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.

I'm definitely going to check into it...read about it, etc. sounds hopeful. Thank you Quandry and glad to hear of someone feeling a bit better. I have Atypical too.

Ironically, my TN pain is every so slightly better day to day of late (crossing myself, lighting a candle, throwing salt over my shoulders, touch wood). It's been a little over three years since I had my dental experience from HELL

However, my migraines are a little worse. In fact, I think I had somewhat of a cluster headache the other day AND about ten days ago. WTH?!?! Two within ten days. I've had them before. Doctor calls them "migraine with cluster feature." They come in spurts between my regular migraines, but fortunately not too often.

So, English Dave, I understand.

I take Topamax, but only 50 mgs since more than this makes me dumb as a door nail, which makes me depressed and well... It's just a nasty vicious cycle sometimes.

I use Imitrex and a little coffee when I get a migraine. But doesn't work as well for the ones that have the "cluster features."

I'm not sure why my TN is a little more controllable of late. I'm not going to worry about it though. I did have a horrible, insane TN attack when I went on a bus tour. So, the evil thing is still very capable of bringing me to my knees.

Sorry to be so negative...on the upside, day to day I'm doings little better and the Taurine is clearly something worth exploring

mrsD has mentioned taurine and Tourette Syndrome above so just wanted to add on here. Bonnie Grimaldi published an hypothesis regarding magnesium deficiency and Tourette Syndrome. She always recommended magnesium taurate. My undersanding on my very basic level is that the taurine was less "excitatory" than other forms of magnesium so has a more calming affect on neuromuscular excitability.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11863398
Med Hypotheses 2002 Jan;58(1):47-60.

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.

fyi - I found a page with lots of 'taurine' links down the bottom. Nothing regarding Trigeminal Neuralgia specifically but there may be some articles of interest in that *reference* section.

http://www.neuropathie.nu/research-d...europathy.html

Thanks Lara.

Those abstracts are very instructional. I think I will increase my intake daily by 500mg to make 1000mg per day.

What is interesting is that while taking this daily...(the past few weeks) instead of when I get a gall bladder attack, my swollen left ankle has shrunk to normal and hurts less. This is very welcome for me. So it just might be the daily taurine helping it.

I just want to say that the Taurine is still working. I felt some pain today, but it was just because I was late taking it, but once the Taurine kicked in I was pain free. The Dilantin didn't even work this good. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Taurine will continue to work this good.

You know, Dilantin used every day...is now listed as a cause of neuropathy. Keep that in mind too.

Anybody else try taurine yet?
If so, results?