Hi! My name is Melissa and I was in search of some information. A few days ago I went to the E.R. because I found my face had suddenly gone numb for no apparent reason. The E.R. physician said she suspected it was either Trigeminal Neuralgia or Bell's Palsy (except I had no paralysis, just numbness). However, I also had no accompanying pain to the numbness that would confirm it as TN. She prescribed Motrin 800 mg and told me to go see my general doctor. In the time between my visit to the general doctor I noticed an increase in the numbness and also I noticed some moderate pain (although nothing compared to what the ER physician seemed to portray it as!) The general doctor said it was definetly TN, and prescribed me Prednisone, 10 mg. He said also, that it was a temporary condition and would resolve itself in a few weeks. So, here are my questions-

1. Is it uncommon for someone to present with TN but mainly numbness and only moderate pain?

2. Is the condition truly temporary (as in, will this be a one time occurence in my life)? and

3. Why did the doctors prescribe motrin and prednisone?

I thought I would ask. I just turned 18 in January and for once in my life, despite my many medical adventures, I find myself completely lost! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Melissa