Hi Diana

I hope I can help with some of your concerns. You are correct, the pain can come and go - when you are pain-free, you are able to eat and drink. When you have a bout of TN, you can barely open your mouth to drink, let alone chew anything.

When I had my first bout, I wasn't able to put make-up on my face because it hurt so much. If I were to have taken a feather and brushed it against the side of my face, the pain would have been intense. It is the most debilitating pain I have ever endured.

I had a balloon compression operation and I've been pain-free for over a year. What a blessing, as the meds were making me very groggy.

My suggestion to you would be to get your Mom in to see a neurologist. They will be able to diagnose better. In my personal opinion, it sounds as if she may have TN.

I hope you and she can find the answers you need in order to help your Mom through this very difficult time.

Kind regards,
Judy

Thanks so much Judy, I was beginning to wonder if anyone would answer me. I didnt want to be a bother. I took her to her MD and told him directly what she is going through. He is getting her seen with Vanderbilt neurology.
Thanks and God Bless everyone who is going through this terrible disease.
Diana

The folks at Vanderbilt are wonderful, Diana. Dr. Robert Mericle is a neurosurgeon there and hosted a Trigeminal Neuralgia Association (TNA) regional conference there a couple of years ago. You'll want your mom to see a neurologist first, but be sure it's one who specializes in Trigeminal Neuralgia and/or the cranial nerves. Read through the "sticky threads" at the top of the page (Tips for Newcomers and the Useful Web sites links) to learn about TN. There is also an active Support Group in Nashville - see the TNA Web site http://www.fpa-support.org/ and look under Patient Support for contact information and you can call and they may have names of neurologists who specialize in TN who can better diagnose your mom.

Good luck to you all!

I live here in the Nashville area and yes, I am sure they will be able to make an accurate diagnosis at Vanderbilt, and my bet would be on TN. I saw a neuro there at Vandy by the name of Dr. Riebau. He is very pleasant and thorough, young enough to keep learning, and - I didn't ask the details, but -he apparently has some sort of neurological disorder himself and is in a wheel chair. I was unaware of this until my first visit, but I feel like he may be more focused on learning all the new treatments for our type of disorders.

Luckily, my episodes are very sporadic, so I do not see him on a regular basis.

Good Luck with your Mom - I know it hurts you to see her suffer so.

Best wishes,
Rhonda

Dr. Riebau is my moms Dr. when she had her stroke. My mom had an app. with him on the 27th for the TN. But I cant wait that long so decided to go through ER today. She is only getting worse. Now it is constant even in the middle of the night. She is down to 90 lbs and would not even eat or drink for me. AND you can tell she was trying but she cant. TOO much pain.
Thanks Bassetcase!!!
I will keep you updated!!