How do you diagnose Trygeminal Neuralgia?

Answer 1

Severe and deep set pain in the head on one side only, which spreads around to the facial bones and jaw lines. One only has to tap the side of the face above the ear and there will be an acute shot of pain. Sometimes all the teeth feel painful and the patient is unable to bear any pressure, such as lying on, that side of the face. The most telling symptom for diagnosis is that regular painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprophen have no effect on the pain. The patient is acutely uncomfortable and can be distressed to the point of feeling anxious, depressed and panicky because there is no relief from the pain. (Hence trygeminal neuralgia is often known as suicide disease) Some times the pain subsides and returns in waves of stabbing pain. For a complete diagnosis, if the patient is given the drug Tegretol and gains substantial relief from a dose of 200mg then the diagnosis is accurate.

Answer 2

Physicians begin with a thorough examination, and often include a CT scan or MRI. These will sometimes uncover an artery or tumor that is compressing the nerve and creating the symptoms

Answer 3

Diagnosis is based on the symptoms, and especially on the location of the pain. Medical history is also useful.