Dr. M.J. Bazos, MD.
Patient Handout
TRIGEMINAL
NEURALGIA (TIC
DOULOUREUX)
About Your
DiagnosisTrigeminal neuralgia is a
disorder that causes intense, stabbing, “electric shock–like”
pain in the areas of the face where the nerve is distributed— jaw, lips,
eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, and face. It rarely occurs in patients younger than
50 years, and it is nearly twice as common in women. In most cases the cause is
unknown, although some patients have had this disorder after tooth extraction,
facial nerve injury, herpes virus infection, or compression from a blood vessel
or tumor.Living With Your
DiagnosisTrigeminal neuralgia can
often be relieved with medication. For those patients who do not get adequate
relief or who have unacceptable side effects from their medication, there are
several surgical options available that may provide partial or complete relief
of pain. Many patients learn what the “trigger points” are that
cause their pain and learn ways to avoid stimulating these areas that set off
the
pain.TreatmentThere
are several medications that may be tried independently or in combination to
achieve relief of pain. Surgical treatment options are reserved for tumors or
blood vessels that press on the trigeminal nerve, or for patients that do not
respond to medical treatment. These procedures include noninvasive radiosurgery
(focused radiation therapy), treatment of the nerve by injection or electrical
stimulation, and open operation for removing pressure on the
nerve.The
DOs• Take your medication as
prescribed.• Keep all scheduled
follow-up appointments so that you can be checked for side effects of your
medication.• Report the improvement
or worsening of symptoms to your
doctor.The
DON’Ts• Don’t
despair. There are many new treatments and support groups
available.• Don’t adjust your
medication without your physician’s
approval.When to Call Your
Doctor• If your symptoms do not
improve with the medication that you were
prescribed.• If you have any side
effects associated with your
medication.• If you have any new
symptoms such as double vision, facial weakness, or changes in hearing or
balance.Websites:http://www.mco.edu/neuro/tripage.htmlMedical
College of Ohiohttp://www.neurosurgery-neff.com/Trigeminal
Neuralgia.html