Trigeminal Neuralgia

Symptoms

Very painful, sharp electric-like spasms that usually last a few seconds or minutes, but can become constant

Pain is usually only on one side of the face, often around the eye, cheek, and lower part of the face

Pain may be triggered by touch or sounds

Painful attacks of trigeminal neuralgia can be triggered by common, everyday activities, such as:

• Brushing teeth
• Chewing
• Drinking
• Eating
• Lightly touching the face
• Shaving

Signs and Tests

A brain and nervous system (neurologic) examination is usually normal.

Tests that are done to look for the cause of the problem include:

• Blood tests
• MRI of the head
• Trigeminal reflex testing

Causes

The pain of trigeminal neuralgia comes from the trigeminal nerve. This nerve carries the feelings of touch and pain from the face, eyes, sinuses, and mouth to the brain.

The condition usually affects adults, but it may affect anyone at any age. Trigeminal neuralgia may be part of the normal aging process.

Trigeminal neuralgia may be caused by:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Pressure on the trigeminal nerve from a swollen blood vessel or tumor
• Possible effect from Lyme Disease
• Possible effect from Shingles

Often, no cause is found.

Doctors are more likely to find a cause in a person who is younger than age 40.

Traditional Medical Treatment Options and Diagnosis

Your primary care physician, a neurologist, or a pain specialist may also be involved in your care.

Certain medicines sometimes help reduce pain and the rate of attacks. These medicines include:

• Anti-seizure drugs (carbamazepine, gabapentin, lamotrigine, phenytoin, valproate, and pregabalin)
• Muscle relaxants (baclofen, clonazepam)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or carbamazepine)
• Some patients may need surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve. Techniques include:
• Cutting or destroying part of the trigeminal nerve
• Destroying the trigeminal nerve with a needle or probe placed through the skin using radiofrequency ablation or an injection of glycerol
• Electrostimulation
• Percutaneous balloon microcompression
• Removal of the tumor (when a tumor is the cause)
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma knife)
• Surgery to remove a blood vessel that is putting pressure on the trigeminal nerve (called microvascular decompression, or MVD)

Medicines Two Choices for You

Dr. Huntoon's Alternative Medical Treatment Options

Working with your Holistic Chiropractor who can help you address the nerve pain by removing the pressure from the nerve is warranted.  Developing a well-rounded, multifaceted approach to dealing with all the underlying causes of your Trigeminal Neuralgia is prudent.  Understanding what is involved in the form of time and commitment for treatment and the expectations is important. 

Dr. Huntoon has personal experience in dealing with this all too painful condition. 

In September of 2001, Dr. Huntoon awoke with right sided facial paralysis, no hearing in his right ear and the beginnings of a painful rash only on the right side of his face.  He went to a Neurologist and was told it was due to the shingles virus and was offered anti-virals, which he was not open to taking.  Wanting a diagnosis so he would know what he was dealing with, he promptly went back to his office and consulted with all the different understandings he had learned over the years.  What resulted was/is truly miraculous.  He was able to develop a Unique 3 Step Process for addressing this virus.  He then treated the varicella zoster virus, treated it specifically for the Trigeminal Nerve, took large dosages of EPA-DHA 720 Fish Oil and within 2 weeks, he was fully resolved of the Trigeminal Neuralgia and the Shingles.

Another Development

Since that time, there is a revolutionary new technique that has incredible results that is totally natural and does not involve any medication. It is called Neurologic Relief Centers Technique (NRCT) and can be found by going to www.nrc.md   Please go to the site and read the information and watch the videos of people who have been successfully treated using NRCT. Then find a Certified Practitioner by typing in your zip code and a list of practitioners closest to you will show up in the Search Results.

People have benefited from Acupuncture, Homeopathy and Naturopathy when dealing with Trigeminal Neuralgia.

What to Discuss with Your Doctor

How well you do depends on the cause of the problem. If there is no disease causing the problem, treatment can provide at least some relief.

However, the pain may become constant and severe in some patients.  There is a revolutionary new technique that has incredible results that is totally natural and does not involve any medication. It is called Neurologic Relief Centers Technique (NRCT) and can be found by going to www.nrc.md Please go to the site and read the information and watch the videos of people who have been successfully treated using NRCT. Then find a Certified Practitioner by typing in your zip code and a list of practitioners closest to you will show up in the Search Results.

Your Solution

There is a revolutionary new technique that has incredible results that is totally natural and does not involve any medication. It is called Neurologic Relief Centers Technique (NRCT) and can be found by going to www.nrc.md Please go to the site and read the information and watch the videos of people who have been successfully treated using NRCT. Then find a Certified Practitioner by typing in your zip code and a list of practitioners closest to you will appear.

People have benefited from Acupuncture, Homeopathy and Naturopathy when dealing with Trigeminal Neuralgia.