Trigeminal Neuralgia 

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia? 

Trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) is a condition of chronic facial pain in the distribution of the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve. Those who suffer from trigeminal neuralgia experience extreme, sporadic bursts of burning electrical facial pain that can last minutes at a time and might recur throughout the day. Simple tasks such as brushing your teeth can trigger a jolt of pain in the face. Trigeminal neuralgia is most common in women over the age of 50 but is seen in younger ages and in both sexes. 

Symptoms & Triggers of Trigeminal Neuralgia 

Symptoms 

It is important to look out for the following signs and symptoms to help identify if you are suffering from trigeminal neuralgia: 

  • Sudden, severe and stabbing facial pains, sometimes with a persistent ache between jolts, lasting from several seconds to a few minutes at a time 
  • Pain in areas of the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, and sometimes the eye and forehead 
  • Attacks may become more frequent and more painful over time 
  • Attacks can be triggered by chewing, speaking, or brushing teeth or by wind or a hand touching the face (i.e. putting on makeup or shaving) 

Causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia 

Trigeminal neuralgia can occur due to several reasons including: 

  • A blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve as it leaves the brain stem 
  • Trauma 
  • Multiple Sclerosis or a similar disorder causing deterioration of the trigeminal nerve’s insulating and protective myelin sheath 
  • A tumor compressing the trigeminal nerve 
  • Brain lesion or abnormality 

Treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia 

At Sonoma Neurology, Pain & Headache, we offer a comprehensive range of medical treatment options to help patients manage the intense facial pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia.  

Medications are often the first line of defense in managing pain to improve one’s quality of life. These may include: 

  • Anticonvulsants: commonly used to reduce nerve-related pain by stabilizing over-reactive nerves. 
  • Botox Injections: offers relief for some patients by blocking pain signals. 
  • Antidepressants: modulating and dampening pain pathways thereby improving your quality of life. 

If pain persists despite these options, we may coordinate with neurosurgical specialists for other minimally invasive and highly successful treatments. 

Ready to Take the Next Step? 

If you’re struggling with the effects of trigeminal neuralgia, our team at Sonoma Neurology, Pain & Headache is here to help. Located in Petaluma, CA., we specialize in personalized care for complex pain conditions. Call us (707) 415-4273 to learn more or to schedule a consultation. 

*Please note: A clinician referral is required to make an appointment.