Trigemenal Neuralgia

[smudge742]

It appears that my partner may have this, does anyone here know anything about it? He has severe pain in his face, which reduces him to tears. We have seen a locum doctor who thinks this is what it is, but can't see the GP until tomorrow. Any ideas how he can reduce the pain in the meantime.

[bensmum]

I have a friend who has this and it is the one thing which reduces him to tears too. My mother also gets it although not as badly. The only thing they can do is take strong painkillers - can you get to a pharmacy and try to get the strongest you can buy until you can see the GP? There are also some good websites which might be able to give advice.

[Fay Mousse]

I've had five bouts in four years - absolutely shocking pain that will make anybody cry.

Nothing I could get over the counter helped but the doctor prescribed Tegretol (carbamazapine) which is usually prescribed for epilepsy. After 20 minutes it literally switches the pain off for me.

As he can't get to the gp go to the pharmacist - there should be one open locally today - and ask his advice.

[yogasun]

Yes, it is one of the most extremely painful complaints known. I had a bout of it many years ago and thankfully it was solved overnight by the removal of an upper wisdom tooth. A friend of ours suffered with this debilitating problem for many years until he underwent an operation where a nerve was cut (I think) and years of pain vanished overnight. When I had it it was treated with carbamazepine with some relief but things may have changed now. Just get the strongest pain killers in the meantime. It's like waves of throbbing pain along the nerve. Have a 'Google' and it will explain more than I can. Good luck.

[mightymouse]

I also had this condition, and Tegretol helped. A visit to my dentist suggested that a rear tooth was slightly loose and in contact with a nerve. Had the tooth removed, no problems since. May be worth seeing your dentist.