Hi, everyone! I thought I'd jump on here and intoduce myself. I was DXed last week with Trigeminal Sensory Neuropathy. Does anyone know anything about this? I've done some google searches but most of the information is old research studies or directs me to TN websites. Are these the same conditions? If not, how does it differ than TN? Thanks for any information you can provide! Karate Mom

Any damage to a nerve may be called neuropathy.
Neuropathy means disease of nerves.


Neuralgia is when a nerve sends pain signals uncontrollably.

Some medical terms overlap each other.

Trigeminal neuralgia may involve a compression, injury or chemical damage to the trigeminal nerve, causing the "neuralgia" (pain sensations).

Thanks, Mrs. D! That clarifies things for me. Can you tell me what types of chemicals could cause damage to a facial nerve? Thanks!

Injections from the dentist come to mind.

Some drugs damage nerves.... Cipro, Avelox, Levaquin, Flagyl.

There is some evidence that inhaled Flumist vaccine can cause Bell's palsy and TN.

Sometimes infections in nerve roots of teeth, or in the cavernous sinus can give TN like pain.

This is what the cavernous sinus is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavernous_sinus

It overlaps a bit, from my understanding. I had both Type 1 and Type 2. Here is a paper that defines them the best, by a leader in the field.
http://thejns.org/doi/pdf/10.3171/foc.2005.18.5.4
These are the classifications that are used by the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association as well as the leading book in this field, "Striking Back..."
I eventually had MVD surgery, which took care of the Type 1, but the Type 2remained. I believe that somewhere in that paper they say that Type 2 is a result of prolonged Type 1. In addition to blood vessels compressing my nerve, I have significant cranial arachnoiditis, or scarring of the arachnoid layer, which was wrapped tightly around the nerve.
It seems that the different types are classified by the symptoms and the causes.
My doctors are not thoroughly up to speed on these classifications (they are a bit "old school", although my neurosurgeon knows of the Type 1 Type 2 definitions), so they have called it Trigeminal Neuralgia; Trigeminal Neuropathy; TN Type 2; and Atypical Facial Pain, all through my medical records. Confusing, right?
I have not heard the term "Sensory" included in the diagnosis before. Can you explain what it feels like to you?
I hope that I am not being too confusing, but the paper named above should help.
Welcome,
Lily

Mrs. D - Thank you for the information. It was very interesting. I didn't realize that dental injections could cause this type of thing. Scary thought. I don't believe that my condition was caused by dental injections, though. I think I sustained systemic nerve damage from a toxin. I've also been lurking on the PN board and you seem to be a wealth of knowledge! You must be a doctor or a patient who has done a ton of research! I hope to learn a thing or two from you!

Lily - Thank you so much for the welcome and the link. It was very informative and helpful and helped clarify things a bit. The terminology can be confusing. It sounds like your records contain all of the terms, so you must really be confused. I would be! Of course, I'm new to all of this, so I'm still in the early stages of the learning process.

You asked what it feels like to me. The sensory symptoms are constant, painful and unrelenting. I have facial (along the trigeminal nerve) and teeth tingling/buzzing, pain and numbness, which drives me crazy. I also have the tingling in my arms, hands, legs and feet, but the facial sensations are the ones that get on my nerves the most. I have horrible ear pain (ENT cleared all ear issues) and jaw pain. My teeth throb, ache, tingle, buzz, hurt and it is constant, though the intensity can vary from bad to severely agonizing. A routine dental cleaning last fall set the symptoms into high gear and it took many weeks for them to return to their "normal." I probably left something out, but this is what I can recall at the moment. I have all of these symptoms on both sides of my face, though the left side is worse than the right. I hope that helps answer your question. Does it differ than your symptoms in any way? Are you on any meds? I wish everyone a reduced pain or pain free day!

Karate Mom

I am a newbie! In November 2010 I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, meds did not work to stop the attacks so in February 2011 I had MVD surgery. My surgery was 6 hours long followed by 2 days in ICU and 2 days in a regular hospital room. I immediatley suffered from numbness on the right side of my face from just below my nose to my jaw including half my mouth and tongue. And just in front of my right ear. I also have severe itching and tingleing and still have small attacks which are more annoying than painful. My docs say this is normal for awhile after MVD but is has been 3 months. More recently I have pain when any pressure is put on the sight of my incision is this all really normal? Any thoughts?

After being diagnosed with TN and taking Tegretol for a year, I stopped the drug due to side effects and went to another neurologist who thinks I may have Tri Neuropathy because my symptoms are mild...just occassional tingling and some sharp pains anywhere on my face. I have had this for about 7 yrs. and I do not take any meds....it is tolerable to live with if it does not get worse.

Mtgirl

I thought neuropathy implied the death of the nerve??

OK,, I may be on my horse again but have you looked into a PNS system,,will that work?
Even if the nerve is compromised in some fashion it is still creating pain,,wouldn't a PNS system still be a possibility for relief??

Mrs.D,,if you are still in this thread, what is your opinion??
If you think it is a possible,, last nerve or anyone,,feel free to contact me about the procedure or with questions,,Beth

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