Need more info re diagnosis

[issybelle]

Recently had a diagnosis of trigeminal neuropathy - unilateral from a neuro.  Need to find out more about this.  Also have absent corneal reflex on this side.  Will this ever come back? What is the cause, physiology of it (ie extent of nerve damage?) and the prognosis.  I have a mild connective tissue disorder too, and believe this is linked.  I have read  that is spreads to the other side of the face over a number of years?  

[DrNavneetMD]

Hello dear,

Trigeminal neuralgia causes facial pain. . The pain, which comes and goes, feels like bursts of sharp, stabbing, electric-shocks. This pain can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.
People with trigeminal neuralgia become plagued by intermittent severe pain that interferes with common daily activities such as eating and sleep
The pain comes from one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve—the major carrier of sensory information from the face to the brain.
There are 3 branches of the trigeminal nerve: the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular. The pain of trigeminal neuralgia occurs almost exclusively in the maxillary and mandibular divisions.
You most commonly feel pain in the maxillary nerve, which runs along your cheekbone, most of your nose, upper lip, and upper teeth. Next most commonly affected is the mandibular nerve, affecting your lower cheek, lower lip, and jaw.
In almost all cases (97%), pain will be restricted to one side of your face.
Corneal reflex is closing of the eyelids when the cornea is touched or a puff of air is blown on to it, mediated by the fifth cranial or trigeminal nerve and is ususlly absent in trigeminal neuralgia.
Usually trigeminal neuropathy is not related to connective tissue disorder.

Refer http://www.emedicinehealth.com/trigeminal_neuralgia_facial_nerve_pain/article_em.htm
Best

[issybelle]

thanks for your reply re my trigeminal neuroapthy.

I don't have any pain on left side just loss of sensation on cornea and top two areas of nerve innervtion on face.  I have tried carbamazepeine for 6 months but it made no difference. I aslo have pressure type headache behind eye on left side.   Trigeminal neuralgia has been ruled out.  

If not related to CTD then what might it be?

Thanks

issybelle