1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Trigeminal Neuralgia

Seasonal changes & TN

Posted , 6 users are following.

JavaJ
JavaJ

Hi all.  I've just come from a spcialist appointment and have been officially diagnosed with TN after a 3 week roller coaster of PAIN, doctors appts, and medication. My GP & dentist both suspected as much.  I have been hoping that just maybe it might be something else, like a tooth or sinuses, neck injury, anything.  Has anyone ever heard of changes in barometric pressure causing symptoms to worsen or trigger attacks.  The doctor said he commonly sees a spike in his patients in spring & fall.  Interesting observation...just wondering if any of you have had similar experience.  

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • al07085
    al07085 JavaJ

    Posted

    Hi Javan,so sorry to hear about your TN.Very interesting about spring and fall because I have had this condition for about ten years now. And being spring right now I’ve been suffering for the last ten days. Maybe this TN is some kind of allergy from Pollan? Because when I’m in excruciating pain my right eye will water and my upper row of teeth hurt.and my sinuses hurt. So I take an antihistamine and aspirin which helps me in about 45 min time. My  doctor has me on gabbapentin 900mg 3x a day. Hope you find relief . Thanks for your info.
  • mark44210
    mark44210 JavaJ

    Posted

    Hi Java,

    Cold weather/temperature worsens the pain. Try to stay warm and dry. Avoid food high in sugar and stay active (exercise).

    If possible, find a good acupuncurist in your area. You can google for peer reviewed medical journals on the effectiveness of acupunture on TN.

    Get well soon.

    • MommaGeri
      MommaGeri mark44210

      Posted

      Thanks aboutthe sugsr comment. Because I notice that these last few times have been when I’ve eatten something very sweet. Which is a good reason to lay off the cookies. lol. Thanks. Good info. Geri 
  • astrogirlbunny
    astrogirlbunny JavaJ

    Posted

    I agree that barometric pressure changes make it worse or can bring on an attack. With that said, remember that everyone is different. Also, allergies can be a trigger (pressure in the sinuses). And what did not bother you two months ago might start bothering you now.

    JavaJ, please stay on top of all of this. It sounds like you are doing a great job of doing so. But I want you to know that usually TN gets worse, not better, as time goes along. Not everyone gets worse by any means. But you want to stay on top of your triggers (which it sounds like you are) and make sure to keep as much stress off yourself as possible. Additionally, if you are not exercising today, start doing so. Even an elliptical bike (very easy on the body to use and you don't have to use the arms portion of it) has helped my TN immensely. Matter of fact, I will be in pain, go to the gym, get on the elliptical bike, not use the arms portion of it, just let peddle, listen to music with noise cancelling headphones, and play on my phone, and within 15 minutes I'm feeling better. I've now worked up to being on it for an hour because I don't want to get off! I feel better while I'm on it! And I've heard other people say similar things - doing some form of exercise or yard work or something to get the blood flowing and get them distracted has really helped. I firmly believe it helps stave off the long term damage TN can do by helping the blood flow continue (because tensing up all the time is just what we do). I hope this helps. And keep posting! It's good to hear about your progress! And definitely take B-12 if possible. Most people don't get enough and it's about impossible to overdose on it. Good luck!

  • MommaGeri
    MommaGeri JavaJ

    Posted

    Hi. I hope you’ve gotten better. My first round of TN was 3 years ago in late June. I too went to the dentist etc. finally an ER doc diagnosed it. I call it labor in my face. Mine is like 10 mins pain. 20 mins no pain but small zaps. Then back to the 10 mins of horrible pain. I compare it to birth. Now last year I had only a few zaps here and there but they never went full blown. It just stared again late June. But didn’t develop. The last couple days the zaps are more severe but still not for longer than a couple seconds. I’m scared it’s going to go full bore again. I don’t want anyone to ever suffer with TN pain. I don’t know those of you that have it regularly live with it. Hope y’all are doing better. But to answer your question it is for me. My neighbor had it once in her life for a week. And never again. So here’s hoping. Nice to meet everyone. Geri 
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.