Trigeminal Neuralgia | Finding Hope and Healing in Jesus

What is TN? 

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve, which is one of the five major nerves in the face. The trigeminal nerve carries sensory information from the face to the brain, and it also controls some of the muscles in the face. 

TN is a relatively rare disorder, affecting about 1 in 15,000 people. It is more common in women than in men, and it usually starts in people over the age of 50. 

TN causes episodes of severe, sharp, stabbing and often electric like pain in the face. The pain is usually felt on one side of the face, and it can occur in any area of the face like your jaw, temple, eye, ear, and scalp, cheek, and forhead anywhere that is supplied by the trigeminal nerve. The pain can be triggered by things like chewing, talking, touching the face, brushing your teeth or hair and even a slight breeze. It can cause sharp and stabbing pain, that is often excruciating and incapacitating— for me also add a jolt for, sneezing, coughing, bending, wind and sometimes but not always a simple yes/no motion. My jolts travel from the back of my head/neck area up through to my scalp. 

John Hopkins Medicine says that “ Pain occurs in intermittent bursts that last anywhere from a few seconds to two minutes, becoming more and more frequent until the pain is almost continuous.” 

And 

“Flare-ups may continue for a few weeks or months followed by a pain-free period that can last a year or more. Although trigeminal neuralgia pain may seem to disappear, it always comes back, often with more intensity.” 

The cause of TN is not fully understood, but it is thought to be caused by damage to the trigeminal nerve. This damage can be caused by a number of things, including: 

—A blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve 

— Degeneration of the trigeminal nerve 

— Tumors or other lesions on the trigeminal nerve 

— An injury to the face such as a fall or blow to your face 

— Research is also looking into seeing if shingles on the face— Which I’ve had, can cause TN.

Other symptoms of TN can include 

— Numbness or tingling in the face 

— Muscle weakness in the face 

— Sensitivity to light or sound 

— Depression 

— Anxiety 

— Twitching 

There is no cure for TN, but there are treatments that can help to relieve the pain. The goal of treatment is to find a treatment that works well for the individual and that has the fewest side effects. 

Some of the treatments for TN include 

— Living with trigeminal neuralgia is an arduous task, but there are several treatments available to help alleviate the pain and improve the quality of life. Some of the therapies available for this condition include medications, nerve blocks, and surgeries. However, it is essential to work with a healthcare provider or neurologist to figure out the most effective treatment plan for the individual. 

An Encouraging Word

TN can be a very painful and debilitating disorder. It can be difficult to cope with the pain and the uncertainty of the future. However, it is important to remember that God is with you through this. He understands your pain, and He wants to help you. 

There are a number of things that you can do to cope with trigeminal neuralgia. You can find a support group or talk to a therapist.  

It is also important to remember that God is good and is always with us through our struggles. In Philippians 4:13, it says that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We can find solace and fortitude in knowing that God is with us and will never abandon us. So, if you are dealing with TN, always rely on God and have faith that He will grant you the strength to overcome this challenge. 

Here are some Bible verses that can offer encouragement during these difficult times 

— Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” ~NIV~ 

— Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ~NIV~ 

— Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” ~NIV~ 

— Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~NIV~ 

And my favorite for encouragement is 

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 — NIV 

If you are struggling with trigeminal neuralgia, please know that you are not alone. There are people who care about you and who want to help. Please reach out for help and don’t give up hope. God loves you and He has a plan for your life. Even though you are going through a difficult time, God is with you, and He will help you through it. 

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