What does Trigeminal neuralgia pain feel like?

What does Trigeminal Neuralgia pain feel like? It is a thought that crosses many a family member’s mind. Unlike a brain tumor or a fracture or a pimple or hernia, pain cannot be seen by others. Only the sufferer who experiences it knows.  Others can only wonder and empathize.

Facial pain is the only symptom of this terrible disease of Trigeminal Neuralgia. The pain comes in waves, lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes, and subsides. The pain of Trigeminal neuralgia feels like electric shock to some patients. To others it feels like a knife is being stabbed repeatedly. For a few others the Trigeminal neuralgia pain feels like chili powder being rubbed on the face.

How long does the pain of Trigeminal neuralgia last?

The pain of TN lasts from a few seconds to a few minutes. Very rarely it may last for hours or become continuous. In the initial stages of the disease, the facial pain attacks are less frequent and may be brought on by some trigger factors like talking, chewing and brushing. Later on these trigger factors for Trigeminal neuralgia may be less evident and the pain becomes more persistent. what does Trigeminal neuralgia pain feel like in sleep? It generally allows the sufferer to sleep initially, but makes it impossible to live with. The Trigeminal neuralgia never really goes away, but lingers on and threatens to become a full-blown attack any time, unexpectedly.

Can stress cause Trigeminal Neuralgia?

The cause for Trigeminal neuralgia pain is usually a compression of the Trigeminal nerve by either a blood vessel or a tumor. On its own, stress does not cause Trigeminal neuralgia. However, Facial pain attacks may be brought on by stressful conditions.

How to get rid of trigeminal neuralgia pain?

Initially the treatment of the pain of trigeminal neuralgia is by medication like carbamazepine. Then other semi-invasive treatment may be tried, but are generally only temporary in nature.

What is the permanent treatment of trigeminal neuralgia?

MicroVascular Decompression surgery or MVD surgery is the only potential permanent treatment of trigeminal neuralgia or facial pain.

Where is treatment of trigeminal neuralgia done in India?

Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia is done by neurologists to prescribe medicines. But the cure for trigeminal neuralgia is MVD surgery, and is done by a neurosurgeon.

How to choose a neurosurgeon for MVD surgery?

A neurosurgeon who is a Trigeminal Neuralgia specialist is essential because these are not frequently performed surgeries and need a neurosurgeon who has long experience in MVD surgeries. Dr Jaydev Panchwagh has performed more than 1350 MVD surgeries and has a tremendous experience in treating trigeminal neuralgia. Many patients with failed MVD surgeries come to his MVD Centre of excellence in Pune for revision surgeries.