Scientific and general interest news distributed monthly to patients with trigeminal neuralgia and related neuropathic face pain. Donate Other ways to support. Incidence 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.
Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Trigeminal neuralgia | MS Trust
Trigeminal neuralgia is a kind of nerve pain which can give stabbing or burning sensations down the side of the face, usually on one side only. The pain may only last a few seconds or minutes but may repeat many times during an attack. For some people the face pain is present all the time. Trigeminal neuralgia can be excruciatingly painful. Trigeminal neuralgia is more common in multiple sclerosis than in the general population and can be confused with dental pain.
When people have this, they feel a hot, stabbing facial pain. Just like any other nerve in the central nervous system CNS , the Trigeminal nerve which runs along the head, face and jaw line can be de-myelinated. This stripping of insulation caused issues different than many others. The bad news is that the pain can border on the unbearable. When it was described to the group, we all shrunk at the thought.
The trigeminal nerve carries signals between the brain and the face. Trigeminal neuralgia TN is a painful condition in which this nerve becomes irritated. The trigeminal nerve is one of 12 sets of cranial nerves. Symptoms of TN range from a constant ache to a sudden intense stabbing pain in the jaw or face.