advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-23-2015, 10:38 PM #1
TashaH TashaH is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
8 yr Member
TashaH TashaH is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
8 yr Member
Confused Possible Diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia - Under 50

Hello all,
My name is Tasha. I am 26 years old. I've been having some facial pain that I originally believed to be a toothache for the past month and a half. After a short time I began questioning if it was in fact my tooth. My toothaches in the past seemed to be consistent and throbbing, while this has been sporadic and feels like an electric shock. I can go days without any episodes of this pain. Then out of no where I'll feel an electric shock in my left cheek bone. At times it would go away immediately after, other times it would stick around for a very short time and spread to the surrounding areas of my left cheek bone.
The other night it came on and it was one of the times it stuck around. Considering it usually doesn't last long I tried to ignore it, but every time it would begin to go away it would start all over again. After a little bit of this I took some quick acting alieve. Over an hour later it was still coming on and hitting strong and staying for a few minutes, then leaving and coming back. So I wound up going to Urgent Care because it was late evening so I couldn't go to the doctor yet didn't feel it was an emergent situation but I couldn't take it anymore and wanted something more for pain. And this is not like me. I will lay in bed in my dark room all day long crying from a migraine over taking pain medication for it. I do not do pain medication lightly.
Well anyway, after inspecting my mouth and teeth, hearing my explanation of what was happening and asking me a few questions the Urgent Care Doctor said he believes I have Trigeminal Neuralgia. He said my symptoms do not sound like a toothache and there is no evidence in my mouth/teeth that would suggest a probable toothache. He said he couldn't give me a definite diagnosis without a MRI and couldn't give me the medication that would be the most helpful without a definite diagnosis so he prescribed me Motrin 800 to help until I could get to my PCP and have a MRI done.
I've been doing a lot of research on this since then. I've found that its extremely rare to occur in someone under 50 and when it does the cause is generally due to an Aneurysm, MS, or a Brain Tumor though there are some cases in which it is not from any of those things. Typically I wouldn't be too worried, I'd figure well it's probably one of those things where it isn't any of those or I don't have it all. But to say my family hasn't had the best luck with health in these past two years would be a massive understatement. Four diagnosed with cancer (all in same week), three of which have passed away due to the cancer and one is now on Hospice doing very poorly due to the cancer. Not to mention other serious health issues with other family members that have all been popping up within the past two years.
I'm not a real superstitious person, but I have to admit this is really freaking me out, big time. I'm terrified to get a MRI.. or any other kind of radiology work done for that matter because it seems like every person who has had any kind of radiology work in my family in the past 2 years has received devastating news afterward! I am going to do it anyway, because if this is something I have, according to the Urgent Care doctor it is only going to get worse. So I'm going to want to know for sure so I can have something that may help, no matter how scary a MRI may be to me. I'm also afraid of if I do have this, why? They say it's rare for someone under 50 to have it without one of those three things, but how rare is it?
So this is my question to all of you. How many of you who are suffering from this are under 50, and what is your underlying cause or do you even have an underlying cause?
TashaH is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 08-24-2015, 12:26 AM #2
Wiix's Avatar
Wiix Wiix is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: The "X" is silent. Pronounced "Oui".
Posts: 3,578
15 yr Member
Wiix Wiix is offline
Grand Magnate
Wiix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: The "X" is silent. Pronounced "Oui".
Posts: 3,578
15 yr Member
Smile

I've had brief episodes of TN. Never amounted to anything.
Wiix is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
TashaH (08-30-2015)
Old 08-24-2015, 12:55 PM #3
EnglishDave's Avatar
EnglishDave EnglishDave is offline
Magnate
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posts: 2,098
8 yr Member
EnglishDave EnglishDave is offline
Magnate
EnglishDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posts: 2,098
8 yr Member
Cool Smirk

Hi Tasha,

First of all, calm down, your research has clearly worried you and I am happy to say it is inaccurate. Here:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Trigemi...es/Causes.aspx

You will find that the most common cause by far is an artery or vein pressing on the Trigeminal Nerve. I happen to have an arterial knot around mine causing all my problems.

