Originally Posted by momof3girls

Hi,
My mom age 69 had a really bad brainstem stroke back in 2006, she cannot communicate (speak) and cannot
walk.
Back about 9 months ago she had these painful attacks in her jaw area which we thought had to be a really bad
toothache. Took her to the dentist, he found nothing. Poked around and did everything you can think of but no reaction.
But she occasionally would have them still. They would be horrific. It was unbearable for her. And she has a high pain tolerance.
Well the episodes came back last wk, she has them mostly while eating and drinking so I took her to a different more experience dentist yesterday thinking again, toothache. He did x-ray of her whole head thinking
maybe it is a fractured jaw. He probed around her mouth also, no reaction ,then his nurse (who believed me) messed around in her mouth then she witnessed this painful attack, she immediately told him and he suggested trigeminal neuralgia in which he called and made an appointment to a Dr who he thought may know if it is it.
I could not be there today for her app. but my stepfather took her and he is not as outspoken as me. So this Dr after reviewing the xrays and blowing them up and feeling all over inside of her mouth suggested he did not think it was it. He said that if it was it then she would react to certain pressure, while he was putting pressure in all areas of her mouth. BUT i understand that this disease does not always react. It can come on at different times and go away for months, with no problem. This is the case with my mom. During the episodes it always happens when she eats, drinks, or even like yesterday when I put on some makeup on her cheek she had a episode.
My question is do people with this always have constant pain when touched?Do you always have trigger points? Like what this Dr. said when he probed in her mouth. Doesn't it go away at times (remission)? My stepdad has not had much problems with her episodes maybe a couple in the last wk, but my brother and I have had her react more so. We watch her when he works. She grabs the same side of her face-jaw area and basically screams out crying.
I know I am rambling on, hope i am not bothering you, but I know Dr's can be wrong. I prefer to talk to someone who has it.
What do you suggest it could be?
Thank you,
Diana

Originally Posted by momof3girls

Took my mom to Vanderbilt ER yesterday and they did a CT which didn't reveal anything but they are certain it is TN. It is so hard for the DR's to communicate with her so I brought them pictures of her going through the attacks. So finally they believe it.
They put her on neurontin.