Question about CN anatomy

I have TN and for the most part it is sensory only.  But everything I read about it also notes that it can be called "tic douloureux" because it is sometimes accompanied by spasms in the face.

I don't usually get this, but I have occasionally had some minor fasciculations (my spelling is horrible today!).  Yesterday, I started having much worse spasms/fasciculations/uncontrollable movements in my left cheek.  It did eventually stop, but it was very disconcerting.

So my question is, WHY would damage to CN-V, which controls sensation to the face and the only movement is to the lower jaw, cause spasms (or tics or whatever) in the cheek and eye????  It's not pain causing me to wince, this is involuntary movement.  Wouldn't this be caused by CN-VII?

I can't find the answer to this anywhere and I'm curious.  Is the damage to two CNs?  Are they near each other?  Any input would be appreciated.

Stephanie

[slightlybroken]

I'm not sure if this will answer your question or not, but here is a great website that talks about TN. It even has an questionnaire. It has a diagram of the branches of the cranial nerve. According to what it says, CN-V has it's branches along the lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, upper jaw, and lower jaw.

Here is the website:
http://www.ohsu.edu/health/health-topics/topic.cfm?id=13916

Take Care

[Quixotic1]

Yes, I think you are talking about damage to both CN V and CN VII.  The writhing or undulating movements from spasms of facial muscles is cause, I think, myokymia.  You might google myodymia and see.

The litertuature talks about the pain from TN causing the severe facial spasms though a mechanism that no one seems to understand.  I think it makes most sense to invoke abnormal activity in both of the involved Cranial Nerves.

Another website that is linked to thye OHSU site is

fpa-support.org

It also has the OHSU questionaire.

Quix

[steph74]

Thanks, Quix.  I've always wondered about the spasms or "tic" mentioned with TN, but the most anyone says is that it's a grimace from pain.  That's definitely not what I'm having.  Good to know I'm not just missing something here.  :)

Thanks for the link, SB--I tried it yesterday and it was broken, but I'll try again today.

[slightlybroken]

Here is a page about myokymia:

http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/myokymia.html