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Hello to everyone and thankyou for having me join your discussions.

I have now been diagnosed with TN ( by 2 different doctors ) and it has definately gotten worse over the time I first noticed the pain ( approx 6 months ago).

To explain the pain to a non-sufferer is almost impossible, as I myself am still coming to terms with this myself. I have given birth, and I have to say the pain of TN wins hands down!

I have been referred to see a neurosurgeon and neurologist. I figure at this point I will go with who ever can see me first, so I can at least get some answers.

My doctor has also given me some epilim ec to take, but after much research (as I always do) I am just not prepared to subject my body to those kind of drugs just yet. The possible side effects scare the crap out of me!

ok, so now for some questions.......I am wondering if anyone else gets triggers like mine?

I find if I talk to people out in public it always seems to trigger an attack. If i am relaxed and talking with my family the attack can occur but no where like if I am in public ( wonder if this is caused by my anxiety of getting an attack??)

Eating definately can trigger an attack, however not always.

Brushing my teeth can be ok sometimes and be a nightmare other times.

scratching my nose can cause an unbearable 10 minute attack

my pain starts from either in front of my right ear and radiates all the way through to my front teeth (bottom jaw) or can start from my back teeth and radiate through to my ear.

Between twinges (on and off all day) and attacks I can be totally pain free for a number of hours.

So far I am sleeping fine with no pain at all.

It feels so relieving to be writing all this and sharing it with people who will understand...thanks for listening x

I

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Rachel: Welcome and yes you are right to discribe this to a non suffer is difficult. I discribed it to my boss this way. First take a ground wire and attach it to the right side of your forhead about 1 inch above the eye, the touch a live wire to the bottom of your right jaw. Now that is a spike.

Since I have ATN I also added. When you are not having a spike, put a steel ball bearing in a rubber band and wrap that around your head with the ball bearing on your right temple. Snug for light days, thigh for moderate days and cutting off circulation on bad days. Now put a binder clip on your right cheek, small one for light days, medium one for moderate days and that big mommy jammer for bad days. Make sure someone adds a spike to you when you least expect it or want it, and make sure that they do it once one time and then several times in row and mix it up to keep you on your toes.

Talking in public is a bear for me. brushing my gums or shaving or eating, sometimes I can get away with it sometimes not. A cold breeze on the side of my face is a killer almost everytime. (open car window will do the trick) My Doctor told me that stress can intensife an attack. Don't know about that but sounds about right from what others here have said.

Again Welcome, learn your triggers, what your limitations are, and live life to the fullest your can.

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Rachael,

I share your many of your triggers and symptoms. You said...

my pain starts from either in front of my right ear and radiates all the way through to my front teeth (bottom jaw) or can start from my back teeth and radiate through to my ear.

Between twinges (on and off all day) and attacks I can be totally pain free for a number of hours.

That describes my pain exactly. I am also sensitive around my eye and temple, but not nearly like the sharp pains I have in front of my ear and into my teeth. I was just diagnosed, and haven't been out of the house much since the attacks started, so I don't know what my experience in public will be like. I haven't been triggered by talking to my family though so I am hoping I don't have to keep my trap shut to avoid pain. It is hit or miss with eating...sometimes I eat a regular meal and other times I can only handle a smoothie because chewing becomes a trigger.

I am finding that the pain episodes are hard to predict. I am totally fine one minute and in severe pain the next. Then it goes away just as quickly. Very weird symptoms.

Jerry - I LOVED your description of the pain. Very acurate!