MRIs are a painless diagnostic tool which are not Radiological. Unfortunately, it is common for the MRI to show nothing, you need to be under the care of a Neurologist for all this. S/he will be able to dx you from your symptoms, order an MRI and offer the proper medication.

I hope this has alleviated your worries somewhat, if you have any other questions I am always about.

Btw, I was 37 when my pains started, I know of children being stricken.

Dave.
__________________
You and I are yesterday's answers,
The earth of the past come to flesh,
Eroded by Time's rivers
To the shapes we now possess.

The Sage - Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
EnglishDave is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Enna70 (08-30-2015), TashaH (08-30-2015), Wiix (08-24-2015)
Old 08-27-2015, 02:56 PM #4
Antony20/10/1984 Antony20/10/1984 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Staffordshire, Great Britian
Posts: 3
8 yr Member
Antony20/10/1984 Antony20/10/1984 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Staffordshire, Great Britian
Posts: 3
8 yr Member
Default

Hi Tasha, I'm 30 and I got a preliminary diagnosis for Trigeminal Neuralgia about 10 days ago.

I too have had to come to terms with thinking "how can I be having this when I'm so young?"
The first day after seeing my GP was alright then after reading all the resources I was given online the next day it overwhelmed me and I burst into tears infront of my mother.

All the things that will be affecting your mind were affecting my mind, "do I have a tumour causing this? am I going to be dead by Christmas?"
"do I have MS and am I going to lose control of my limbs?"
I felt like my best chance was to hope for Trigeminal Neuralgia and live the rest of my life in excruciating pain.

However I got over it and I now know that I have to stay strong and not let it affect me until I know for sure what's happening to me.
I've had a range of blood tests already( I had to fill 9 tubes, I almost passed out after lol) and now I am going to see a Neurologist soon so I can find out what's going on inside my head.

You will have those doom and gloom feelings everyone does, but I promise you they will pass and you will be in a much better position to deal with your situation.
Let the doctors find out what's wrong with you first then worry about it afterwards.

What I found out from reading about Trigeminal Neuralgia most is the very wide range of treatments for it.
There are some very good drugs that have huge success in dealing with the pain and I have read about newer drugs that have little of no side effects.
I have read of 4 procedures where they can kill the nerve and relieve pain and you don't even have to be unconscious while they do it.
All this is even before surgery and I know that's the scary one, id rather not have my skull cut open either but the success rates of it are really encouraging.

Don't give up Tasha there is so much that can be done to treat this condition and you may even find out that it isn't even Trigeminal Neuralgia and it goes away on it's own.
It's a long shot and it is rare but I've read if the cause can not be found it can just go away on it's own.

I too have more questions than answers at the moment and that's frustrating but have hope.

You are not alone.
Antony20/10/1984 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
EnglishDave (08-27-2015), TashaH (08-30-2015), Wiix (08-27-2015)
Old 08-27-2015, 05:27 PM #5
Burntmarshmallow's Avatar
Burntmarshmallow Burntmarshmallow is offline
Grand Magnate
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: east coast florida
Posts: 3,456
15 yr Member
Burntmarshmallow Burntmarshmallow is offline
Grand Magnate
Burntmarshmallow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: east coast florida
Posts: 3,456
15 yr Member
Default

Unfortunately there are many young people who have TN/ face pain I recall even very young girl her mom used to post at another place before Neurotalk was born. I think there is a group for younger people with T.N. face pain I saw on the TNA site I think or maybe it was on the f.b. There are plenty of ways/ methods to help control the pain levels and such. most times Medications work and You NEED TO follow the doctor's orders and not stop a med after a few days.. It needs to build up before it can start to work. we are all in this together neither of you are alone
PEACE
BMW
Burntmarshmallow is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
EnglishDave (08-27-2015), Enna70 (08-30-2015), TashaH (08-30-2015)
Old 08-29-2015, 09:16 PM #6
TashaH TashaH is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
8 yr Member
TashaH TashaH is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
8 yr Member
Default Thanks!

