I have multiple triggers and can’t seem to avoid them. 
What are triggers you all have, and how do you avoid them?
Thank you and hope you’re all well!
Most of my triggers are unfortunately weather related. Barometric pressure dropping when storms are brewing, high winds, etc.... Sometimes extreme stress does it too for me.
In the past my triggers have been eating something sweet or something salty, brushing my teeth, laughing, loud noises, wind on my face, drop in temperature or a lot of times just for no reason at all.
Hi, cold draughts, cleaning my teeth, sweet things hot an cold drinks, driving being a passanger, infact just living seems to trigger it. I am just glad that the Tegretol is beginning to keep it under control, I rap my face up when I go out an keep a heat pad in a scarf, I avoid suppermarkets talking when outside an use a straw to drink hot stuff hope this helps. Karen xx
Stress, videogames, people talking, me talking, weather sometimes. Smiling sucks! The hateful feeling I get when I'm in pain and I want someone to shut up also brings more pain. Just because I'm sensitive doesn't mean its there fault.
I do a lot less now, but medicine and a good attitude get me far. But quiet, rest, and an app called simply noise help alot .
Yea , hot and cold packs too , good point. Life savers
I dont leave home without one best thing ever ...have you tried to get someone off the phone cause you cant talk but they wont go away...nightmare Karen xx
thermotronica said:
Yea , hot and cold packs too , good point. Life savers
My trigger - the only one left now is grocery store - last half of it is freezer and fridge isle.....I'm going to start putting lidocaine cream on BEFORE store now! Never thought it could work as a preventative!
Before MVD -- every night - laying in bed - I could count it on the clock -- 8:30 pm at least 5 nights per week I had to put lidocaine patch on -- weird!
Definitely, weather change is a big one for me. If I can get an ice pack on it before it gets “full on”, plus the cream my Doc has formulated for me can keep the TN1 in check which in turn seems to not make TN2 from being so bad.
All of the above! And like Shindig, driving in the car, and for me buses, subways, are all just bad. Flying is fine but you have to get to the airport…
If I think of the triggers like being on an abacus, certain combinations are lethal. I’m always making mental calculations of “if I do this, I can’t do that”.
I went to the Kahn Academy website and learned about action potentials in neurones, so another way I make my calculations is to remember that I want to stay on the safe side of pain neurones firing because once they have been triggered, there is no stopping them.
Nothing to be done about storm fronts moving in except surrender (with extra heating bags, extra tramadol, keeping calm) and then recover. Since I have found and joined this community of fellow sufferers it really helps to login for communal support. My mental suffering has improved vastly.
Changes in barometric pressure have and still caused episodes of pain. But now I'm pretty sure that heat and humidity play a part as well. This last week has been the hottest and most humid of the summer and my attack started on Friday. I'm still suffering it Monday morning. Last summer, same thing. The summer before that, same thing. Anyone else?
Weather is also my BIGGEST trigger, the humidity bothers me bad too. Wet weather makes tn1 worse, it can be snow, rain etc. the barometric pressure, any change, makes tn2 BAD! So the weather here in Mi. hasn't been very pleasant for my tn.Not much I can do about the weather.(put me in a bubble! Lol) The rest are what others have said, along with what helps some.Washing my hair causes anxiety that can put me right over the top! It's getting my head wet and then any little air sets everything off.Many talk about light touches that set their tn off, my chin is the only light touch spot. Go figure! Lidocaine doesn't seem to help me to much. I have tried the gel the patches, the nose spray, even the mouth wash which that made things worse it burnt my mouth and lips. Wishing you a painfree day! Dawn
Mark said:
the cream my Doc has formulated for me can keep the TN1 in check which in turn seems to not make TN2 from being so bad.Hi Mark,What are the active ingredients in this cream? I have seen a thread on here regarding 'Gaklaxia' cream (brand name) which has the active ingredient Gallium Maltolate. I'd be interested to know of any 'active ingredients' that can help (in creams or other applications)Thanks,Tree :)
Biggest triggers are weather changes, wind (esp cold) in the ear, and acid/tangy foods. But also menstrual cycle, stress, loud noises, bright lights and possibly phases of moon (still tracking). I use earplugs almost everywhere to stop wind from getting in my ear. I also find that constant pressure helps very much. I am not advocating this, but for me, just a few sips of wine or vodka will kill the pain in an instant. strange
Talking, chewing, wind on my left side of the face can trigger a spark or two.
I just sit, remain calm and do not move seems to wok for me.
On oxacarbazepine. MVD failed afte 18 months. GK in dec 2014 is looking good so far.
Sergio
Just found a new trigger and i have to tell you. THIS IS WIERD!! I went yesterday for a pedi but this time i decided to pamper myself with the delux pedi bc it includes a calf massage. NEVER AGAIN. I had to stop the woman and apologize. It was difficult with the language barrier to explain that i know i paid for the delux pedi but PLEASE dont rub my calf. It made my face hurt in a way i have never felt before. I have left TN. Rubbing my right calf made the left side of my face hurt a little but rubbing my left calf was unbearable. Pain stopped as soon as she did. Any help explaining that one is greatly appreciated
Loud music (which I love), cold air, smiling, and talking are the things that get me pain-y. As a mom and teacher, I hate having to explain why I look like I am mad all the time. "Sorry kids, Ms. G doesn't want to be in extreme pain, so no smiles for you!" It is what it is, but it still sucks.
Weather is huge for me! Especially rain storms. Horrible. Next is windy weather and very cold weather. Ironically, sometimes extremely hot / humid weather will bother me. Driving in the car for more than about thirty minutes is also a bad trigger. Also extremely loud music. Ugh! Hate it all.
I’m sure chocolate is a trigger for me. Seems every time I eat chocolate or junk it comes on soon after