Navigating Your Trigeminal Neuralgia When It Unexpectedly Strikes

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a relatively rare condition that affects the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve extends on both sides of the face toward your eyes, cheeks, and jaw. It controls the muscles used for chewing and transmits sensory information from your face.

TN causes frequent flare-ups where symptoms become more intense, which makes it challenging to manage, but you don’t have to suffer. Certain preventive actions can lower the risk of flares and help you feel your best.

At Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, regularly works with patients to prevent trigeminal neuralgia flares.

Read on to learn about the symptoms of TN flare-ups and what you can do to lower their frequency and intensity.

What a trigeminal neuralgia flare-up feels like

In many cases, trigeminal neuralgia occurs spontaneously, meaning there’s no obvious cause. However, facial trauma, dental treatments, or underlying medical conditions, like multiple sclerosis, can also cause it. 

Regardless of cause, TN flares typically present similar symptoms, including:

• Sudden, intense facial pain
• Electric shock-like sensations
• Burning or stabbing discomfort
• Pain that worsens while eating, talking, or brushing your teeth

Flares vary in intensity and duration, but without treatment, they can become debilitating and keep you from work and other activities you enjoy.

Effective ways to manage trigeminal neuralgia flares

Because TN flares are unpredictable, there’s no way to avoid them entirely. The good news is that you can take steps to reduce their frequency and intensity. We recommend:

Avoid triggers

TN flares get triggered often by certain activities or environmental factors, such as brushing your teeth, washing your face, or sudden temperature drops. 

You can’t stop practicing good hygiene, but you can change your approach. For example, after washing your face, gently pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it. Or, if you're used to shaving with a manual razor, switch to an electric one and use a low setting that’s less likely to trigger a flare.

If you’re sensitive to temperature changes, wear a jacket or scarf on cold, windy days and avoid direct contact with fans or HVAC vents.

Since everyone has different triggers, it’s helpful to keep a journal to track what worsens your symptoms. Over time, this can make it easier to identify and avoid them.

Spend time in quiet, relaxing environments

Stress, anxiety, and sensory overstimulation may worsen TN symptoms. Avoiding these external stressors can reduce intensity and help your autonomic nervous system relax.

That means you may want to avoid certain areas, such as nightclubs, concert venues, or other places with large crowds. It’s also a good idea to create a relaxation room at home. This room should feature a place where you can comfortably sit or lie down and adjust the lights and temperature.

Take medication as prescribed

Many people with TN take one or more prescription medications to help manage symptoms. However, these drugs are only effective when taken as prescribed on a set schedule. Skipping or forgetting your medicines can reduce their efficacy and cause sudden, intense flare-ups.

Keep stress in check

Stress is one of the most common triggers of TN. While there’s no way to prevent stress altogether, it’s important to remember that high stress levels often worsen symptoms. 

Stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation, can help calm your nervous system and reduce stress-related symptom flare-ups. 

Since it’s always better to manage stress preventively, try to set aside at least 15 minutes a day to relax and decompress. 

We can help keep your trigeminal neuralgia flares under control

If you’ve been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia and are struggling to manage your symptoms, don’t wait to seek professional help.

After discussing your symptoms and completing an exam, we can develop a treatment plan to reduce flares and improve your quality of life.

To get started, contact us today. Schedule an appointment by calling our office at 561-499-7020 or booking online.