Can people with Trigeminal Neuralgia work? What kind of work can they perform?

See how people with experience in Trigeminal Neuralgia give their opinion about whether people with Trigeminal Neuralgia can work and what kind of jobs are more appropriated for people with Trigeminal Neuralgia

Can people with Trigeminal Neuralgia work?

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for transmitting sensations from the face to the brain. The intense facial pain caused by TN can be debilitating and significantly impact a person's quality of life. However, whether individuals with TN can work or not depends on the severity of their symptoms and the nature of their job.

Severity of Symptoms:

The severity of TN symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals may experience occasional mild pain episodes, while others may have frequent and excruciating attacks. The intensity and frequency of pain can influence a person's ability to work. Those with milder symptoms may find it easier to continue working, while individuals with severe and frequent pain may face more challenges.

Treatment and Management:

Proper treatment and management of TN can play a crucial role in enabling individuals to work. Medications such as anticonvulsants or muscle relaxants are commonly prescribed to help control pain. In some cases, surgical interventions or nerve blocks may be recommended. It is essential for individuals with TN to work closely with their healthcare providers to find the most effective treatment plan for their specific condition.

Workplace Accommodations:

For individuals with TN, certain workplace accommodations can make it easier to manage their condition while working. These accommodations may include:

Flexible work hours: Allowing individuals to adjust their work schedule to accommodate pain episodes or medical appointments.

Remote work options: Providing the opportunity to work from home, which can reduce stress and minimize triggers that may worsen TN symptoms.

Modifications to the work environment: Adjusting lighting, noise levels, or temperature to create a more comfortable and less triggering workspace.

Regular breaks: Allowing individuals to take short breaks to rest, practice relaxation techniques, or take medication as needed.

Supportive colleagues and supervisors: Creating a supportive work environment where colleagues and supervisors are understanding and accommodating of the individual's condition.

Types of Work:

The type of work that individuals with TN can perform depends on their specific symptoms, limitations, and abilities. While some individuals may need to make significant career changes, others may be able to continue working in their current field with appropriate accommodations. Here are some examples of work that individuals with TN may consider:

Desk jobs: Jobs that involve minimal physical exertion and allow individuals to control their work environment, such as administrative roles, writing, or computer programming.

Remote work: Jobs that can be done from home or any location with internet access, such as freelance writing, graphic design, or virtual assistance.

Flexible work arrangements: Jobs that offer flexible hours or part-time options, allowing individuals to manage their symptoms and work when they are feeling better.

Self-employment: Starting a small business or pursuing entrepreneurship can provide individuals with more control over their work environment and schedule.

Advocacy and support roles: Working in organizations or non-profits that focus on raising awareness, providing support, or conducting research on chronic pain conditions.

Conclusion:

While Trigeminal Neuralgia can be a challenging condition to manage, many individuals with TN are able to continue working with the right treatment, support, and workplace accommodations. It is important for individuals with TN to work closely with their healthcare providers and employers to find the best strategies for managing their symptoms while maintaining their employment. With the appropriate measures in place, individuals with TN can lead fulfilling and productive work lives.

Diseasemaps

Posted Mar 17, 2017 by Debbie K 1050

Depends on the pain levels and frequency of attacks. I'd say no.

Posted Mar 17, 2017 by Lee 1000

Some can and some cant.
And best would be If there is work where you can take it at your own speed

Posted Mar 17, 2017 by Tanja-Marie 1340

I think that work would depend on the degree that the Trigeminal nerves are effected. It would depend on pain control and management well as the type of medications being used. I think that more people suffer with this condition than is reported. I suffered for years, had all my upper teeth removed except 5 front, had multiply sinus surgeries and many maxillary procedures done. To later be told it was not necessary and did make matters worse. Through 30 years of this I continued to work, but fortunately my work is flexible and understanding.

Posted Mar 20, 2017 by Joyce Parton 1000

I believe people with trigeminal neuralgia can work in any field, so long as their pain does not interfere with their ability to complete tasks. I would guess that approximately between 3% and 4% of people with trigeminal neuralgia, if not less, work in any field, considering the overall prevalence and the fact that most patients are diagnosed when they are close to retirement age.

Posted Mar 21, 2017 by Sandy 1052

People with trigeminal neuralgia can work but exposing yourself constantly to wind or sun can trigger the pain

Posted Mar 21, 2017 by Hema 1000

You can work if your symptoms and supports facilitate this.

Posted Mar 21, 2017 by Heidi 1000

Yes absolutely, there is no restriction on the work you could do. Some drugs may limit the suitability of druving heavy machinery etc however.

