The Disease That Just About Broke Me – Trigeminal Neuralgia

I hope you and your families are all well! First of all, anyone that knows the real me, knows that when it comes to my private and personal matters, i.e. grief, daily pains, challenges or successes,

I tend to keep tight lipped unless I feel it will benefit others.

When I first decided to have my own blog to share my ups and down, advice, tips and tricks, and success stories illustrating that the mind and heart are the foundation to one moving forward and succeeding in life no matter what is thrown at them; I never thought that my first blog post would be about Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN or tic douloureux) – diagnosed with in late December 2016 – is a disorder of the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve that causes episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the branches of the nerve are distributed. TN is present in 100 to 200 people per 100 000, and new TN cases occur in 5 people per 100 000 each year.

If I had read this before I experienced it

I would have thought to myself that it sounds painful but I got this! Well yeah…I definitely got it but painful ain’t the word. You see, the episodes of pain generally last several seconds but may come and go and last for days, weeks, or months at a time, and then disappear for days, months or years. I used to fall into the ‘weeks’ category.

Suicide Disease…Say What Disease?

That’s right!

TN is disturbingly often referred to as ‘The Suicide Disease’. Up to 25% of sufferers are known to attempt or commit suicide (three times more than the general population) within the first two days. It the most excruciating pain known to man and medical science.

I’ll save the full details for another rainy day.

Personally, I believe that a new nickname should be put forward. If I wasn’t so mentally tough and determined to find a solution, going through all the countless sleepless nights, unable to touch or feel the right side of my face, eat or drink for days; watching and reading hundreds of pages of information about this condition would have sent me down a dark path of loneliness and depression. Everything that I have learnt about what triggers my pain and others, as well as finding out that there is no perfect solution. The short-term fixes, such as anti-seizure medication that stop the nerve from firing up. I.E. Carbamazepine (Tegretol), gabapentin, pregabalin, and the like. Help calm the nerve and reduce the pain. However, as I personally experienced and discovered, the side effects can be detrimental towards your day-day life. Over time condition deteriorates, doses increases as do the side effects.

When There's a Will...There's a way!

I have always been strong-willed, strong-minded and stubborn when it comes to medical science and doctors or anyone else telling me that something isn't possible and will only get worse. Throughout my life, I have overcome many obstacles and challenges that were thought by others as being next to impossible to overcome.

"Your Mind is The Powerhouse to Your Inner Museum"

I firmly believe that my mind is the powerhouse to my inner museum and have come to realise that how you define a situation or look at an obstacle/challenge, dictates what you do next and how you live your life. I believe, although there is no certain solution or permanent cure and this terrible disease can debilitate one's life without warning. There's a way to keep it at bay or limit the impact it has one's life.

Worth The Risk

Personally, I can't live my life anymore popping pills left, right and centre; having no sense of what's real and what's not, in hope that it might subdue the excruciating pain temporarily. The medication has had many side effects including lack of focus, dizziness, nausea and the inability to remember things that I normally would.

For this vary reason, I have taken upon myself to find a more sustainable permanent solution. I have incorporated a mixture of therapies and treatments, I.e., Chiro, physiotherapy, lymphatic and cranial work as well as the monthly jaw release. These treatments and therapies helped my daily-weekly occurrences turn to monthly.

However, it wasn't until I started researching for natural herbal remedies that would complement the active and healthy lifestyle I become accustomed to before I dealt with TN. I stumbled upon a mixture of herbs that give one an energetic boost, fit into a Intermittent Fasting (IF) lifestyle, and most importantly, reduces inflammation in one's nervous system.

It has taken me several months to perfect the right amount of each ingredient for effect and taste. However, since I have; I have been able to stop my TN medication completely, as well as my joint pain and acid reflux all but disappearing.

It has been 4 months since my last attack and usually winter is the worst time of the year as the cold and wind triggers my TN attacks. Hopefully Spring is as good...You never know, only time will tell but I really hope I have found a more sustainable solution for not only myself but for all people suffering from this terrible disease.

I intend to post the recipe in the coming weeks with a description of all ingredients and their benefits. I am hoping this will change your life as it has changed mine!

Remember If You Be True to Who You Are and Believe in Yourself...Anything is Possible! Stay True Be You.