If you have trigeminal neuralgia, then you understand how the symptoms can have a negative effect on your life and activity level. The pain can disrupt your ability to concentrate on the most basic tasks and make work or recreational activities difficult to complete.
Trigeminal neuralgia is caused by irritation of your trigeminal nerve, the 5th cranial nerve. The nerve may become damaged by rubbing against a neighboring artery. This can cause facial pain or symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia.
If you have trigeminal neuralgia, you need to visit your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and to start treatment right away. Your doctor can make sure you get appropriate treatment for your facial pain. Understanding your symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia and your treatment options is an important component to successfully managing your condition.
Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia
There are many different symptoms that you may feel if you have trigeminal neuralgia. Common symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia may include, including:
- Pain on one side of your face
- Pain in your cheek, ear or jaw
- Sharp, electric-like shooting pains in your face
- Burning or tingling sensations in your face or jaw
- Muscular spasm in your face or jaw
- A dull ache in your cheek or teeth
The symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia can range from mild to severe and may be constant or episodic. There are many different triggers that may cause your symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. Sometimes brushing your teeth or chewing food can cause your pain, or even lightly brushing your face or shaving may be the cause.
By understanding your symptoms and the triggers that cause them, you can get an accurate diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia and get the proper treatment for you.
Diagnosing Trigeminal Neuralgia
There is no specific diagnostic test for trigeminal neuralgia; diagnosis is made largely on your descriptions of your symptoms and on their behavior. It is important that you carefully explain your facial pain symptoms and the triggers of your pain so your doctor can accurately diagnose your trigeminal neuralgia.
If your doctor suspects you have trigeminal neuralgia, he or she may order diagnostic tests like an MRI or CAT scan. These tests help rule out other dangerous causes of your pain. Other conditions that may cause your symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia may include multiple sclerosis, tumor or stroke.
Some patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) in their jaw experience symptoms similar to trigeminal neuralgia, so ruling out other problems is an important step in getting the right trigeminal neuralgia diagnosis.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment
Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia usually starts with medication to control your pain. Unfortunately, your body may develop a tolerance for the medication and it may lose its effectiveness over time.
Many patients seeking definitive relief from their symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia require a surgical intervention from a neurosurgeon who specializes in facial pain treatments. There are several different types of surgery for trigeminal neuralgia, so it is important for you to understand your options when considering surgery.
Microvascular decompression
Microvascular decompression is a type of surgery for trigeminal neuralgia that involves your surgeon making a small incision behind your ear and excising a tiny piece of your skull. Your neurosurgeon will then locate your trigeminal nerve and the small artery that resides near it. A small Teflon pad is then placed between your trigeminal nerve and the artery to take pressure off of the nerve and relieve your facial pain.
The main benefit of microvascular decompression surgery is that it can rapidly relieve your symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. Many patients experience long lasting relief of their symptoms with no need for further treatment. Of course, microvascular decompression is a type of brain surgery, and the procedure carries with it the risk of blood loss or infection, although these risks are rare.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
The main benefit of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is that it is considered brain surgery, but no actual incision is made into your brain or skull. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery involves your neurosurgeon directing multiple beams of focused radiation to your trigeminal nerve. The radiation slightly damages your nerve, relieving your symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia.
Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia will slowly dissipate with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and you can have multiple procedures done if your symptoms do not fully resolve or if they return. There is practically no risk of blood loss or infection with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and patients are able to return home soon after the procedure is done.
Percutaneous rhizotomy
Percutaneous rhizotomy is a procedure used to treat symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia by injuring a branch of your trigeminal nerve. During this procedure, your neurosurgeon will introduce a small hollow needle through your cheek and into the area where your trigeminal nerve branch is isolated.
A small heating current is then introduced to the nerve, destroying some of the fibers of the nerve that are transmitting pain signals to your brain.
Pain stimulator placement
Pain stimulator placement for trigeminal neuralgia involves your neurosurgeon threading a tiny electrode to an area near your trigeminal nerve. Regulated electrical impulses are then passed through the wire, disrupting painful signals being transmitted to your brain from your face.
A permanent stimulator is often implanted after a successful trial stimulator is used. The implant has a separate control mechanism so you can increase or decrease the amount of stimulation that you feel.
Patients who undergo pain stimulator placement typically enjoy rapid relief of symptoms. Very little risks are present with pain stimulator placement. Occasionally, your stimulator will need to be changed for maintenance or updating, requiring a short medical procedure.
Find the Right NJ Neurosurgeon for You
One of the most important things you can do if you have trigeminal neuralgia is to find the best neurosurgeon for you. Finding a top-rated NJ neurosurgeon who specializes in facial pain and trigeminal neuralgia can ensure that you get the best treatment for your condition.
Locating a NJ neurosurgeon who specializes in trigeminal neuralgia treatments may take some work, and you may have to visit with a few doctors to meet a surgeon who is right for you. Your doctor should make you feel at ease about your trigeminal neuralgia treatments and should give you confidence in his or her ability to effectively manage your symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia.
He or she should take the time to listen to your questions and concerns about trigeminal neuralgia surgery and should explain to you the risks and benefits associated with each approach to surgery.
Dealing with the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia can be difficult to do, and finding the best doctor to treat your condition is paramount when seeking treatment. Working with a doctor you trust who specializes in trigeminal neuralgia can help you have a successful outcome and recovery after surgery.