Trigeminal Neuralgia Options

The trigeminal nerve runs through the face and can be affected by neuralgia (meaning nerve pain), most commonly caused by pressure on the nerve from a blood vessel. This pain can be set off by routine and even mild facial stimulation and may be frequently recurring or intermittent, meaning that it comes and goes. A number of different treatment options are available for trigeminal neuralgia, and the best treatment varies based on an individual patient's needs.

Evaluation

• The most important step in treating trigeminal neuralgia is being examined by a doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms. The Mayo Clinic reports that pain in the face could be caused by other conditions, so it is important to describe your symptoms to your doctor and to undergo a physical examination and possible MRI to correctly diagnose trigeminal neuralgia.

Medications

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers cannot successfully manage neuralgia, or pain in a nerve. According to the Mayo Clinic, anticonvulsant medications and muscle relaxers are used instead in the management of trigeminal neuralgia. Anticonvulsant medications may cause a number of side effects, and people taking them should be closely monitored for effects like increased suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide). Anticonvulsant regimens may need to be changed in order to ensure continued effectiveness. Medline Plus also reports the use of migraine medications and tricyclic antidepressants to relieve the condition.

  An injection of alcohol near the site of facial pain may help temporarily relieve the pain of trigeminal neuralgia, but this procedure may need to be repeated, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Surgery

• A number of different surgical procedures are available to help provide relief from trigeminal neuralgia. The Mayo Clinic reports that these operations have two different main goals: one, to damage the trigeminal nerve (so that it can no longer send pain signals to the brain); or two, to relieve pressure from the blood vessel on the nerve. These operations may cause numbness in the face and may not bring permanent relief from trigeminal neuralgia.

Alternative therapies

• For many neuralgic conditions, alternative methods of pain relief are sought, as the pain can often be quite severe and difficult to manage. The Mayo Clinic reports that some of the following may be used after consulting a doctor to ensure the treatment will not react negatively with ongoing medical treatment: acupuncture, biofeedback, taking vitamins and supplements as well as using electrical nerve stimulation.