Trigeminal Neuralgia - Round Two

 

It’s back.

And I want to cry.

Last time, it lasted 4 long, torturous months.  I don’t want to go there again. But I think it’s too late.

I find myself fearful. That is an understatement...

It showed up Monday, feeling like a piece of food between my teeth.  Within an hour, my upper and lower jaw ached like toothaches (only on the right side).  Then it spread to my cheek (bruised), my ear (infected) and my temple (migraine). The whole side of my face felt like the top of a throb.

It’s hard to smile… and sleep… and eat.

That first morning, I had crunchy cereal with cold milk.  I forgot about the sensitivity issues.  You know when you have a toothache and the dentist raps your tooth with his hammer and they have to peel you off the ceiling.  Yeah, that feeling.

I'm really not trying to complain.  But I do want a record of what it feels like… in case my memory gets fuzzy.

Oh yeah, that’s already an issue...

Now, what was I talking about?

I was reading up on it today.  Here’s a little factoid: For years, it was called “the suicide disease”. No kidding. 

Ha!  When I went back to link this to an old post, I see my friend, Kim, asked if this was called the "suicide disease"!  I have some pretty well-read friends.  :-)

So, if you see me around, and I’m not smiling, please don’t think I’m angry or unfriendly. I’m just trying to focus on not moving my head/face.

Thankfully, the really intense pain comes and goes.  I can mostly handle the dull ache that sticks around.  Here's a positive spin:  Ice cream has suddenly lost it's luster for me.  :-)

 

Blessings to you,

Mamita