This site will be migrating soon. Be on the lookout for the announcement. There will be a change though. This community will be part of a new community (that also includes TN)called Living with Facial Pain Here is a part of the introduction to that community:
"Chronic facial pain syndromes effect as much as 1% of the population. Two of the better known conditions but among the rarest are Trigeminal Neuralgia and Glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Many other Facial Pain Syndromes that cause similar symptoms and Chronic pain have been classified by numerous terms. In past the few years pain specialists have attempted to classify these syndromes by a number of names including atypical facial pain, Type 2TN, Type 7TN, atypical trigeminal neuralgia (ATN), trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) and atypical facial neuralgia (AFP). Most recently the term Persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) has been used to describe facial pain that is usually of long duration, lasting most of the day (if not continuous), is unilateral, and is without autonomic signs or symptoms. It is described as a severe ache, crushing sensation, or burning sensation. There simply is no consensus, even among practitioners (We had a very dismayed member for example, who was told by her “famous” facial pain specialist that there is no TN2.
While this site continues to provide Support for TN and GPN, we have come to realize that many other facial pain patients attempt to deal with their disease within the GPN or TN communities. While there is much in common in dealing with the day to day challenges off Chronic facial pain, there is often frustration among the groups when it comes to treatments both drug, surgical and other interventions. For that reason, we have expanded our opportunities for continued Peer to Peer support to include other Chronic facial pain syndromes. We have chosen to lump them into the Persistent idiopathic facial pain category."
Even today I see on both TN and GPN communities frustrated member trying to fit in to one of these diseases. I also see the frustration of the members of these communities dealing with the "classic disease" trying to support these folks. HOPEFULLY the new community can serve all three groups better by sharing with each other what we have in common in daily challenges and frustrations and at the same time serve the TN and GPN communities. You will still have the specific discussions and discussion areas you have now (they will come over in tact) but you will have the experice of mnay new facial pain patients.
TJ