Glossopharyngeal neuralgia: symptoms

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia: symptoms

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...
The Whiteboard

The Whiteboard

Nothing stirs my soul like a visual. Today I saw a picture of a man who is recovering. I’ve prayed for him and his family, but I have never met him. His daughter is a cherished friend of my Kelli. I’ll call her Jay. Jay came into Kelli’s life when I was hoping my...
A weary world rejoices

A weary world rejoices

Ready or not, willing or unwilling, the season to celebrate has arrived. For so much of 2020, celebrating has been the last thing on my mind. I have had long talks with God, asking Him if He is listening. So many people in my family have had COVID-19, and yes, we lost...
Your eye: the first division of your trigeminal nerve

Your eye: the first division of your trigeminal nerve

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...
Emotions and face pain

Emotions and face pain

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...