I just found this site tonight, so still have lots of exploring to do. I was diagnosed with TN in March, 2008. It started as a stabbing pain in my forhead back in January, and then the next time was like my eye was plugged into an electrical outlet. Boy, did I scream. We went to Emerg. and I was told it was a sinus infection and he gave me an antibiotic. Well, it happened a few more times but I thought that the pills just hadn't taken effect yet so I didn't do anything. Then, I was bending over wiping my dogs feet and the electric shock ran right through my left eye. I screamed in pain (my poor hubby). So, back to Emerg. we went. This time, it was a different doctor. Well, he looked in my eye and "couldn't see anything". I told him it was like an electric shock behind my eye. He sent me for a sinus x-ray, which came back clear. He said, "I don't know what it is, go see your family doctor, this is for emergencies." Well, it continued a few more times, once at work. Then in the shower when the water hit my head. I took a cab and went back to Emerg. hoping to get a different dr. - no luck. This time, he quickly checked my eye again. even though I told him it felt like it was an electric shock in my brain. He didn't listen to me. He couldn't see anything, so set me up for an appointment with an Opthamalogist who was a 5 hour drive away. When it happened again at home, my hubby and I packed our bags and drove 8 hrs to Calgary. Once admitted in E.R., the dr. touched my forehead and set off a huge attack. She told me that I would be going for a CT scan. Finally, I was getting some help. When I came back, a Neurologist was waiting for me. When he examined me, it set off another attack, so then I was told I would be having an MRI. After a tumour and MS were ruled out, I was told I had TN. Finally, I knew what it was.

I only have it in the eye/forehead area and am not finding much information for it. Even Striking Back only barely mentions it. Everyone's story that I've read so far in other communities seems to have it in the cheek or jaw area. I am taking 400 Tegretol, plus 1,000 Tegretol CR, plus 450 Lyricas. I feel like a walking Zombie. Can anyone recommend something that isn't so potent? I miss my brain! I have been on short term disability and am awaiting approval for LTD. Does anyone else here have eye/forehead TN? I hear that MVD is not very helpful in my case.

I'd love to hear any advice you can give me. My GP is trying to help me but has only ever seen one case of TN before and that patient only took 1 pill a day. I am going back to see my Neurologist next week. I heard about a new drug call Trileptal which isn't supposed to have as many side effects? Sorry, for going on so long. I'm new to this......Bonnie