ATN - pain

My sister has ATN and lives with this pain for several yeas (5-6). What are the tratment options available except the surgery?

[nancy99n]

By ATN -- do you mean Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia?  If so, there are 5 different types of surgery.  There are also medications -- mostly anti-seizure medications normally used for epilepsy -- that are used to control the pain.  Problem with the drugs is, they can cause other problems (kidney/liver) and regular blood tests are necessary.

A facial pain specialist is the best doctor to seek out or a neurologist.  I suggest a facial pain specialist first because all they do is treat people with TN.

Best of luck finding a pain solution!
Nancy

[Helena68]

Thank you on the response. Yes, my sister has Atypical trigeminal Neuralgia! I will try to contct them, but could you tell me what 5 different surgeries are available?

Thanks
Helena68

[nancy99n]

This link goes through a lot of the available procedures.  

http://www.umanitoba.ca/centres/cranial_nerves/trigeminal_neuralgia/manuscript/index.html

A good neurosurgeon or facial pain specialist should be able to give you information about all the procedures available and what would be recommended in your sister's case.

Another good site is http://www.fpa-support.org/ -- the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association.  They sell a book on their site called "Striking Back" that has a lot of good information.

Best of luck!
Nancy