Trigeminal Neuralgia

 

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. It causes sudden, severe facial pain that can feel like electric shocks, stabbing, or burning. For many, it’s one of the most painful conditions imaginable.

 

Symptoms

 

• Sudden sharp or stabbing pain in the face (cheek, jaw, eye, forehead, or teeth)

• Pain episodes lasting from a few seconds up to several minutes or longer

• Pain triggered by touch, talking, chewing, or even wind on the face

• Clusters of attacks (several per day, sometimes dozens)

• Exhaustion and anxiety after attacks

 

Living With Trigeminal Neuralgia

 

TN can be unpredictable and frightening. The intensity of the pain often makes people think something catastrophic is happening, like a stroke. The fear of the next attack adds to the burden, leaving many sufferers anxious and exhausted.

 

“When I was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, it was terrifying. I thought I was having a stroke. For me, the pain shoots from my cheekbone through my whole face, into my head, and behind my eye. My attacks can last 20 minutes to an hour, three or four times a day. Afterwards, I’m drained — I can’t function normally. It’s the worst of all my conditions.”

 

Research & Treatments

 

While there’s no cure, treatments focus on reducing nerve activity and managing pain:

 

• Medications (anti-seizure drugs, muscle relaxants, painkillers)

• Nerve blocks or injections

• Surgery (for severe or treatment-resistant cases)

• Lifestyle pacing, stress management, and identifying personal triggers Some researchers are exploring whether trauma, nervous system sensitivity, or other chronic conditions make people more vulnerable to TN flare-ups.

 

Support & Links

 

• Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK – https://www.tna.org.uk/

 

• NHS – Trigeminal Neuralgia – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/trigeminal-neuralgia/

 

• QuietPower TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@quietpoweruk

 

 

 

Disclaimer: This page is for support and awareness, not medical advice. Always speak to your GP or a qualified specialist about diagnosis and treatment