If you’ve been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia (TGN), you’re probably in the process of trying to find a treatment center to provide you with stellar care. It can sometimes feel impossible to find the right combination of expertise, compassion and professionalism. Although sometimes a challenge, with the right tools you may be surprised by how many highly qualified experts there are available to you in NJ.
The Trigeminal Neuralgia Care Ladder
The following are the three most common ways to find a trigeminal neuralgia specialist who can help you.
Primary Care Provider
Most people that suffer from trigeminal neuralgia initially seek the help of their primary care provider (PCP). They experience the overwhelming symptoms of facial pain associated with TGN and are desperate to find relief. Sometimes your primary care physician can diagnose the disease themselves – especially if they’ve seen it frequently. In most cases, however, they will refer you to a facial pain specialist.
Neurologist
Many facial pain specialists are neurologists. They have specialized training in the neurologic components of facial pain conditions, including trigeminal neuralgia. They can run further tests and diagnostics to rule out other conditions or diseases. Through extensive testing they will pinpoint trigeminal neuralgia as the culprit.
Once isolated as trigeminal neuralgia, your neurologist may recommend trying medications as a first step in relieving symptoms. These medications typically include either anti-depressants or anti-convulsants, or a combination of both. The responsibility for administration and monitoring of these medications is often passed back to your primary care doctor. If the pharmaceutical approach proves successful, your primary care provider and neurologist will work together to make sure you’re receiving the right dosage and make any necessary adjustments. What happens, though, if drugs don’t work?
Neurosurgeon
In cases where medications are ineffective, you may be referred to a neurosurgeon to discuss your options for surgical intervention. Your NJ surgeon will work closely with a team of facial pain specialists, including your primary care provider and neurologist to formulate the best customized surgical plan. Some of the most effective and frequently used surgeries for trigeminal neuralgia include microvascular decompression (MVD), Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, percutaneous rhizotomy and pain stimulator implants. These surgeries should only be carried out by a skilled and experienced surgeon with a focus on facial pain remediation.
Where to Find Trigeminal Neuralgia Specialists
It’s true that there is a small handful of trigeminal neuralgia treatment centers scattered throughout the U.S., but it is difficult to find such a specialized practice. There are many ways you can find the perfect fit for your needs, either within a specialized center, or with a qualified specialist in a practice with a more broad scope.
The best place to start is your primary care provider. If he or she suspects trigeminal neuralgia, ask them to refer you to a specialist they trust. Most primary care doctors have specialists in many different fields that they have worked with in the past. If possible, get the names of two or three NJ specialists from your doctor, as this will give you a choice of who to work with.
Another great place to find qualified specialists is through word-of-mouth. While friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances may not be dealing with trigeminal neuralgia, they may have experience with other conditions that have put them in touch with doctors in the neurologic field.
The internet can be an incredibly helpful resource when searching for new healthcare specialists. The advantage of using internet searches is that it will help you find specialists in your area who may work within larger health groups – for instance, a surgical center that focuses on neurosurgery will very likely have at least one or more doctors with extensive experience treating trigeminal neuralgia and performing recommended surgeries.
Another advantage of using the internet is the ability to view ratings for specific providers, learn more about their specializations, obtain information on what insurance plans they accept, and so on.
The Best Trigeminal Neuralgia Specialist for You
It’s important to remember that, while searching for NJ trigeminal neuralgia treatment centers, the focus should be on your comfort level with the specialist and practice you are going to work with. You may find the most accomplished doctor in the world, but if you don’t trust him or her, it’s wise to keep looking. Because trigeminal neuralgia is a long-term issue that has no cure, you want a doctor you can return to as necessary. Use this quick checklist to help isolate the best candidates:
- Do you trust their skills and abilities?
- Do they have a large amount of experience treating trigeminal neuralgia?
- What other (if any) areas of facial pain or neurologic disorders do they focus on?
- Are they close enough for it to be conducive for you to make regular appointments?
- Is this specialist willing to work with your primary care provider or other specialists to ensure you receive the best care possible?
- Do they have any negative marks against their record, such as malpractice suits or other practice-related legal proceedings?
The best approach for finding a trigeminal neuralgia treatment centers is to keep an open mind and not stay focused solely on a trigeminal neuralgia specialty practice. Not only will this will give you the greatest chance of finding your perfect facial pain specialist, but it will provide you with a wide range of options that might not otherwise be obvious.
