Trigeminal Neuralgia Warrior
Raising Awareness For Those With
Trigeminal Neuralgia Anesthesia Dolorosa and Brain Tumors.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Warrior
Raising Awareness For Those With
Trigeminal Neuralgia Anesthesia Dolorosa and Brain Tumors.
Starting May 1st, Go Gray in May for Brain 🧠 Tumor Awareness Month. Two IG LIVES in the works.
Starting May 1st, Go Gray in May for Brain 🧠 Tumor Awareness Month. Two IG LIVES in the works.
Starting May 1st, Go Gray in May for Brain 🧠 Tumor Awareness Month. Two IG LIVES in the works.
Starting May 1st, Go Gray in May for Brain 🧠 Tumor Awareness Month. Two IG LIVES in the works.
Starting May 1st, Go Gray in May for Brain 🧠 Tumor Awareness Month. Two IG LIVES in the works.
Starting May 1st, Go Gray in May for Brain 🧠 Tumor Awareness Month. Two IG LIVES in the works.
Raising Awareness with Jason Thompson
Jason Thompson and I discuss my condition Trigeminal Neuralgia Anesthesia Dolorosa.
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also known as tic douloureux and the “suicide disease," is sometimes described as the most excruciating pain known to humanity. Trigeminal Neuralgia is a form of neuropathic pain (pain associated with nerve injury or nerve lesion.) The typical or "classic" form of the disorder (called "Type 1" or TN1) causes extreme, sporadic, sudden burning or shock-like facial pain that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to as long as days per episode. The “atypical” form of the disorder (called "Type 2" or TN2), is characterized by constant aching, burning, stabbing pain. The teeth are affected in both 1 and 2 and often feel like they are being electrocuted or breaking. The muscles on the affected side waiver from being torn off of the face to severe constriction. When the area around the eye is in pain, it often feels like the patient cannot open the eye or the eye itself feels like it is being pushed out of the socket.
Both forms of pain may occur in the same person, sometimes at the same time. The intensity of pain can be physically and mentally incapacitating. The trigeminal nerve is one of 12 pairs of nerves that are attached to the brain. The nerve has three branches that conduct sensations from the upper, middle, and lower portions of the face, as well as the oral cavity, to the brain. The ophthalmic, or upper, branch supplies sensation to most of the scalp, forehead, and front of the head. The maxillary, or middle, branch stimulates the cheek, upper jaw, top lip, teeth and gums, and to the side of the nose. The mandibular, or lower, branch supplies nerves to the lower jaw, teeth and gums, and bottom lip. More than one nerve branch can be affected by the disorder. Rarely, both sides of the face may be affected at different times in an individual, or even more rarely at the same time (called bilateral TN).
What are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia?
Pain varies, depending on the type of Trigeminal Neuralgia, and may range from sudden, severe, and stabbing to a more constant, aching, burning sensation. The intense flashes of pain can be triggered by vibration or contact with the cheek (such as when shaving, washing the face, or applying makeup), brushing teeth, eating, drinking, talking, or being exposed to the wind. The pain may affect a small area of the face or may spread. Bouts of pain rarely occur at night, when the affected individual is sleeping.
Trigeminal Neuralgia is typified by attacks that stop for a period of time and then return, but the condition can be progressive. The attacks often worsen over time, with fewer and shorter pain-free periods before they recur. Eventually, the pain-free intervals disappear and medication to control the pain becomes less effective. The disorder can be, and most often is, debilitating. Due to the intensity of the pain, some individuals may avoid daily activities or social contacts because they fear an impending attack.'
Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
We must fund research for conditions like Trigeminal Neuralgia Anesthesia Dolorosa. Rare deserves research.
Michele
What is Anesthesia Dolorosa
Anesthesia Dolorosa (AD) is one of the most dreaded complications of the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. It occurs when the trigeminal nerve is damaged by surgery or physical trauma, resulting in numbness in the face, with pain present within the numb area.
Anesthesia dolorosa (AD) is a feeling of pain in an area of the face that is completely numb to the touch. “Anesthesia dolorosa” literally means “painful numbness”. Numbness describes a loss of sensation or feeling in a part of your body, but it is often accompanied by or combined with other changes in sensation. AD causes pain in one or more areas of the face which are completely numb to touch. The pain is described as constant, burning, aching, squeezing, heaviness, tightness, pressure or likened to pins and needles. The primary pain is usually continuous or near-continuous. The patient may also experience brief bursts of pain, but these are not typically the predominant pain type. Diagnosis is generally based on the description of symptoms.
AD occurs when the trigeminal nerve is damaged so that the sense of touch is diminished or eliminated while a malfunctioning sensation of pain is left intact. AD is caused by nerve damage, either from an underlying condition, traumatic injury, or from past treatment of the trigeminal nerves. AD is referred to as a deafferentation pain syndrome, meaning that it results from complete or partial interruption of nerve impulses.
AD pain is usually constant with a burning or jabbing quality, while trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is intermittent, with sharp, electric-like jabs. The distinction between the two can affect the course of treatment. Further destructive procedures for an AD patient may make the condition worse.
Unfortunately, there is no known effective treatment for AD. A multidisciplinary, pain-management-oriented approach is most appropriate. Some helpful strategies include anticonvulsants, antidepressants, opiates, psychological support, and complementary and alternative therapies. There are no good surgical options at this point, but motor cortex stimulation has shown some promise in preliminary studies.
Imagine having AD, TN1 and TN2? I do. Additionally, I've since been diagnosed with another brain tumor but this one doesn't require immediate medical attention.
Source: https://www.facepain.org
Copyright © 2022 Trigeminal Neuralgia Warrior - All Rights Reserved.
Are you a Trigeminal Neuralgia Warrior?
Be featured on the WARRIOR page and social media. Email me your picture, year you were diagnosed, and anything else you'd like me to include in the post.