Thanks everyone, I feel much better when it comes to fear of something more. Unfortunately I'm feeling worse and worse about the pain because the pain keeps getting worse. I never EVER take pain medication and have been eating it like candy with no relief. Sorry it took so long to thank you all of your thoughtful responses, I had gone of vacation shortly after posting this. I am calling Monday morning to make an appointment with a Neurologist (I have a PPO so no referral needed). I'm wishing I already made the appointment but I didn't expect this to be so out of control since it had typically been quick, short episodes and few and far in between. Thanks again!!
TashaH is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-30-2015, 04:49 AM #7
EnglishDave's Avatar
EnglishDave EnglishDave is offline
Magnate
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posts: 2,098
8 yr Member
EnglishDave EnglishDave is offline
Magnate
EnglishDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posts: 2,098
8 yr Member
Cool Smirk

Hey Tasha,

Sorry the pain is getting worse, but forget about taking conventional pain killers, they will not work and that is another sign this is probably TN.

The Neuro should be able to fix you up with something that helps, it may take a couple of tries.

Hang in there.

Dave.
__________________
You and I are yesterday's answers,
The earth of the past come to flesh,
Eroded by Time's rivers
To the shapes we now possess.

The Sage - Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
EnglishDave is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Enna70 (08-30-2015), TashaH (08-30-2015)
Old 08-30-2015, 10:03 PM #8
TashaH TashaH is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
8 yr Member
TashaH TashaH is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
8 yr Member
Default

Thanks Dave... I just hope there is not a long wait for a neurologist appointment. I'm not sure I'll be able to work if this pops up during work and I'm fresh out of college and only 2 months into my first job (in my new career field) and I've already had to take time off twice for two family deaths, I feel like I'm on thin ice with them already. It's really important to be there, I'm currently a medical scribe and if I leave my doc I'm assigned to is without a scribe and that is not acceptable through my company. Any tips on dealing with it in a situation like that? Like maybe a pressure point or something I can massage to make it not so extreme? I know that sounds silly, asking if there is a magic button on my body to turn it off lol.. but I'm just thinking, if it is a nerve surely there is a different nerve that could be stimulated to distract?? Thanks much <3
TashaH is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-31-2015, 05:05 AM #9
EnglishDave's Avatar
EnglishDave EnglishDave is offline
Magnate
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posts: 2,098
8 yr Member
EnglishDave EnglishDave is offline
Magnate
EnglishDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posts: 2,098
8 yr Member
Cool Smirk

No magic buttons, or we would all use it - sorry.

However, our Member, Quandry, found relief taking Taurine. There are nedical reasons as to why this may work and if it does for one, it is worth a try - heck, for a lot of us brain surgery is worth a try. Even I would have had this had my heart attack not made me unsuitable for anaesthetics.

Dave.
__________________
You and I are yesterday's answers,
The earth of the past come to flesh,
Eroded by Time's rivers
To the shapes we now possess.

The Sage - Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
EnglishDave is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 08-31-2015, 06:29 PM #10
TashaH TashaH is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
8 yr Member
TashaH TashaH is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 7
8 yr Member
Default

I have to admit, brain surgery looks pretty good compared to dealing with the pain I've been having. I'm sorry you don't have the option I hope you have it well controlled otherwise
TashaH is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
EnglishDave (09-01-2015)
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Occipital neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia canagirl Peripheral Neuropathy 3 08-11-2015 01:29 PM
Trigeminal Neuralgia millyspain New Member Introductions 6 04-01-2009 02:06 AM
New to this. Have trigeminal Neuralgia 2mchpn New Member Introductions 3 02-06-2008 09:18 AM
Trigeminal Neuralgia? Jogo Social Chat 0 09-24-2007 08:07 PM
Trigeminal Neuralgia and MVD hburhani New Member Introductions 3 05-11-2007 12:29 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:26 AM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.