After reading through a number of posts (this site is great!), I now know what I probably have is TN2, but is this ATN? Also, what kind of MRI should I ask my neuro to prescribe to check my trigeminal nerve? What are we looking for?
I'm looking to get to Jefferson in Philly, but that appointment isn't for another three weeks. All of my work so far has been with Cooper in NJ.
My symptoms worsen when I do any strenuous/cardio activity, when I'm stressed, don't get enough sleep or talk a lot. This is all on the left side of my head. I get a burning sensation that gets worse throughout the day, depending on how active I was. And there is a sharp pain occasionally in my temple. There is 'tightness' all around the area as well.
I spoke to a family friend who heads a headache support group in the area and after explaining all of my symptoms and history to him he said sounds like TN.
TN2 and ATN are the same thing.They are characterized by burning constant pain, as opposed to the lightning strikes of Type I.
Tell your neuro everything you have said here. Write down a description of your pain before you visit, so you are not flustered on the day. Where you describe your symptoms worsening with certain activities, has a common denominator here.
And good luck, don't be fobbed off. I started my first neuro appointment by saying I was in severe pain, I was at my wits end and so looked forward to her help. She was marvelous. it put us both on a positive wavelength.
I am so glad I read your post. You sound like you have very similar symptoms to those that I have experienced over the last three years. There are not many I have read about that have ATN pain in the V1 region. My burning headaches are mostly over my left eyebrow and on the bridge of my nose. My right side is also presenting pain as well at times. My journey took me to five different neuros until I found my doctor at the University of Utah. I was finally accurately diagnosed and have been treated since then. I have taken dozens of medications and last summer I had MVD surgery. They found the compression on the MRI my doctor at the U of U ordered. When I first presented the symptoms I had my first MRI. I guess it was not the best MRI since no doctor could see a compression. It wasn't seen until I got the detailed one I got at the U. I just looked into my charts and this is the explanation of what was ordered.
EXAMINATION: MRA of the brain
FINDINGS: MRA of the brain was performed using the following sequences: Three-dimensional time of flight imaging, multiplanar reformatted images.
I hope this helps you, because obviously there is a difference in brain MRI's.
I would love to talk to you further if you have questions about what I have gone through. As I said, I have not found many with the symptoms that you and I are presenting. Feel free to email me at ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ if you want to talk.