[dmplaura]

Sorry to find myself here, as I'm usually mingling on the Multiple Sclerosis forums, but I do believe I'm a 'combo' deal.

A year ago my dentist (treating TMJ) marked me as suspect for Trigeminal Neuralgia. I had dull pain on my left side of my face, right below my eye in the cheekbone area that was consistently there for months. Two to three years earlier, I had the lightning bolts of sharp shooting pain into my left side of my face, on a number of occasions, where I was crippled in a ball on the floor clutching my head.

Well, the facial pain has returned since my MS diagnosis in March 08, when they did extensive testing including a mountain of blood work, MRI, EVP, spinal tap.. you get the idea.

The facial pain this time however is different. Shortly after I wake up, it's there again. It can intensify throughout the day. It doesn't leave. It's a constant burning searing pain in my cheeks, temples and from the top of my skull to the back of it. It's also on both sides!

I always thought that TN presented as the lightning bolt stabs of pain and then faded away. This has been constant for 2 weeks now. It not the curl in a ball felling like I had previously, but it's definitely agonizing. Putting cold compresses on it does ease the pain for me.

Has anyone else had their pain from TN present in such a fashion? I see my neurologist on Monday, and this will be my main focal point of discussion with him. I'm just praying he doesn't toss me back in the hospital on steroids again for the MS.