Question 1

is acupuncture helpful to  treat trigeminal neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Not in my experience: Patients typically do not experience relief with acupuncture for this condition.

Question 2

if carbamazepine isn't working to treat my trigeminal neuralgia, what is a good drug to try next?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Carbamazepine used to be the main agent in treatment of trigeminal neuralgia years ago.  We now have a multitude of anti-neuropathic agents with better side effect profile. To list a few, we have lyrica, (pregabalin) neurontin, topamax, etc.  The choice is based on coexisting medical issues and other medications on which patient is placed.  The physician can make this determination on a case by case basis.

Question 3

is trigeminal neuralgia very serious?

Accepted Answer

No: It can be very painful, to the point of causing difficulty speaking or eating, and it can sometimes be caused by a tumor, but
trigeminal neuralgia itself is not life threatening, not associated with other neurologic dysfunction, and rarely causes significant disability.

Question 4

trigeminal neuralgia means pain where?

Accepted Answer

The face: Trigeminal neuralgia refers to a specific pain pattern from irritation from a specific nerve in the face.  There are specific treatments which are usually effective but require evaluation by an appropriately trained specialty consultant.

Question 5

what can cause trigeminal neuralgia (tn)?

Accepted Answer

Unclear: Different reasons: viral, inflammatory, and most of the time it's not clear.

Question 6

what medications treat trigeminal neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Typical meds: Tegretol, neurontin, Lyrica (pregabalin) are standard first line treatment medications.

Question 7

what symptoms characterize trigeminal neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

See below: Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms may include one or more of these patterns: 

occasional twinges of mild pain
episodes of severe, shooting or jabbing pain 
spontaneous attacks of pain or attacks triggered by things such as touching the face, chewing, speaking and brushing teeth
bouts of pain lasting from a few seconds to several seconds
episodes of several attacks lasting days.

Question 8

what are the symptoms common to trigeminal neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Trigeminal neuralgia: Tn is localized to one side of the face. The pain comes on suddenly, some describe the pain as electric-like and literally stops one from doing anything. The pain is sudden and severe and then goes away. The pain is usually triggered by touching a certain spot on the face. Brushing the teeth, rubbing the face, sudden changes in temperature can all make the pain worse.

Question 9

what is the definition or description of: trigeminal neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Pain: Very painful affliction of the fifth (trigeminal) nerve. Read more about it here: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/505378

Question 10

what is the best way to relieve the pain of trigeminal neuralgia?

Accepted Answer

Medications first: Tn affects the nerve relaying sensation from the face. Medications are the first type of treatment. If the meds are not helpful initially or later on, there is a range of surgical treatment that can help. 

Your doctor can start the medical treatment, and, if necessary, refer you to a neurosurgeon to discuss surgery, including stereotactic radiation treatment.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Acupuncture points for trigeminal neuralgia

A member asked:

Is acupuncture helpful to treat trigeminal neuralgia?

A member asked:

If carbamazepine isn't working to treat my trigeminal neuralgia, what is a good drug to try next?

A member asked:

Is trigeminal neuralgia very serious?

A member asked:

Trigeminal neuralgia means pain where?

A member asked:

What can cause trigeminal neuralgia (tn)?

A member asked:

What medications treat trigeminal neuralgia?

A member asked:

What symptoms characterize trigeminal neuralgia?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms common to trigeminal neuralgia?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: trigeminal neuralgia?

A member asked:

What is the best way to relieve the pain of trigeminal neuralgia?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?