for most of you who don’t know I’m a 16 year old patient with Trigeminal Neuralgia, type 1 & 2. I’d like to ask you guys if you have noticed exercise HELPING you with your pain? I don’t exercise often, at all really, however I’m lucky not to be overweight because of my young and fast metabolism. I’ve noticed during my Phys Ed. classes I don’t get pain once I’m running around, it just completely goes away. So, I went running today, about 2 miles. After a few minutes of running and i started to lose my breath and get my blood flowing, the pain again, went away. Just completely. Now that I’m resting, it’s not completely gone, but it is definitely not happening as much. Is there any logic at all to this? From what I know, this should have the opposite effect! (No, I haven’t told my doctor yet. I have yet to see him with this knowledge.) Any input is appreciated.
Welcome to the site Thomas. I am considerably older than you and find that exercise or anything that bring my heart rate up cause me huge pain. I am happy that you can exercise as there are so many health benefits from releasing your natural endorphins like this. All the best on the journey.
I just posted about this the other day any kind of stimulation bothers me makes my head worse i used to do p90x i miss it so much sometimes i just wana force myself to do stuff but i know ill be in worse pain
I haven't exercised because I am scared it will make it worse. Maybe I will try the treadmill and walk slower with the incline higher so I won't step too hard and see what happens!
I have found that the shooting pain goes when i exercise but the cronic head i get along side it gets worse and i have to stop as i feel like my head ia going to pop… Its nice to hear that it can effect under 50s as im 22 and was doubting what they had told me just due to my age and the research i had done all said it is so so rare under 50 hope it keeps at bay for you and u are ok xx
I'm 57 and I have just within the month started to work out. It is the only time during the day when I KNOW I will be 100 per cent pain free. Didn't make sense to me either at first, but hey I'm enjoying it.
Currently I am working toward building up to 3 hours p/day working out on my elliptical or out walking/jogging when the weather is clear. Eleven years ago, when this began, and there was only super strong shooting pain (level 10), working out was useless and would cause an attack. (You can read my bio for the timeline of medical interventions.) Now I deal with anesthesia delorosa, in addition to the shooting pains being about a level 6, coming in intervals. Working out at least 20 minutes will release endorphins. These are morphine-like natural pain killers. Even if you stretch mildly, and are consciously breathing deeply, you will release these life-giving, pain-relieving, powerhouse chemicals. Plus…they are free and without negative side effects! Sometimes I will have pain-free moments during/after a workout, and sometimes the pain is still there, but my "perception" of it changes for the better…almost like I could care less if it is there, it does NOT "take" from my life at these times, it is simply in the background. If I am consistent with my current 1–1.5 hours each day, my life is so, so, so much easier to handle. Slowly my workout time will increase to 3 hours, which is much better than using a heating pad on my face for this length of time! Thomas, find what works for your body the best, keep a journal of some sort and share it with your doc. I'm glad you can find pain-free moments with exercise. I wish you many, many more! Take Care! LyndaS
I am 60 years old. When I work out with the trainer, do zumba or spin...i have no pain. The minute I stop the pain comes back with a vengence. Very weird.
Sometimes when I’m feeling just a little too good and push my exercise all hell might break out later that evening or the next day. I take my lumps and reset, let the pain calm, and then slowly start again and make note of what went wrong and try to stay out of that territory. But it is always changing because of other factors. Get to know these well. They are your helpers.
Best wishes and keep moving.
Hi Thomas, I am so happy that you found that exercise helps you! That is great news!
I have noticed that if I go for a bike ride around one of the local lakes, that my pain levels ramp up for a bit a first, but after a short while, they start to diminish and then improve. Overall, exercise helps me, if I can get past the rough start. If I ride an indoor stationary bike, I’m fine, so I think it’s literally the “bumps in the road” that tigger the initially heightened pain levels when I am outside. It’s worth it, though, to be able to hang out by the lake and see the ducks. I does me a world of good.
Lynda this is great encouragement! Chris too!! Thomas what a great thread! All of you have made me think and to start moving past the crappy issues this ugly disease has caused me. blessings~~
I was scared that exercise would make my pain worse so I avoided any for over a year. Then I felt I had to do something as my back would hurt constantly (I work on a PC all day). I now do yoga once or twice a week and it's fine I just have to be careful not to clench my teeth as I exercise, that definitely makes pain worse.
When I saw this I thought about endorphins Lynda mentioned as well (runners high)… I am not much of a runner though, so a few times a year I go backpacking. It’s Very strenuous walking up and down hills with a heavy pack, but the endorphins do kick in. With the beautiful scenery makes me forget about my pain most of the time.
Of course the rest of my body ends up hurting, but it is well worth it!
I was a runner before I got diagnosed with TN. It can be hit or miss for me when it comes to running. I found it to be an outlet where I can forget about it and it really helps with the pain. There have been days I head out for a run and end up coming back shortly after because of shocks starting. Overall, I found it to be benefical for my mental health stability in dealing with the TN. I am currently training for a half-marathon in April and I tailor the training around my worst days if need be. I am not sure if there is logic or not but if it makes you feel good then keep at it :)
I have been thinking about this more, and I think the key for me is to not do anything overly strenuous. I get my heart rate up, of course, but I don’t over do it. I’ve never been that athletic, but I have always loved to go for bike rides, long walks and to garden. It was a happy accident that I discovered that if I made it through the initial increased pain, that everything would get better. If that weren’t the case, though, I would still go on walks and plan the most low maintenance garden possible, just so that I could have some kind of physical activity that I could enjoy.
Take care, everyone.
Chris
ps. shepherdgirl, that is so awesome that you are feeling inspired by this thread!
