Does anyone else ever get numbness? I get complete numbness in the right side of my face sometimes... Like, hmmm... Like when you get home from the dentist after a huge shot of novocaine??? That's the only way I can explain it, sorry. And then it follows with shocks. Oh, and also, do any of you get shocks in your tongue?? (Like when you were a kid and licked a 9 volt?? Except 10x worse. Oh, and admit it, you did it too.... lol)

Please everyone, I could really use some help! I'm at my wit's end, and this whole TN thing is causing me to feel slightly depressed....

Hi Jamie
I'm sorry you are experiencing such uncomfortable and painful symptoms.

Prior to my MVD, my whole left jaw from my teeth up to my eye was totally numb. You're right, kind of like from the dentist only WAY worse, somehow deeper, if that makes sense.

I didn't get the shocks on my tongue, I had like burning on my palate and back of my tongue. And ice picks in my eyeball.

(and no, I never licked a 9 volt..though that does sound interesting...) sorry, trying for a little macabre humour.

I don't know if this can help you, but when the numbness got really bad, I used ice packs on it. No cloth in between, I just shoved the pack into my face and held it there. It seemed to help. Not fun, but any little bit helps.

Since the MVD on January 20th, the burning pain and ice pick is gone. The area of numbness has gone from about 4" x 4" to about 3/4" x 3/4" or so. It's different every day. Some days I have none at all. Other times the same size area but very severe painwise.

CAT

I've just recently started to get some numbness although mine is located on the right side and runs in the area of the 2nd branch of the nerve. This condition is progressive and changes with time so pain patterns tend to change, especially with type 2 TN. Take care as you're not alone.

For me, when the numbness comes it means I'm in for a whopper of an episode....

I have noticed that as well. I try to brace myself every time, but it doesn't help, because, of course, the pain is always worse than you expect. Bah. It's the most frustrating thing I have ever experienced. The pain comes as a surprise every damn time! (Although I don't think a person can actually get 'used' to it!)