Posted Mar 22, 2017 by Denise 350

I was told that I could not work or drive because I Trigeminal Neuralgia A typical

Posted May 24, 2017 by Nancy 2250

I work full time but have FMLA for badd days. My worstvdays always seem to ne Friday through Monday's.

Posted May 29, 2017 by Julie Nelson 700

Yes, people with TN can work.
However, the ability to work can vary greatly among individuals suffering from the condition.

Fields that are more physically demanding or jobs that require a lot of talking, such as receptionist or sales, for example, may be too challenging.

Quite a few people with TN work from home or start up their own business.

Posted Jun 11, 2017 by Margo 3125

Depends on the sufferer, particularly frequency and intensity of attacks, whether chronic or episodic suffering and psychological endurance of extreme pain.

Posted Jun 14, 2017 by John 900

I work now I'm taking botox injections and they're working for me. There was a time when I was so severe that I couldn't work for about 18 months. I have a desk job. I cant image doing a Manuel labor job with TN. Things like mowing my grass cause an attack for me. I will tell you at end of the day lots of time I'm in pain because TN won't let you keeo your head bent over.

Posted Jul 29, 2017 by Jltaylor21 820

Can only speak for myself:
Trileptal = oxcarbazepine was too sweating and debilitating for me to continue work as a hospital nurse.
I resigned and chose another (less lucrative) occupation.

Posted Jul 29, 2017 by Christina 1100

Yes but only very drugged or in remission stage.

Posted Jul 30, 2017 by Poison Yvy 2015

Yes.
This is varied significantly by the person.
I would not work in an enviroment where I'm exposed to cold/wind and one with a lot of noise or need to speak.
Since not everyone has the same type, branches or severity this is an impossible question to answer.
If you think you can work- work. It'll help take the focus of the scary nature of the new diagnosis. You'll know when you can't anymore.

Posted Jul 30, 2017 by Julia 500

It completely depends on how bad your pain is, if you are relapsing, your job type, how well your pain is being controlled, it's very individual.

Posted Aug 6, 2017 by Michelle 2050

Yes, we can working autonomy.

Posted Sep 8, 2017 by Zuzana C.V. 300

Some do work. I would think it depends on level of pain

Posted Oct 3, 2017 by Korine 1200

I think we'll managed Trigeminal Neuralgia would enable you to work in most fields although talking may be difficult for some people and work in cold, windy environments should be avoided.

Posted Nov 23, 2017 by Carol 800

This disorder causes many levels of pain but we are l affected by it even if it's in remission. Ptsd of the pain caused me the constant worry of mind bending pain. I am tougher because of my disabilities. IDDM 30 years,chronic renal failure,sleep apnea, and all the problems of dialysis. You can do what ever you set your mind to do. Even being turtured by Trigeminal neuralgia.

Posted Feb 4, 2018 by James 2500

I know many people with trigeminal neuralgia that can work I work part-time from home. If I'm being able to control my environment enables me to have less pain. It really depends on what type of TN you have.

Posted Feb 23, 2018 by Alicia 2600

The worse the symptoms get the harder it is to work. I worked as a teacher when it was at it’s worst, for several years before having successful MVD.

Posted Apr 21, 2018 by Rennierich 400

It depends on the severity of the pain, age, and time. In my opinion, the pain was so severe, I could not have worked in any capacity for at least 3 months, and I worked at home in an service industry.

Posted May 18, 2018 by Jackie 1800

No, I don't think every field of endeavor is good for folk with trigeminal neuralgia. Heavy construction, for example, would not be a good option. I have known legal experts who practiced and had trigeminal neuralgia. I think service oriented work is good, academic work, and other fields that do not impose extraordinary stressors upon a person's physical aspect are fine. There don't appear to be any celebrities have trigeminal neuralgia; otherwise the disease would have a ready-made platform for educating others. There is such a small percentage of folk with this disease that I don't think there would be many who do just about anything; therefore I conservatively estimate that perhaps 1% or less of folk with trigeminal neuralgia would work in any field.

Posted Feb 12, 2020 by Eric 2550

Yes work is possible subject to ability, stress & acceptance by the employer. There are signs & areas which can be triggers but these can come more to light with experience & record keeping.
One big factor that must be considered is safety of the sufferer & of others probably achieved using a safety review realising the impact of the sudden lack of control of machinery used within the particular field - dropping a pen in an office is safer than dropping a container when unloading a ship.
There's a guess that approximately between 3% and 4% of people with trigeminal neuralgia, if not less, work in any field, the overall prevalence that most patients are diagnosed when they are close to retirement age.

Posted Oct 7, 2021 by Tim 400

Translated from spanish Improve translation

not the 2o percent

Posted Mar 3, 2017 by Ignacio 1000