one of the things that I do is put deep heating mentholatum on my face right in the area where I get the deep burning ache it makes my eye on that side water and sometimes the lid even swells a little (this is probably so unhealthy) but the burning of the deep heat on my face makes it hard for my brain to process what sensations are coming from that area. I lay a t-shirt over the area quickly and it cuts down on it bothering my eye the eye watering is bothersome but worth it when the pain gets so bad I can't bare it esp. at night.

Has anyone used Accupunture for relief? Did it help out any?

I've been going to a chiropractor who also does acutens (electronic unit) on points in my face that are on the trigeminal nerve. I do find it helps, the only problem is the help is short lived

My husband was diagnosed with TN....He finds that water held in his mouth eases his pain.
I have read your replys and gonna tell him to put some heat on his face...
The emergency room doc gave him 3 perscriptions.
Neurontin,Vicodin & Elavil........So far the Vicodin isn't touching it...He has taken 11 since yesterday...
I am so worried about him....Scared he will have to go into surgery to get this taken care of....Its been acting up for over 2 weeks now.
He is a OTR truck driver so the meds that they gave him he def cant drive with them...
I have heard that there are all types of herbs that can help with pain..have any of you heard what could benefit him herb wise?...
I just hate him in pain.....I know it has to be excrutiating....He never complains so when he does...Its BAD!!....
Good Luck to all of you that have this illness I wish you the best!!......

I had my doctor prescribe 800 mg Ibuprofen for daytime attacks and I have Hydrocodone for nights which I seldom use. I also keep at my desk one of the rice-filled or corn-filled heating pads that you put in the microwave.

Another precious find that I made was something called SalonPas. They are little pads about 2" by 3" that are used for muscle pain. They are fairly cheap and come in packages of 20. My daughter had them for her knees or something and I slapped one on my face in desperation one day and - lo and behold - they worked. I carry them and if it's a particularly bad attack I can use them at work in my office when I just have to have something before my pill kicks in. I found them at WalMart and they are made by Hisamitsu Pharmaceuticals.

My TN was brought on in February of this year when I got my first root canal. I thought I was going crazy until it was finally diagnosed....well as much as it can be diagnosed.

Hi Lillie, thanks for the tip. I have never heard of the SalonPas. Do they heat up? I found a head band with an ear warmer pocket to slip the little self heating packets into - but had very little luck with that. Like you, I needed something to use at my desk when I have an episode at work. I found the little packets did not heat up very well and did not stay hot for very long either. My microwave bag works great, but not very feasible when I am at work. Maybe I need to make me a little mini size one to put on my ear. I will look for the SalonPas this weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

I used ice packs. It would numb the area after about fifteen 15 minutes. I also tried to distract myself by reading or listening to music. Hope this info helps. Hoping you have pain-free days ahead.

Todd