Trigeminal Neuralgia.

I have the pain on the right side. I have read through most of the posts and did find helpful info, thanks. I found 2 treatment options so I wanted to confirm. Thanks again.

Thanks, Pankaj. I had complete relief for about 3 weeks, however, the pain as returned and is as bad as ever. The Mag Phos doesn't seem to be doing anything any more. The pain is triggered by emotional stress, which I am having at the moment, worsened by the pain. Any suggestions?

Thanks. So I take the Arsenicum album for only 1 day?

We were unable to get arsen. at 200c. We got 30c. How many pills should I take (Boiron)?

Thank you for always responding to me so quickly, I really appreciate it. So far the spasms are not as intense, but they are still frequent, as often as every 5 minutes or so. I'm so tired, I haven't had uninterrupted sleep for 5 nights. I know it's only been a couple days, but I'm desperate for sleep. Any suggestions?

Thanks. Having some trouble with AVP because of a stuffy nose, but I was able to do it some. I can fall asleep, but as soon as I do I have a spasm which wakes me up.

Patient ID: [name removed by moderator]
Sex: Female
Age: 39

Please answer the following questions in a descriptive manner after careful analysis and recollection of previous experiences and happenings.

1. Describe your main suffering?

Trigeminal neuralgia on the right side

2. What other physical sufferings do you have in your body?

because of the pain of the TN, my coping mechanisms have resulted in achy pains in hands and arms, swollen lower lip and tongue, little sore bumps on tip of tongue, sores in mouth. Exhaustion because the spasms keep me awake. Aside from TN: hypertension, occasional headaches, temporal mandibular joint disorder (both sides)


3. What mental sufferings / feelings do you have associated with your physical sufferings?

very discouraged, feel like it's my fault because I was pain free after taking Magnesium Phosphate, but then I had a emotionally trying time and it's all back and worse than ever. The mag phos wasn't doing anything to help anymore. I've known for a long time that there is an emotional component to the TN. Because I have a hard time controlling my emotions, I feel like the pain is my fault. Also, there is a lot of guilt because I can't contribute to my family's well-being when I'm in so much pain. I've barely gotten out of bed in a week because I'm so exhausted from not sleeping.

4. What exactly do you feel when you are at your worst?

Because it has gotten better, in the past, I know it can get better again, I'm frustrated that it has happened again and that it isn't getting better faster. I'm terrified that I'm going to have to go through this for the rest of my life. I'm discouraged because there are so many things I can't do when in this state.

5. When did it all start? Can you connect it to any past event or disease?

It was towards the end of 2006 that I started feeling sharp little pains, mostly in my teeth. THen in May 2007, the excruciating attacks began. I was involved in a car accident in 1998. My right jaw was in a lot of pain for about a week. They attributed it to TMJD, since I had that already, but it was primarily on the left side before the accident. After that, there was no pain. THen in 2004, I started a long bout of frustration, anger, bitterness, stress....and I think that is what initiated the excruciating attack.

6. Which time of the day you are worst?

All day. I guess more during the day because there are more things to stress me out.

7. What are the things which aggravate your suffering and which are those which ameliorate the same?

It's aggravated by negative emotional feelings. Also, things that assault my senses like loud noise, lots of activity. Talking about it makes it worse too. I think the arsenicum album may have made the symptoms less intense.

8. Do your think your sufferings have relation to any external stimuli (like, change of place) or any internal biological changes in the body, like, menses (in females)?

Maybe, not sure.


9. When do you feel better, during hot weather or cold weather, humid or dry weather?

cold and dry, although I don't like to be cold. I really hate being hot.

10. Describe your general mental set up? Are you Moody, Arrogant, Mild, Agreeable Changeable, Nervous, Suspicious, Easily offended, Quiet, Arguing, Irritating, Lazy etc.

very sensitive, I do take things personally easily. i have a hard time setting boundaries. fairly mild, but can have a temper. get anxious a lot. people generally describe me as very nice. i have a hard time expressing how i really feel. i'm gentle and am shocked when others are not.

- How do you feel before or during a thunderstorm?

i get excited about storms, but then i'm a bit scared during.

- Do you like being consoled during your tough times? yes

- Are you sensitive to external stimuli like smell, noise, light etc? YES! Loud noises, strong smells (bleach, perfume), bright glaring lights, messiness

- Do you have any typical habit or gesture like nail biting, causeless
weeping, talking to one self etc?

eating

- How do you feel about your friends, family, your children and especially your husband / wife?

I feel abandoned by my friends, i wonder what's wrong with me. I know my husband loves me, but he has created an environment around us that is difficult for me. He is redoing the living room (for 5 1/2 years) and the chaos gets to me sometimes. My daughter adores me, I feel guilty that I can't do more with her when I'm like this, like read her books, pray with her, play with her outside.


11. What are your fears and do you dream of any situation repeatedly?

I'm afraid of dying young, before my daughter grows up. I'm afraid of having a heart attack or stroke from this pain. I don't have repeated dreams, but my dreams are often stressful.

12. What do you crave for in food items and what are your aversions?

I crave sugar, although because I haven't eaten much all week, I don't have any cravings. I generally don't like shellfish

13. How is your thirst: Less, Normal or Excessive?

normal

14. How if your hunger: Less, Normal or Excessive?

normal, but I am overweight because I eat when not hungry

15. Is there any kind of food which your body can’t stand?

heavy cream (I have no gallbladder)

16. Is your sweat normal or less or more? Where does it sweat more: Head, Trunk or Limbs?

normal, head, I guess

17. How is your bowel movement and stool type?

daily, firm

18. How well do you sleep? Do you have a particular posture of sleeping?

usually, I sleep well. for the last week I haven't slept well because of the spasms. generally, i like to sleep on the right side, but since that is the sensitive side, I can't very much. I really can't sleep on my back without having extreme pain.

19. Do you think you are able to satisfy your sexual desires in general?

Yes

20. How do you think you are different from others, if at all?

too sensitive

21. What medications have been taken earlier by you to treat the diseases and do you have any particular symptom surfacing after the medication?

labetalol and HCTZ (hypertension); I tried Lyrica for the TN

22. What major diseases are running in your family?

hypertension, heart disease

23. Describe, how do you look like? Describe your overall appearance

5'7", 187 lbs. pear shape. long curly hair, blue eyes, glasses
24. (ONLY FOR FEMALES)

If you are not having normal menstrual cycles, please answer the following questions:

- Are the periods early, regular or late in general? How long do they last?

generally right on time, maybe a day or 2 early or late

- Do you suffer from any kind of physical or mental discomfort before, during or after the periods?

I get weepy and cramps

- Is the flow scanty, normal or excessive?
normal, I guess

- Is the blood thick bright red or pale watery?
thick, bright

- Do you notice any clots in the flow? occasionally

I'm feeling MUCH MUCH better. Thanks for all the help!

Thanks so much for your advice. I'm feeling better overall, but definitely my emotions are a huge factor in the pain. I haven't needed to take the Arsenicum in a while. The last time I took it, there wasn't much improvement, so I decided I would take it only when I really need it. The last few days have been a bit worse, so I'm considering taking it again. However, I may be pregnant. I am wondering if Arsenicum album, magnesium phosphate and potassium phosphate are safe to take. Thanks.