oral Ketamine. After this procedure, or having taken the Ketamine, I notice a marked reduction in pain, but not the Paresthesia.

The Infusions are a little extreme for this condition, but the other two, or another anti-convulsant could be worth exploring.

Hope you get some relief.

Edit: Just read your other Posts. You should definitely have your GP refer you to an idiot Neuro (just my low opinion of them, but they serve a function sometimes). I am surprised you have not seen one before, that is the first option usually.


Dave.

Thank you English Dave! I will ring my doctor today to refer me to a neurologist.I need help quickly as there seems to be no let up with this pain especially over the last three months!Best Wishes!