I have my TN episodes under control. I chose not to have surgery but instead have made life changes that has worked. I have been on such an even keel for the past year that I now recognize the early signs of "irritation" to the culprit nerves and respond before TN escalates to full blown horror. Occasionally I do have to use a muscle relaxant or prescribed pain medication. I'll take one or the other and never more than one tablet a week because I've discovered that any more than that becomes an irritant to my system and not an aid. Has anyone else chosen this path and if so what did you do and how many years did it take to get control?
Pollywollly,
Great name (BTW). Please share the life changes you made that have worked to control your TN.
I,too, have made life changes (i.e., forced retirement when working became impossible), diet change, etc. I am, however, taking the meds which seem to help. I do not like their side effects, though.
Happy to hear your chosen path is working.
Rissmal
Hi Rissmal,
I too am looking for changes others are making in their life to ward off the TN episodes. You mentioned food and that is of interest to me. I doubt that I have discovered all the toxins affecting my life. To stay safe and pain free I need to learn more. A lifelong task I’m thinking.
Briefly, mine has been a fifteen year trial and error journey. Doctors have been involved at different points along the way and they’ve given opinions and offered suggestions, medications, and operations. Mostly the journey has been on my own once they would give me their insight and direction.
You mentioned you are aware of how food can be toxic to you. My food knowledge began with tests. When the allergist did not discover any positives for food allergies, he told me that the tests he administered were not at all conclusive. He then suggested I go on an oligoantigenic diet to sort it out myself. With the diet, I found I have two true food allergies and several food intolerances. I am not even tempted to injest these particular foods because combined with other triggers they used to make my TN life miserable.
I also went gluten free (wheat gluten) and achieved a dramatic difference in the inflammation in my body. It took me a year to notice the big difference in the swelling in my fingers. Pretty big idea though that wheat gluten is a trigger. I think it must have to do with the constriction of blood vessels and such. Whatever inflammation does, I don’t have much of it these days so my TN isn’t set off as easily.
What have you done in the way of foods? Do you find you have trouble chosing foods when at a restaurant, and do you find yourself reading every label and wondering what in the heck are those chemicals that are being put into food?
Polly
Hi Polly,
Fifteen years is a long time to fight the TN battle. I am impressed by your positive attitude and perseverance.
To answer your specific question about foods: Nutrition has always been of great interest to me from my college days of eating vegan to the current culture of choosing organic foods, and the connection between our gut biome and overall health. I recommend the book, Brain Maker, which lays out in detail (with research support) the connection between our diet, our gut, and our brain (neurologic) health. The author provides evidence to support specific supplements, probiotics, and foods to help reduce inflammation in our bodies and our brains.
Recently, I've been following the Traditional Chinese Medicine diet recommended by my acupuncturist. Specifically, I am eating foods
to drain 'dampness': barley, corn, adzuki beans, garlic, mushrooms, mustard greens, chicken, alfalfa, shrimp, scallions, rye, anchovy, celery, corn, green tea, horseradish, kidney bean, lemon, mackerel, onion, parsley, pumpkin, radish, rye, turnip, and foods
to treat spleen Qi deficiency: cooked, warming foods like squash, carrots, potatoes, yams, rutabagas, turnips, leeks, onions, rice, oats, butter, small amounts of chicken, turkey, or beef, cooked peaches and cherries. Add ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper to dishes.
So, I follow the TCM diet and add in the recommendations from the Brain Maker book (only basic difference is adding in some fermented foods for probiotic properties).
Rather than worrying too much about reading labels, for me it's easier to make my own food from fresh, organic ingredients. There are some restaurants nearby that serve local, organic meals. Eating out is tough.......usually avoid it altogether.
I don't know if this diet is helping my TN, but it is helping my immune system and my overall health.
Hope this isn't Too Much Information. The topic of nutrition is fascinating to me and I think our world in general is poisoning itself with poor food choices.
Another AHA for me is that some of the foods I love the most (i.e., cheese, bread) are the worst for me.
Rissmal
Encouraging & hopeful I will “arrive” there soon!
Do stay in contact Stephanie. It sounds as if you also are approaching the TN situation with positive lifestyle changes and I'd like to know what you discover.
Polly Wolly
Stephanie said:
Encouraging & hopeful I will "arrive" there soon!
Hi Rissmal,
I think my reply disappeared. You may see it pop up somewhere...quick note though in case it is in the ethernet. Not too much information at all in your reply. I'm going to take some time to look closely and think about foods from your perspective. Today, because I have to rest up from doing too much yard work yesterday, we're going to the coast to do errands, have dinner, and go to a movie. Back to you later. Also, I found a special group on this site called "Success Stories" or something like that which I want to delve into. More later.
Polly Wolly
rissmal said:
Hi Polly,
Fifteen years is a long time to fight the TN battle. I am impressed by your positive attitude and perseverance.
To answer your specific question about foods: Nutrition has always been of great interest to me from my college days of eating vegan to the current culture of choosing organic foods, and the connection between our gut biome and overall health. I recommend the book, Brain Maker, which lays out in detail (with research support) the connection between our diet, our gut, and our brain (neurologic) health. The author provides evidence to support specific supplements, probiotics, and foods to help reduce inflammation in our bodies and our brains.
Recently, I've been following the Traditional Chinese Medicine diet recommended by my acupuncturist. Specifically, I am eating foods
to drain 'dampness': barley, corn, adzuki beans, garlic, mushrooms, mustard greens, chicken, alfalfa, shrimp, scallions, rye, anchovy, celery, corn, green tea, horseradish, kidney bean, lemon, mackerel, onion, parsley, pumpkin, radish, rye, turnip, and foods
to treat spleen Qi deficiency: cooked, warming foods like squash, carrots, potatoes, yams, rutabagas, turnips, leeks, onions, rice, oats, butter, small amounts of chicken, turkey, or beef, cooked peaches and cherries. Add ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper to dishes.
So, I follow the TCM diet and add in the recommendations from the Brain Maker book (only basic difference is adding in some fermented foods for probiotic properties).
Rather than worrying too much about reading labels, for me it's easier to make my own food from fresh, organic ingredients. There are some restaurants nearby that serve local, organic meals. Eating out is tough.......usually avoid it altogether.
I don't know if this diet is helping my TN, but it is helping my immune system and my overall health.
Hope this isn't Too Much Information. The topic of nutrition is fascinating to me and I think our world in general is poisoning itself with poor food choices.
Another AHA for me is that some of the foods I love the most (i.e., cheese, bread) are the worst for me.
Rissmal