We are patients living with Trigeminal Neuralgia, here for your support.

Maeve Female Cincinnati, OH United States: Share on Facebook

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Bilateral TN

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Photo posted by Maeve Sep 22, 2011

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Photos posted by Maeve Sep 22, 2011

I know it's been a long time.. not to say I've forgotten my life line - I haven't. I recently moved to Austin.

Status posted by Maeve Sep 22, 2011

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Maeve left a comment for Diana Parker

I'm so on FB now... of course too, out of pain, out of mind?

Apr 21, 2011

Bob Snodgrass left a comment for Maeve

You are sweet, Maeve! I'm sure I will continue to be a source of perspiration...So happy you are enjoying NOLA! My best dear Friend, bob

Feb 4, 2011

Maeve left a comment for Bob Snodgrass

Hi Bob, Congratulations on your becoming a moderator. I'm sure that new members of the group will find you quite a resource and inspiration. Maeve

Jan 22, 2011

pam gregory and Maeve are now friends Jan 12, 2011

Maeve replied to robyn holder's discussion 'Dental work'

Yes, my TN started with an abscessed tooth. Maeve

Oct 28, 2010

Maeve updated their profile Oct 28, 2010

Maeve replied to Cathy Collum's discussion 'Why not surgery?'

Hi Cathy, I haven't been on the forum for awhile as mentioned previously, a lot of TN patients after getting some relief tend to drift away from the site - but we don't totally go away. TN is a funny beast. I had been on medication for…

Oct 28, 2010

Just letting you know I'm in New Orleans these days and facial pain is at a minimum.

Status posted by Maeve Jul 21, 2010

After New Orleans and weather changes, I need no or little meds. A jab here and there... hope the reprieve continues for a long time!

Status posted by Maeve Apr 5, 2010

Diana Parker left a comment for Maeve

Hiya there Maeve!

Apr 2, 2010

Maeve replied to Jamie Talley's discussion 'New and Need Advice'

Hi Jamie, With your symptoms you need to see a neurologist as mentioned by all of us. Regular pain medication is NOT going to work for neurological pain. It may mask it for a few hours, but for long term relief you are going to have to go through…

Mar 19, 2010

Maeve left a comment for Jamie Talley

Oh, btw.. I'm in Cincinnati, and there are a few of us around the area. So if you want to meet and chat... just send me a message.... Maeve

Mar 18, 2010

Profile Information

What treatments have you undergone (or will undergo)? With what success?: Trileptal previously, have tried other drugs. None presently

Please share your TN story with us...(How did your pain first emerge and then change over time? Were you ever misdiagnosed? Do you believe your pain was caused by dental work? Have you had unsuccessful surgeries or medications?): One night, almost a year ago, I woke at 1:30 in the morning to extreme pain. This was nothing I had ever experienced before. It traveled down from my right ear, through my jaw and felt as if I couldn't breathe as my face hurt so bad. Several times I tried to go back to sleep and promised myself that I would call my dentist the next day as I had several dental treatments over the past year and something could had gone amiss.
By Sunday, almost a week later, the pain had not subsided, so apparently the antibiotics were not working along with the pain medication my dentist had also prescribed. I was still in agony and the pain I was experiencing was worse and I was also experiencing sharp jabs in my ears and along the jaw. Since I am a veteran, I decided to visit the local VA Hospital emergency room. After the expected wait of several hours, I was finally seen by a young doctor. He asked me a barrage of questions, tested sensation with both a cotton swab and pin to both sides of my face. I explained what my dentist had told me and we continued for a while. At the end, his diagnosis was not only could there be a tooth problem, but more apt was that I had developed Trigeminal Neuralgia. He prescribed Neurotin and Baclofen and told me to make an appointment with my primary care doctor who would then refer me to a staff neurologist.

For the next two months, I was eventually placed temporary disability. My TN, on the third week in, started on my left side of my face. The ear stabs were the worse. My primary care physician wished to rule everything out before sentencing me with Trigeminal Neuralgia. During this time I visited an ENT doctors, twice to rule out TMJ or an ear infection or sinus problems. I visited the VA staff dentist to make sure it wasn't another dental problem. I had two MRI's with different results, saw two neurologists. One MRI stated I had compression on the right side whereas the other MRI said I had compression on both nerves. The neurologist who went over the MRI with me stated the compression didn't look too severe, but then with Trigeminal Neuralgia, any compression will cause something once it is triggered.
My story goes on, just like anyone else who develops Trigeminal Neuralgia: dealing with pain, regulating medications, coping and so on. There are plenty of stories out there in cyber space, along with mine. Yet most people cannot grasp how this disease changes one's life. Since one cannot see real physical pain, it makes it difficult for family and friends to understand what those, like myself, face daily. We never know when it will hit, nor how long when it hits or whether it is a session of continual sensations or just a one shot jolt.

Would you like to recommend a doctor, therapist or a hospital?: I don't know personally, but heard the Mayfield Clinic is good.

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At 8:27pm on February 3, 2011, Bob Snodgrass said…: You are sweet, Maeve!

I'm sure I will continue to be a source of perspiration...So happy you are enjoying NOLA!

My best dear Friend, bob