FPA Blog

Posted by John Koff

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia? Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) also known as tic douloureux, is an excruciating facial pain that tends to come and go in sudden shock-like attacks. For some, it will be relentless, lightning-like bolts of pain. Classic TN has distinct symptoms which clearly separate it from other forms of facial pain: It is usually unilateral pain, only occurring …

Posted by John Koff

At the 2013 FPA National Conference, Leesa Morrow, PhD shares extensive detail of how to effectively live with chronic pain, including facial nerve pain. Dr. Morrow discusses  research that examines the formation of personality as an inherited trait and how it affects your personal experience with pain.  She also provides symptoms and data associated with depression, and …

Posted by John Koff

We are excited to release the latest quarterly journal of The Facial Pain Association featuring many new articles on what’s new with our organization. Catch up with us on the links as we share details of the 3rd Annual Matt Redwind FPA Charitable Golf Tournament or continue our gripping series of excerpts from FPA Board Member’s Tom …

Posted by John Koff

All tips are in the patient’s own words. These tips are anecdotal only and are not endorsed by FPA. They are intended for information purposes only, to supplement a visitor’s general knowledge. It is not intended to replace or in any way supplement or qualify the services of a qualified medical professional and/or other appropriate …

Posted by John Koff

TN may rarely be the first symptom of MS, but usually does not begin until about 11 years after the onset of MS.
When TN is diagnosed in anyone under the age of 40, MS is suspected and should be ruled out.
TN with MS is 18% more likely to be bilateral. It usually begins on one side and after years occurs on the other. It is preferable to treat each side individually, while guarding against having numbness on both sides.
TN with MS is more likely to be atypical pain – dull, burning & constant rather than electric bolt type pain.
1-2% of MS patients develop TN.

Posted by John Koff

Published by TNA and written by Joanna Zakrzewska, Professor of Pain in relation to Oral Medicine and an Honorary Consultant at the Institute of Dentistry, Barts and the London, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, University oPublished by TNA and written by George Weigel and Kenneth F. Casey, M.D., is written in layman’s terms, describes all aspects of TN and provides information and resources for patients, family, and medical professionals.

Posted by John Koff

If damaged myelin is at the heart of the trigeminal nerve’s short-circuiting pain, then fixing it seems to be a logical goal. Neurosurgeons address this problem by seeking to move a blood vessel away from the area where the vessel is hitting the nerve as blood pumps through it and consequently wears down the myelin sheath.

The nutritional approach encourages the body to heal injured myelin. Because Vitamin B-12 is thought to play a role in myelin production, it is one of the most common nutrients used in trying to combat TN and neuropathic facial pain.

Posted by John Koff

What is Anesthesia Dolorosa (AD)? The cause of AD. Why AD occurs. What the pain of AD feels like. Why it’s important to distinguish the difference between AD and TN. Treatments for AD.

Posted by John Koff

We are continually looking for ways of coping with neuropathic facial pain. Until a cure is found, it is important to keep a positive attitude. Facing pain everyday makes this very difficult to do. Sometimes we must reach out to a fellow sufferer of pain to find new ways of coping. One such person is Deborah Barrett, PhD, MSW, LCSW. Dr. Barrett draws from her professional experience and “the empathy that comes from life in the pain trenches.”