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WHERE TN COMES FROM?

Posted , 6 users are following.

kathy75678
kathy75678

Mine started after dental work but my surgeon told me that I had a vein that dropped down and wrapped itself around the TN. He said when anything touches the nerve that is what makes the shocks. I do not know why mine did not start until I had some dental work done. I went to the dentist 3 times and found nothing wrong. My family dr. diagnosed me. Mine started as shocks that seem to come from my teeth. I am so glad the pain is over. You are right they never wanted to give me pain medicine either. Kathy

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • aimyblair
    aimyblair kathy75678

    Posted

    That's so strange! Perhaps something happening during your dental surgery that flinched the vein to move? I really don't understand how it can 'just happen' as my neurologist said. I was on holiday when mine started. No accident, never hit my head. Was just talking and got a shock in my head that made me flinch. This continued for days, happening more and more until it attacks we're eventually lasting up to an hour and effecting my whole face/neck/back. I was told to completely come off of pain medication, which tbh wasn't even having any impact in the end. I just feel like something is being missed. Will keep you posted after next appointment and see if any light is shed - or new medication. I'm so glad your pain is over!! That is fantastic. 

  • saaz79347
    saaz79347 kathy75678

    Posted

    Kathy, my understanding from when i had TN is that the pain won't always show up even if there is a blood vessel or artery touching the Trigeminal nerve. Once there is prolonged contact between the TN and an offending artery( they don't know how long), the Myelin Sheath wears off and then the shocks can start.  Myelin is a white fatty substance that acts as an insulating layer for the nerve, kind of like the rubber over a copper electric wire. As far as why the pain never started until you had dental work is anybody's guess ( including the doctors), but judging from so many patients input, there can be many triggers to set it off ( Firm touch, Pressure, Cold) etc.  Online research shows that Vit B 5 pantothenic acid helps rebuild the Myelin Sheath but very slowly.  Hope this helps.

    • army183
      army183 saaz79347

      Posted

      You've got it in one Saz. 

      Usually TN develops because of prolonged pumping of the walls of the local branch of cerebellar artery onto the outside sheath of  the 5th Cranial nerve (our friend the trigeminal nerve). Demyelination allows touching or very near contact of the unprotected nerve cords (axons). The MVD operation either moves the pulsating artery away from the nerve or puts a wodge of thin Teflon pad between them. The effect is the same and in most cases gives instant relief from the stabbing pain, but maybe not completely in some cases. The jury is out whether re-myelination occurs sufficiently or fast enough to "cure" the problem. 

      My MVD reduced pain from 9-10 out of 10 to about 2, when I have exacerbations. Rest of the time I'm fine. Got my life back. 

      Cheers

      Big D 

  • wannahelp2017
    wannahelp2017 kathy75678

    Posted

    Kathy you stated that your pain is over... What steps did you have to take to have the surgery because it seems to me that you must have been diagnosed for YEARS and go through this pain for YEARS in order to have anything done. Mine also have been in my teeth. 
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