One of the most important questions I am asked, or rather one of the important phone calls I handle are tips on calming an attack of Trigeminal neuralgia. In other words:
How do I deal with a TN attack?
Well, primarily, it means that you have been diagnosed, and you recognize an attack. But before we learn how to deal with an attack of TN or learning how to calm the trigeminal nerve, we should first check that we have a few things in place.
- Do you keep a pain diary?
This is very important to recognize what events led up to the attack, its duration, frequency etc.
- Have you noticed any trigger factors that bring on an attack?
There are different trigger factors for different people, but the commonest are touch, brushing, eating and talking. Maintaining a pain diary helps identifying trigger factors.
- Have you noticed any actions that may reduce your pain?
Again, being observant and trying different remedies at home in the initial phases when the pain is not so severe can help.
- Have you noticed any foods that may bring on an attack?
Writing down in a pain diary will help narrow down pain-triggering foods. One of the problems of Trigeminal neuralgia medication is that there is an obtundation of memory and recall. Writing down helps recall, and can help others also analyze the things that led up to the attack. Also, identifying pain-safe foods for you will help ward off an attack.
Simple measures that may help calming down a Trigeminal neuralgia attack
- Hot water bottles / cold presses
- Pressure of entire palm on affected side: cupping the face with palm
- Medication like Tegretol, especially if you have forgotten to take a dose
- Capsaicin or hot pepper creams
- Seeking a calm atmosphere
- Going indoors and avoiding breeze
- Avoid long journeys
- Drink from a straw, eat soft foods so you don’t have to chew
- Light exercise to release natural pain-relieving hormones (for some, exercises like walking can worsen an attack).
My Trigeminal neuralgia attack keeps coming back. What do I do?
Unfortunately, if your TN attacks are non-responsive to medication and other measures, you might have to consider Microvascular decompression surgery. This is one of the treatment options, which when considered early on in the disease, can lead to a potential cure.
Dr Jaydev Panchwagh is a renowned neurosurgeon in Pune who is an internationally recognized surgeon for Trigeminal neuralgia treatment in India. he has performed over a thousand MVD procedures with a 98% success rate. He has an international patient service to help those patients coming from outside India.
He has a You Tube channel, Dr Jaydev Panchwagh, if you are interested in watching his lectures on Trigeminal neuralgia. There are also many patient testimonials, which help in allaying fear and anxiety about surgery. Our team has one of the best results in trigeminal neuralgia treatment in India.
You may contact the team which will lead you to avail of all our services.
