I had facial tingling and some pain starting in 2005, not Dx until 2011. First as T neuralgia, and put on Tegretol...stopped after a yr....side effects. Another neuro doc said he thinks is it T neuropathy---said I could try Neurotin---did not start it...I can tolerate the brief periods of discomfort but would like to know more about it...I really don't think the docs have the answers....just some irritation of the TG nerves. I am happy not to be taking a drug for it and pray that it does not worsen. Mtgirl

Neurontin usually does not cause the same side effects as Tegretol,,so don't be too hesitant to try it and at least see if it works for you. It's good to have a med to fall back to in case you need it.

Another little spoken about cause on TN is viral. There were studies done many years ago indicating a direct link. And some more honest Md's will admit that a certain segment of TN cases have no known cause and most will agree they believe it to be viral.

My PM Doc believes that neuropathy can be viral based as well but that's only one guy so it's hard to tell. I know that my TN is viral based and I don't see why neuropathy can't be viral as well,,who knows. The problem is that for many years no one was really doing any solid research into TN so now that we have some good Docs that are doing some research they are behind where WE need them to be. But with hope they will catch up and maybe we will have some answers soon.

I wish you much luck and wish I could be more help..Beth