Trigeminal Neuralgia wtf?!

[Constantsarechanging]

seriously it was just a headache... Or so I thought.

GP has diagnosed this (35 years old). Given tegretol 100mg. the GP was pretty blasie - here's an NHS website print out and a prescription.. bye.

Does anyone have experience with this condition or drug?! Is this forever?

I did a quick search and found a few old posts on here but wondering if there's still folks here who can advise..

@Constantsarechanging good luck. I think it's quite difficult for anybody to understand just how awful it is unless you've actually experienced it. Even my family and friends who totally sympathised with me and helped me out couldn't describe to you just how bad the pain really was, in fact it's hard for me to even put into words so I see why some doctors don't know if they've only read about it. I hope it's not that, and it turns out to be something that can be fixed or is more managable, I wouldn't wish TN on my worst enemy!

This doesnt sound like TN to me. OTC painkillers wouldn't touch it, and it's normally more of a nerve pain than a headache. Is it on one side of your face?

It sounds more like TMJ dysfunction? You already wear a guard and grind your teeth. If you grind your teeth at night you are working out those muscles all night, i can almost garuntee someone who grinds their teeth at night will have some muscular problems at some point. You might need a different type of guard or a new guard.

Pain in temples is classic sign and tightness in jaw. I know its basic but if it is TMJ issues then voltarol rubbed in can help.

If the GP is still insistent is TN try and get a referral to maxfax or neurology. I'd probably start with Maxfax if you aren't convinced it's TN, and if they think it's TN and neurology need to be involved they will go from there.

I don't think it is TN.
I think it's more likely TMD/TMJ.

Everyone on here has been invaluable, I'm sympathetic to anyone having gone through TN, whilst this is the worst headache I've ever had the fact that I can have intermittent relief is comforting..

I'm getting a second opinion and now with this having shook me I'll ask more questions and if needed push for a referral.

I wasted about 4 years being told I had TN or similar but my symptoms were very similar to yours with pressure helping etc... I also grind. I was helped by a good new night guard made by someone who understands TMJ (temporimandibular -sorry it's late and I can't spell - jaw disfunction) and treatment from a chiropractor who specialises in jaw problems. It took me years to find all this so I sincerely hope this helps you more swiftly! FWIW I have very very little pain now in comparison to the bad years since finding these treatments - no tablets involved.

Hi, how are you now?