You and your physician should determine which treatment is best for you. Neuralgia is severe pain caused by injury or damage to a nerve. Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful disorder of the fifth cranial nerve, called the trigeminal nerve. This nerve arises in the brain, supplying feeling and movement in the face. The pain of trigeminal neuralgia is serious because it interferes with many aspects of a person's life.
Patients describe it as a burning or jabbing sensation, or an electrical shock.
In some cases of extreme pain, patients have even considered suicide. Trigeminal neuralgia is also called tic douloureux because of the uncontrollable facial twitching caused by the pain. When the trigeminal nerve becomes irritated, an episode of intense pain results. Everyday activities can trigger an episode. These zones are usually near the nose, lips, eyes, or ear.