Hello! I am not familiar with the set up of this message board, so I hope this is ok that I'm posting my own thread.
I am 32 with 5 children I was diagnosed with TN on the right side of my face in 2007 when my 4th child was an infant. I refused meds at that point because I was nursing. I honestly had thought up to that point that daily headaches and pain were normal. I told the doctor "I had 4 kids, it's to be expected, right?" And he looked at me like I was crazy. Perhaps I am! The TN would only "flare up" about once every other month or so and last about a week. It was never terribly bad (never as bad as the three weeks prior to me being diagnosed). In July of 2009 I was diagnosed with TN on the left side as well. I had baby #5 in July of 2010 and it's been all downhill since then.
I still do not take daily medication. I know one person locally who has TN (had surgery in Pittsburgh) and her stories about the meds really do scare me. I homeschool our five kids and need to be able to focus and continue to take care of our household. I feel like at least now when I have bad days, I might not do much BUT there are still good/better days where I function pretty well. I bought an ultrasound machine and do use that on occasion but some days it can trigger my TN and that makes me afraid to use it on a good day, if that makes sense.
We had to switch insurances and anything TN or migraine related is now pre existing and I have three more years to get coverage. I am looking into another insurance that will lower the wait time to one year.
I also have had shingles (on my face) numerous times - I'm guessing at least a dozen by now. I don't know if it has anything to do with the TN or vice versa, but it's another thing to be bothered by!
August was the worst month I've had so far and that's about when I joined here, but was still in too much pain to really post or figure out how this site works. I am looking forward to meeting others that understand!
Peace,
Kimberly