Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, is a condition that affects the trigeminal nerve (the 5th cranial nerve), one of the largest nerves in the head.

What does neuralgia mean? Simply.. a nerve in pain.

The trigeminal nerve is responsible for sending impulses of touch, pain, pressure, and temperature to the brain from the face, jaw, gums, forehead, and around the eyes.

This type of headache is characterized by a sudden, severe, electric shock-like or stabbing pain typically felt on one side of the jaw or cheek.

It usually attacks women more than in men and rarely affects anyone younger than 50.

Many times it is brought on after dental work or having a virus. Sometimes the cause is unknown.

The attacks of pain, which generally last several seconds and may be repeated one after the other, may be triggered by talking, brushing teeth, touching the face, chewing, or swallowing.

It may come and go throughout the day and last for days, weeks, or months at a time, and then disappear for months or years.

Some patients may have an atypical form of the neuralgia in that the pain is constant. These patients may be good candidates for surgery (see below).

Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Unlike migraine, this neuralgia does NOT respond to the drugs typically used for migraines.

The most commonly used drugs are Neurontin (gabapentin), Trileptal, and the newer drugs Lyrica and Lamictal, which can be very effective, but treatment is dose dependent.

Klonopin has been shown in some cases to be effective, but I have not seen this to be as effective as the other medications.

Side effects of Neurontin included drowsiness, dizziness and numbness and tingling.

For the most part, studies have shown that steriods and opiods are not effective in treating this neurological disorder. Read more about trigeminal neuralgia treatment.

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