Trigeminal Neuralgia Support Group

Trigeminal neuralgia, or Tic Douloureux, is a neuropathic disorder of the trigeminal nerve that causes episodes of intense pain in the eyes, lips, nose, scalp, forehead, and jaw. Trigeminal neuralgia is considered by many to be among the most painful of conditions.

418 Members

1,612 Posts

0 Online

ingelo 04/30/2011

As i posted in another place my TN has returned after a lengthy remission. I have been under severe stress because of my husband's decline( he has Alzheimer's). I finally had to place him in a long term care facility this week and my symptoms are getting worse and worse despite increased meds. The neurologist I saw during an earlier flare-up denied that there is any relation between stress and TN.
Anyone have any experience?

deleted_user 04/30/2011

Your neurologist is wrong. I have found that every time I am feeling extra stress I have had to increase my meds. Try some relaxation exercises if you can. Even if you just lie in bed and relax your muscles that can help. God bless you, you are living with a lot.

ingelo 04/30/2011

Thank you for your reply and your affirmation that I'm not crazy.
I will take an extra pill tonight. I'm at the nursing home nearly all day and it's terrible when I can't even talk with getting those awful shocks.
I have had to eat very carefully on the other side and couldn't even brush my teeth. I sure don't need this right now.
If I don't move or touch my tongue I'm OK.

deleted_user 04/30/2011

Stress is definately a trigger for TN flare ups. Not only can I personally attest to it but have seen it published as well. When I first got TN 11 years ago, I was going through a real bad time at work then when it returned 7 mos ago (after having MVD), I was in a real stressful situation. My son was in Afganistan for the first time, my husband's business dissapeared in front of our eyes and my 18 year old was - well that is a whole other story in itself. My coworker will confirm that everytime I have real bad stress, TN gets worse.

ingelo 05/01/2011

I'm so sorry to hear about all you are going through.
I can't even imagine having this for 11 years.
Eating, drinking and talking are so difficult. It seems as soon as I move my tongue even slightly the pain shoots through. This time it is reaching right up to my eye.
I have doubled the dose of meds and am hoping this will help. I have to be able to be strong for my husband to help him adjust to the nursing home. I never thought that TN would complicate things even more.
This is a nightmare.

deleted_user 05/01/2011

Have you had a MVD? Stress makes everything worse in our body...Drs don't know everything. what you going though is hard right now this might sound harsh but maybe just go and visit your husband a few hrs a day or takeoff a day don't feel guilt he is being taken care of you need to take care of yourself,,,,

ingelo 05/01/2011

No, I haven't had surgery. I have been in remission for 2 years so I really thought this thing was gone for good.
I am constantly questioning my decision to place him and am finding it incredibly hard to stay away. It makes me feel even worse to think I'm so concerned about me and how I feel.
I hope he settles soon and that the flare-up settles down again.

deleted_user 05/01/2011

You are really going through a lot right now, I'm so sorry. Yes, I agree with the others, your neurologist is wrong. Stress is horrible to our bodies and yes it plays a huge part with TN. I will pray for you and your husband and I hope he gets settled in so you can also take care of yourself. God Bless!!!

deleted_user 05/02/2011

ingelo-please I do not mean for it to sound mean-but please take care of yourself 1st.Your husband is in a great place and he will get his help-thru I know you can be a great help to him also.But you can forget yourself and you can be next in hospital.Get yourself in order-then you can help him.Pray you get better real soon.Not just here but many other sites-has always mention stress can really set off our TN and make it so much worse.Praying for you and your husband.

ingelo 05/02/2011

Thank you all. My problem is that I'm still wrestling with the question of whether I did the right thing in placing my husband. Even my doctor couldn't believe my second guessing myself.
I'm sure once I'm more at peace with this decision my TN will either go into remission or be more manageable.

yardlover 05/02/2011

Ingelo,
I am so sorry to hear all of what you have been going through. May God watch over you and take care of you during these difficult times. And yes! Stress does make TN worst. Your neurologist should have pointed this out to you, I agree with Nancy415 your neurologist is wrong. The stress of TN works on your nerves as well as it is a nerve problem. Also the medications we have to take to control TN pain, they are hard on us as well. I know it is very difficult, but it sounds like your husband is in a good place now so do take care of yourself.
May God Bless you,
yardlover - Linda

Luckybingobaby 05/02/2011

Ingelo,
You are not crazy. I have had this beast for 15 years and I can tell you stress plays a big parts in the pain. Up your meds for a few days. Take care. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.

Join the Conversation