First it was Covid, then it was a cough and flu virus. Having gone for my routine check-up at the dentist it was confirmed there is a tightening of the muscle at the back of my mouth on the left side, my cerebral palsy side. The right side of my mouth is normal.

From a holistic clinician's diagnosis, I am told I have Trigeminal Neuralgia. It causes severe and sudden facial pain and including a sharp, shooting pain in the jaw, teeth, and gums. They happen in unpredictable, short attacks that can last around from around a few seconds to up to two minutes.

"The compression of the trigeminal nerve is usually caused by a nearby blood vessel pressing on part of the nerve inside the skull. This is the nerve inside the skull that transmits sensations of pain and touch from your face, teeth and mouth to your brain. It can also happen when the nerve is damaged by another medical condition, in my case cerebral palsy. It can also be damaged by other medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS) or a brain tumour." (Source: https://www.nhs.co.uk)

Trigeminal Neuralgia symptoms

Trigeminal Neuralgia causes severe and sudden facial pain and includes a sharp, shooting pain in the jaw, teeth and gums. The condition affects my left side, with the pain usually in the lower part of my face. People can experience pain regularly for days, weeks, even months, one hundred times a day with no warning.

Trigeminal neuralgia can improve and disappear in remission for several months or years, although these periods may get shorter in time. Some may develop a continuous aching, burning or throbbing sensation. Not a lot is known about the condition. I live with sharp pains, then throbbing pains, then I'm left with a dull ache. Everything I eat has to be either soft or be at room temperature.

Quality of life

For anyone living with the condition their quality of life can be somewhat reduced. The condition can result in depression, weight loss and can cause mental isolation.

The condition can also be triggered by the wind, or a slight breeze. Sometimes the pain can happen without a trigger, or by touching the face and brushing ones teeth.

Source: https://www.nhs.co.uk