When you’re experiencing the daily difficulties of navigating through trigeminal nerve irritation, you need effective ways to alleviate the physical and emotional pain and discomfort that can result. There are more options than ever for handling your symptoms, both surgical and non-surgical.
Below, you will learn of some of the ways modern research and medicine can help you find the relief you’re seeking.
The Gist of Trigeminal Nerve Irritation
Also known as trigeminal neuralgia (TGN), this condition affects an estimated one million people worldwide, with an estimated 14,000 people in the U.S. alone being diagnosed every year. A number of different factors can play into the cause of this debilitating condition, including trauma resulting in neurological structural changes, autoimmune disorders and other unknown causes. Regardless of why it’s happening, it’s important to keep the resolution of symptoms in the forefront so you can return to your normal daily life.
Finding the Right Solution
It’s easy to assume that there would be one way to treat trigeminal nerve irritation in everyone, but unfortunately, it’s not that simple. What works for one person may not even begin to scratch the surface of the discomfort for another. Luckily, there are several courses of action that can be taken for you to find proper relief.
The Right Diagnosis
It is integral to first get a proper diagnosis in order to receive appropriate treatment. This is best done by a neurologist specializing in facial pain diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms can sometimes be intermittent or can be almost constant, making it difficult to navigate through your day-to-day life. A facial pain specialist can help you get to the root of your pain and work toward a solution.
Drug Therapy
Many doctors will encourage their patients to try pharmaceutical interventions as a first step in treating their trigeminal nerve irritation symptoms. The main drugs used for TGN are Tegretol and Trileptal. These are commonly used in neurological pain disorders such as diabetic neuropathy and have been found to be useful in the daily reduction of pain and discomfort caused by TGN symptoms.
For many people, this is adequate to control their trigeminal nerve irritation symptoms. Unfortunately, some people experience side effects such as drowsiness, fatigue or a “foggy” feeling. If these side effects continue, it’s best to switch medications. Another possibility is reaching the threshold of the medication’s ability to control the symptoms, resulting in “breakthrough” pain. In both of these instances, this is a good indication that it’s time to seek the expertise of an experienced neurosurgeon.
Surgery
Although non-invasive therapy is the upfront route for TGN symptom management, surgery has become a routine way for trigeminal nerve irritation sufferers to find permanent relief from their symptoms when medical management fails. A seasoned neurosurgeon will work closely with your facial pain specialist to determine if surgery is the best option for you.
Microvascular decompression (MVD) is moderately invasive but is typically the most effective and definitive intervention for patients with TGN because it does not compromise the nerve’s ability to function. Microvascular decompression surgery involves creating a small “window” by removing bone in the skull, then isolating the trigeminal nerve at the point of compression from a neighboring blood vessel. Once this “conflict” is identified under a microscope, a small Teflon pad is placed between the nerve and vessel, creating a buffer. Patients that undergo this procedure typically experience immediate relief from their trigeminal nerve irritation symptoms.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is a good option for those that are not candidates for MVD surgery or have failed other interventions in the past. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS) uses approximately 200 beams of focused radiation that meet at a highly localized point to destroy offending nerve tissue. The most non-invasive of the surgical solutions, GKRS is a very effective means of alleviating symptoms. GKRS carries a small percent chance of causing delayed numbness in the side of the face, nonetheless, it is a reasonable and safe non-surgical treatment option for many patients suffering from TGN. It does take some time for the full effects to set in, so it is not recommended for those seeking immediate relief.
Percutaneous Rhizotomy is a moderately invasive surgical procedure where the neurosurgeon introduces a needle into the trigeminal nerve. Often, a balloon is inflated to crush the symptomatic branch of the trigeminal nerve in an attempt to alleviate pain symptoms. This procedure is done under “twilight” anesthesia and offers a short recovery time. In addition, immediate relief is seen by most patients, making it an ideal option for those seeking instant results. It is less-chosen option than those listed above, but may be determined to be a viable option by your surgeon.
Pain Stimulator Placement has been used for decades for numerous conditions. It can also be effective for trigeminal nerve irritation when all other options are exhausted. With stimulator placement, electrodes interrupt the pain signals between the nerve and the brain. It is moderately invasive, with electrodes being placed in proximity to the nerves and a small battery pack also being implanted.
With more options available than ever for TGN, it’s time you took your life back. Take that first step in getting a proper diagnosis of trigeminal nerve irritation, then seek out a team of experts that can help you on the road to recovery. There is no reason you should ever suffer in pain and isolation.
