Hi folks - before i start i just wanted to give you all big respect for the way you battle through your problems. My pain, while causing discomfort, is very mild compared to some of the stories i read here and on other sites.

I started to have a kind of numb/pins and needles feeling in my left cheek about a year ago which spread to my jaw and forehead. Now the sensation is definately more of a burning/stinging feeling and is on both sides of my face with tingling on my tongue also. The sensation is constant but not too overbearing. I don't get trigger points or stabbing pains, migraines or problems with my teeth. The problem flares up a bit at times, mainly if i'm stressed but i've also noticed unusual things such as it gets worse if i'm lifting or if my posture when sitting is bad for any length of time, or once when i went swimming (i have bad technique and move my head from side to side) it got worse, when i was in Florida it got worse during a thunderstorm. Sometimes it's worse for no apparent reason. I haven't had any trauma. I've read things about dental links to TN. I had a root canal filling done years ago and about 6 months ago it came out, i wasn't in any pain but the dentist said there was decay underneath the gold filling and that she wasn't entirely sure how or why. Anyway i've seen a few doctors, first neurologist said he couldn't find anything wrong with me but suggested it could be diabetic neuropathy thouth my Type 2 diabetes is well controlled with diet only so this would be unusual. An MRI showed no brain abnormalities but an MRI of the neck showed wear and tear and a mild prolapse disc. However, that is not considered to be significant. I saw a doctor from Occupational Health last week and he favoured a diagnosis of TN which has stressed me out no end. I did an online questionnairre and that suggested Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain as the diagnosis. My fear is that i may have the atypical TN which will progress. I am 43 years old and just about to become a dad for the first time. It is very worrying. I have tried Lyrica and Carbamazepine at low doses but neither made any difference. I am at the point where i want closure and so am paying privately to see a Neurosurgeon and for a fine gradient MRI next week.

It's a minefield. Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this.

Kind Regards.

Well, first - sorry you need to be here, but glad you found us since you do.

I'm not an expert, but what you are describing doesn't sound like Trigeminal Neuralgia to me - at least not the typical kind. And one of the ways of confirming a diagnosis of TN is to see if Carbamazepine helps--and you say it didn't. The good news in that is that what you have probably won't progress to the excruciating stabbing pains a lot of us have or have had.

I also wonder about seeing a neuroSURGEON if what you want is a diagnosis. In my experience neurologists are the diagnosticians. The surgeons take it from there if you choose surgery and their expertise and focus is on surgery. That said, it's probably worth seeing what a neurosurgeon has to say if you haven't gotten help from a neurologist. Hopefully the fine grade MRI will be helpful!

Keep looking for answers and hopefully others here will have something helpful to add. I have no experience with the kind of thing you are describing...but someone here probably has.

Congratulations on becoming a father!