How do I know if I have Trigeminal Neuralgia?

What signs or symptoms may make you suspect you may have Trigeminal Neuralgia. People who have experience in Trigeminal Neuralgia offer advice of what things may make you suspicious and which doctor you should go to to receive treatment

How to Determine if You Have Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for transmitting sensations from the face to the brain. The condition is characterized by sudden, severe facial pain that can be triggered by even mild stimuli such as eating, talking, or touching the face. If you suspect you may have Trigeminal Neuralgia, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. However, there are several signs and symptoms that can help you determine if you might be experiencing this condition.

1. Facial Pain

The hallmark symptom of Trigeminal Neuralgia is intense facial pain. The pain is typically described as sharp, shooting, or electric shock-like, and it is usually limited to one side of the face. The pain can be triggered by normal activities like brushing teeth, applying makeup, or even a light breeze on the face.

2. Pain Triggers

Trigeminal Neuralgia pain is often triggered by specific actions or stimuli. Common triggers include eating, drinking, talking, smiling, touching the face, or even a slight movement of the facial muscles. The pain can be sudden and excruciating, lasting from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.

3. Pain Distribution

The pain associated with Trigeminal Neuralgia is usually limited to specific areas of the face. It commonly affects the lower part of the face, including the lips, jaw, teeth, and gums. The pain may also radiate to the forehead, eyes, or ears on the same side as the affected trigeminal nerve.

4. Frequency and Duration

Trigeminal Neuralgia pain tends to occur in episodes or attacks. These episodes can vary in frequency and duration, with some individuals experiencing multiple attacks per day, while others may have longer intervals between episodes. The pain can be debilitating and significantly impact daily activities.

5. Absence of Other Symptoms

Trigeminal Neuralgia is primarily characterized by facial pain without any visible signs of abnormalities. Unlike other facial conditions, there are usually no visible rashes, swelling, or redness associated with Trigeminal Neuralgia. If you notice any additional symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis. Trigeminal Neuralgia can be challenging to diagnose, as the symptoms may overlap with other conditions. A healthcare professional will evaluate your medical history, conduct a physical examination, and may order additional tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.

Remember, self-diagnosis is not recommended, and only a qualified healthcare professional can provide an accurate diagnosis. If you suspect you may have Trigeminal Neuralgia or any other medical condition, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional for appropriate evaluation and treatment.

Diseasemaps

When you have symptoms such as sharp, relentless pain on just one side of your face, especially inside your teeth or jaw, that comes and goes, you can suspect a diagnosis of TN.
The pain is often triggered by chewing, cold wind, brushing your teeth or even sitting in a moving car and is usually short and fleeting, but it can also be a more constant dull type of pain.
When you have pain on both sides of your face, it is usually not TN but something else, such as sinusitis for example.

However, you need to realise that there are a lot of different types of facial pain, which are extremely difficult to diagnose.

Therefore, you should consult your GP as soon as possible and ask for a referral to a neurologist who can provide you with an accurate diagnosis.

Posted Jun 12, 2017 by Margo 3125

sudden and horrific pain in one or both side of your face that branch out to your ear and/or eye and/or jaw and/or eye that lasts from 20sec-hours
pain is caused or multiplied by eating,touching,wind...

Posted Jul 30, 2017 by Poison Yvy 2015

Extreme facial pain on one side, numbness, electric shock like pain in face, teeth, eye, cheek. Burning pain in same areas. The pain is unbelievable, it's not mild at all, the most intense and extreme pain I have ever felt. The pain can move around and change.,

Posted Aug 6, 2017 by Michelle 2050

Face pain that is so strong on the pain scale in nursing chart of 7 or 8. Guarding the affected side ,crying out,going into a fetal position .

Posted Feb 4, 2018 by James 2500

Extreme pain unlike anything you have ever experienced before that last for hours on end, or low level of unending Facial Pain are the two most common types. The Facial Pain can extend into the jaw and neck, sometimes it is unilateral sometimes it is bilateral... and sometimes your skull just feels like it's cracking open like the Grand Canyon!
My neurologist took some time figuring out if it was trigeminal neuralgia or cluster migraines, but work with a neurologist for your diagnosis

Posted Feb 23, 2018 by Alicia 2600

The main signs/symptoms are the unexpected, sudden shooting pains through one side of the face that can last as little as several seconds to as much as a couple of minutes, sometimes as single bursts, sometimes in waves. Also, there is an accompanying searing or burning sensation before or after an outburst of pain shock(s). It is "dormant" when you are asleep; that is, it doesn't make itself known as you slumber.

Little things can set it off, from chewing your food to sucking soda through a straw, kissing your partner or loved one, a mild breeze, an absentminded brush of your brow, washing your hair, brushing your teeth. Again, it all depends upon the individual.

The first thing to do is not to panic. Next is to educate yourself. The best doctor to see is a neurosurgeon who specializes in such diseases as Trigeminal Neuralgia. Fortunate is the person whose PCP knows what it is—I had to tell mine . . . and he had to look it up before confirming the diagnosis.

Posted Feb 13, 2020 by Eric 2550

You will have such excruciating pain on one or the other side of your face in your teeth in your eyes you will know you won't be able to brush your teeth you won't be able to brush your hair you won't be able to feel the wind on your face the sunlight will hurt you

Posted Jun 3, 2020 by Nancy 2250