DIAGNOSIS OF TN
As TN is not a common complaint and there are many other types of facial pain, we recommend that you seek a referral to a neurologist for a diagnosis of the pain and the prescribing of the medication most suited to the pain.
TN is not always easy to diagnose because it can mimic many other possible problems especially in the early stages. Unlike many afflictions, there is no blood test, x-ray or other test that tells you that you have TN. It is diagnosed by the patient’s description of the symptoms and by ruling out other things. Therefore it is important to provide the doctor with a clear description of the pain.
ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS WILL ASSIST THE DOCTOR IN DIAGNOSING YOUR PAIN
• Is pain predominately in your face – ie forehead, eye cheek, nose, upper/lower jaw, lips etc
• Is pain only on one side of your face
• Is pain entirely or mostly brief
• Is it electrical, shocking, stabbing, shooting
• Do you have constant background facial pain eg aching, burning, throbbing, stinging and is it for more than half of your waking hours
• Can your pain start by something touching your face eg by eating, washing your face, shaving, brushing your teeth etc
• Since the pain started, have you ever experienced periods of weeks, months, or years when you were pain free (This does not include periods after pain relieving surgery or while on medications for the pain)
• What medicines are you taking for the pain? List and include over the counter ones, the dosage and time of day taken
• Did you experience any major reduction in facial pain (partial or complete) from taking any of these drugs. Was there any side effects?
• Did your pain start after shingles
• Do you have multiple sclerosis
• Did your pain start after a facial injury
• Did your pain start only after facial surgery (ie oral surgery, ear/nose/throat surgery or plastic surgery)
• When you place your index finger right in front of your ears on both sides at once and feel your jaw open and close, does the area under your fingers on either side hurt
