Question: i have trigeminal neuralgia......some docs want it to be 'TJM', -quite another thing altogether, some don't know about it at all...... there seems to be no cure, and little interest in finding one. (i wish it on you all...sorry). currently i take as much baclofen as seems prudent, and neurontin, i have MS, so i'm taking a pre-ordained protocol with them, even without TM. this includes 'rebif' self injecting 3x weekly, just so you know. TM is often associated with MS. anyway, there is seemingly no good result, unless without them all it might be worse. any more that i might do? is the hemlock society the only strategy?

thank you, doctor, for your detailed (and different!) reply. a dental surgeon has recently eliminated TMJ. it is classic TN: at the worst, my affliction attacks behind the eye, across the lips and gums -as multiple toothaches- and my sinuses as uncontrollable running nose, and at the joint of the tongue, nearly preventing speech and swallowing. however, it is as if the other side of my face hasn't a care in the world! the demarcation is quite clear, and the pain occurs with touch, change if head position, or at rest. it is so severe that my other joints go limp. usually it is a less severe, 'normal' attack of dull, focused pain...toothache, for instance...how it was originally revealed. it can last for seconds or days. my other-wise qualified neurologist is the latest of 3 to minimize my problem to a drug/ neurological approach: frequent doses of neurontin and baclofen. i will immediately suggest that my neurologist assess the drugs you mention...hopefully i can self-inject, as i do with rebif. their recommended surgeons offer ''mechanical'' solutions, from enlarging the skull-hole exit point of the nerve and neighboring blood vessel with an artificial 'bumper,' if it is a case of pinching or inflammation; or injections of alcohol or even botox to relax the nerve. of course topical and aurevedic approaches and acupuncture have not been helpful. i take various anti-inflammatory drugs in hopes they minimize that issue.....many down-sides. your dietary prohibitions describe my entire menu! much harder than taking yet another drug! i have the WILL to try it, but perhaps not the DISCIPLINE. a good explanation WHY may give me motivation. can i look it up? thank you again for adding new information to help me defeat or tame this 10 year old problem. comment? sincerely, XXXX

i will follow your welcome advice as well as i can. thank you again. XXXXXXX c.