by Kathy Maresca | Jan 13, 2021
If one has trigeminal neuralgia, terror can rule the night. I was married when I had pain so horrific that my spouse sometimes awakened me, explaining that he could not sleep because I was screaming. I was amazed by the fact that I could slumber in spite of my...
by Kathy Maresca | Jan 13, 2021
Several years ago a blog post popped up, stating that 26 percent of all individuals who have trigeminal neuralgia (TN) commit suicide. I was working for TNA, The Facial Pain Association at the time, as the Director of Patient Services. What this means, basically, is...
by Kathy Maresca | Jan 13, 2021
What does glossopharyngeal neuralgia feel like? I will tell you about my own experience. My glossopharyngeal nerve sometimes causes stabs and jabs in my jaw. It can cause me to “jerk,” suddenly as though I have put my finger in a light socket. The pain sometimes...
by Kathy Maresca | Dec 21, 2020
Years ago, when I was new to the world of trigeminal neuralgia, I was visiting my neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. He asked me if I had eye pain, and I was shocked, thinking he could read my mind. I didn’t realize that he asked because eye pain is...
by Kathy Maresca | Dec 17, 2020
As someone who has counseled people with facial pain, I understand that it is not uncommon for someone’s emotions to reach a nadir. It doesn’t matter if it’s my pain or the pain that belongs to someone else. So I am always concerned when I hear that...
