Alternative Med Routes?

First of all I'm really sorry to hear anout the TN. I had pain for 14 Years 24/7 with hardly any break. I was described as having atypical facial pain, atypical TN, classic TN etc etc. I had electric shock bolts of pain, burning, stabbing, aching, prickling pains. It was like someone attached a 250v wire to the side of my head and flicked the switch. I didn't try stem cell but had pretty much every other thing. Elilepsy meds- anti depressants- infusions of lidocaine and ketamine- gamma knife - alcohol glycerol injection and 5 years ago Microvascular Decompression. The MVD so far thank god leaving me pain free immediately following the 6 hour long surgery. And came off the meds straight away. It has been life changing considering I had spent my 30s in chronic pain. I lost a 1/4 of my life to it. 😁😔 they said for about 12 years through CT and MRI that there was no evidence of compression on the TN. And even a year before the MVD they did CT and still couldn't find anything and it was only because I complained because of the way I was treated that they did another examination of my scan and the neurologist found a big compression. And after surgery he said it was one of the largest he had seen in a while. I felt so relieved! Message me for any support. Steve.

I had TN for 12 years. I finally decided to have microdecompression (MVD) surgery 8 months ago. Immediately after surgery I did not feel the electrical shock and still don't. However, I was completely numb on the side of the surgery. Slowly I did get most of the feelings back, but till this day I am still numb in my upper and lower lips, teeth and gum. I have weird moving sensation in those areas 24/7. The feeling of nerves moving, pulling, twisting, twirling constantly. When they twist and pull, they hurt a lot. I'm taking tegretol and tramadol to help relieve with the pain, but it doesn't seem to help. I am hoping this is just nerves trying to regenerate. I would think by 8 months I would be back to normal, but I'm not. I just hope this is not anesthesia doloresa. I did have a follow up appointment with my neurosurgeon at 5 months post survery and he said the nerves are waking up and this is normal. I am going to see him again in 2 weeks just to make sure these 24/7 movements are ok. It's just very weird, distracting and annyoing. However, overall I do not regret having the surgery. At least I don't get electrocuted 100 times a day like before.

Hi.  I too have all the symptoms as listed by Steve.  Im not brave enough to have the MVD so am looking to rid the pain by any other altenative.  Ive had acupuncture, didnt help but not sure the doc knew his stuff so might try someone else.  Ive tried cranial manipulation, this didnt help.  However I have had botox and this did help, whether or not it was down to not moving my face as much? I read on American TN forums that they are trying different trials and botox is one.  Im waiting to see the results and if I have to I will happily fly to the US for treatment. But in the meantime  Ive just purchased an ultrasound machine which you can use on the face and is supposed to help TN sufferers.  Im praying it can help.  If it does I will let everyone know!  Feel better soon.