Facial neuralgia

[HeadFairy]

I get such terrible pain in my jaw and face whenever I go out in even remotely cold weather. It doesn't need to be seriously cold, anything below about 12 or 10 degrees. My dentist and GP are pretty useless, I use sensitive toothpaste but it's not my teeth that hurt and I can drink cold drinks fine without it happening.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to deal with the pain in my jawbone? It only lasts about 30 mins but it's so intense I feel like I want to smash my own face in with a hammer! Coming out of the cold into a warm room doesn't make any difference.

Ask for another opinion from your gp. And try medication. I've been on gabapentin for neuralgia for 10 years and it makes the difference between being able to function and not.
If funds allow, you could go private and see a neurologist. I found out who I'd be seen by at the NHS hospital, then looked to see if they did private work. One initial appointment got me the diagnosis. The rest of the tests etc I then waited for via the NHS.

Is the medication super fast acting? I ask because it's hard to predict when it hits, it only lasts about 30 mins but it is so agonising when it does hit. Or is the idea to take medication all the time so it never strikes?

You start on a low dose, and build it up until you aren't having attacks any more. I take 3 x 600 a day and have done for ages.

My gp told me that it can remit and relapse. And I asked him how long to leave it if I thought I was in remission before stopping taking the tablets.

"Ages!" was his reply.

And in fact I have been on the medication for 10 years now. I take a bit less in summer when I have fewer attacks, and more in the winter or when I know I'll do something that will trigger it - exercise being one thing!