I realize that this thread is over a month old, but I'm going to answer anyway.

I've had Trigeminal Neuralgia for 12 years now. Initially I was on my meds for 1 year and slowly weened off. I was good for a couple years, then it came back. I was on my meds for about another 6 months and weened off again. Then again and again.

This is a pattern that has been going on for the past 12 years. I just recently had a relapse and saw my family practice doctor, and it sounds like this time I might be put on a maintenance dose for the rest of my life. I guess we'll see what happens.