Hi Quandry,

That is interesting, as MrsD says. I could find nothing on the Net either. I take Topiramate for chronic Cluster Headaches, and it has the beneficial side effect (with Lidocaine Infusions and Ketamine) of reducing the intensity of my TN attacks - yes, I suffer both for my Sins.

May I ask, what is the cause of your TN?

Dave.

My TN is atypical, and unusual because it occurs on both sides, but not at the same time. The pain has progressed to the point that if I were to go without taking anything I would be in pain all the time. My pain has spread to all the branches of the trigeminal nerves and I'm guessing that it must have something to do with demyelination and possible blood vessel problems combined. So it's important that I take something that works. I've had MRI's etc... and there's no evidence of Multiple Sclerosis, so I'm as confused as my neurologist about the cause. I'm just happy that I found something that works, and I hope that maybe it can work for someone else. This is the most horrible pain I've ever experienced and I've given birth to four children. I hope that Taurine might possibly help others out there. I think there should be some studies done on Taurine, for TN, so that more people are aware of its effectiveness.

Hi Quandry,

While I am pleased you are getting relief, please beware that this is not a co-incidental, natural respite, which can happen for any length of time before it returns with a vengeance - not that I wish that upon you.

Double-sided TN IS rare, I feel for you. You speak as though yours is chronic, as is mine (caused by arterial knot round left nerve, before branching), I also have permanent Neuropathic Facial Pain/Paresthesia. As for pain levels, childbirth is supposed to come in between 5-8, TN is way over 10 - and you don't give birth hundreds of times an hour, day after day during a triggered Bout. Really, the only thing worse - because of the constant duration of the pain - are Cluster Headaches.

Let us hope that, whatever the cause of your relief, it is long-lasting, if not permanent.

Dave.

Here is the Wiki article on Taurine:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine

Mentions enhancing cellular membrane stability (a factor that may be helping TN)
and also its actions on magnesium and potassium, which may be helping the nerves also.

The only warning I am finding is that it should not be used with lithium (as in the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder)

As it really helps for my gall bladder issues, I will continue to take mine. 500mg a day on an empty stomach.

Hi MrsD,

I have no doubt as to the multiple benefits of Taurine, in fact the more I read, the more I feel I should be taking it (heart, etc) subject to contraindications. I scanned (eyes and headaches today) many papers regarding it's use in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

I just know how evilly sneaky TN can be. Twice I have had a respite co-inciding with the start of a new med, only for the Beast to return at the same intensity and back to the same frequency within a month.

For anyone and everyone who suffers I wish for the pain to go, it is no fun feeling as though your face is wired to an electrical socket which a sadist is constantly flipping on and off. It is just that, from personal experience and from reading about third parties I have been ground down to being pessimistic - which is ironic as I have just advised Canagirl on the PN Forum to be optimistic I should listen to myself, damn my mental issues.

Dave.

Each person here reading can make their own decisions on the Taurine.

You know, I recall way in the past, it was used by the Tourette's community (and ADHD too).

We always have it here, because of our cats. Vets often recommend additional taurine if cats get human food treats.

I only use it for my gall bladder (I have had 4 tests showing no stones over the years and including most recently). A low dose helps me prevent painful attacks. But that action is different from the neurological actions it has on membrane stability. The nerve impulses travel along the nerve membranes, using the electrolytes mentioned in the wiki article.
In fact there is a supplement, magnesium taurate that I recall Tourette's patients used.

http://www.amazon.com/Cardiovascular...+taurate+400mg

While the mag content of this is pretty low per tablet, the combo makes good sense if used in the proper dosages.

I wish my TN took a vacation, but it hasn't. I can still feel faint pain once in a while, so the TN pain is greatly lessened. The taurine seems to be doing something, but I have my dilantin just in case. So far, so good. I've been taking the taurine for about two weeks.

At one time I tried to wean myself off of dilantin, but the pain came back with a fury. so, I'm sure that the pain would come back to full force without the taurine.

I realize that everyone manages the pain differently with TN because of the various causes, but there might be a chance that the taurine will work for some and that it might not work for all. For me, it was worth the chance to check it out.

Yes, I read cats cannot manufacture Taurine - fascinating. All our cat food is enriched by the look of it, Brand Names anyway. Sorry off topic, there Quandry.

I will Post over on Vitamins regarding Gall Bladder issues so as not to clutter your Thread.

Dave.