Hi

Longtime reader first time poster.

I an interested in hearing about how people not have TN in the back of their thoughts in the periods that they are painfree.

During my painfree periods I find that because I have to remember to take my neurontin and I have a slight numbness on the affected side of my face,my trigeminal neuralgia is pretty much constantly niggling away in my thoughts.

I would love this not to be the case. It would make the painfree times even better

any ideas ?

Thank you

That is a great question/topic, fliplovestoeat. I know for me, knowing that it's always there, lurking in the shadows ready to strike again at any time , it's hard not to think about it when I'm pain-free. What works pretty well for me is to stay busy and if my thoughts start wandering to the TN, I try breaking them by focusing really hard on what I'm doing at the moment.

This is a good thread. I think that for anyone who has TN, even duringmpain free moments, you never stop thinking about when it is coming back. I had a stim implant a month ago that has taken away about 70% of my pain. I still have good days and bad ones. I find I am still looking over my shoulder waiting for the pain. I have to try and redirect my thoughts all the time. I have found that even when the pain is bad if I can manage to keep busy doing something, it will keep my thoughts off the pain. hen I can't even manage to physically do something, I find a really good movie that will try to occupy my mind. if I can't even stand to try and watch tv because the pain is too severe, I take a muscle relaxer to try and help me fall asleep and try to sleep thru the worst.
lisa

I had a successful Balloon Compression almost 2 1/2 years ago... I never, ever stop thinking about TN. If I get a slight sensation, I worry that it is going to come back. I had TN on the 3rd branch.

Lately, I've been getting twinges and very mild jabs in the 2nd branch... My worry of TN never goes away...

I've had gamma knife, glycerin injection and latest a balloon compression which - so far - has been successful. However, I'm always "on the lookout".

Sometimes I "forget" to be watchful, but usually I'm stilll on guard!

it's comfroting to know that I am not the only one who has it always somewhere in my thoughts. or just there waiting to jump into my thoughts

I have been going to gym and dieting so I am trying to think about making sure I am the healthiest that I can be instead of TN.. it's working..... sort of

Flip,
That is such a proactive approach - we really do need to keep our health up in order to endure all of these procedures and surgeries - I try to get in as much exercise as I can too. All at home - with my Wii, my treadmill, and a total gym-type exercise thingy. You can get second hand exercise equipment for really good prices on Craigslist, etc. Just make sure to clean them with lysol wipes when you get them home. I know...ewwwe. But it's the best way to get equipment cheap!
Lily