If you have/have had Trigeminal Neuralgia, how did it start?

[plsdontlookatme]

A few months ago I had a terrible attack of incapacitating shooting pain down one side of my face. I was abroad at the time so didn't see a doctor or anything as it didn't reoccur. Recently, though, it seems to be making a comeback - it's like an electric shock/stabbing pain through my eye socket that radiates into my upper and lower jaw on that side. I've had an eye test and a panoramic dental x-ray recently, so I know it isn't eyestrain or an undiagnosed dental issue. Does this sound like trigeminal neuralgia or something else? Thank you!

Sounds a lot like trigeminal neuralgia to me. I don’t have it my MIL did.

You need to see a doctor though.

I had it after having a wisdom tooth removed - NHS - wrenched my mouth open too far. Had it on and off for two years or so. Was prescribed epilepsy meds which kept it at bay. Go to doctors, it’s not called the suicide disease for nothing. Very painful!

Go to the doctors, it does sound like it might be.
My Dad has it and takes daily medication for it.
there was a BBC article about it recently, the person was describing it as feeling as if a screwdriver was drilling into his face.

I have it. It sounds very like it to me. One thing, if standard over the counter meds like ibuprofen help, it's not nerve pain. If they don't help, it does help diagnose as neural pain.

I have been taking gabapentin for TN for over 12 years now and have good pain management with it. The first meds I was prescribed I didn't get on with and had too many side effects.

Go to your gp and ask for a referral to a neurologist. I had an MRI and lumbar puncture to rule out things and to find the cause for my TN.

Sorry to hear that! I had an upper wisdom tooth taken out on the side of my face where I now get nerve pain a couple of months before the first attack. I have wondered if this might have been the trigger but I had the x-ray beforehand to check the nerve placement and it was an easy extraction (the dentist popped it out with a luxator, didn't even need forceps). I have a doctor's appt tomorrow so I'll ask them then.

It may also be cluster headaches my husband suffers from them the symptoms are similar

It does sound like TN.

Mine came out of the blue when I was eating a yoghurt 30 years ago. No obvious cause at all.

I know what will trigger an attack ( a cold wind mostly) and provided I avoid them I get very few attacks now. There are drugs that can help but I can manage very well without them fortunately.

Mine is caused because the artery rubs on the trigeminal nerve in a couple of places. It's the same on both sides, but luckily I only have symptoms on the left hand side. Apart from the cold and touch, exercise is also a trigger for me.

I get it with fibromyalgia. Mine starts where the jaw meets the area in front of the ear.

I had this and it was excruciating. Dental checks etc couldn’t find anything but I went back to a different dentist and they took out a root nerve. Instantly cured. Wouldn’t wish if on anyone, even breathing hurt.