Lindajb (Albany, Ohio) on 03/13/2015

I began many of the strategies suggested by many of you on this site: Biogetica, increased magnesium, diet, Vit B, bolstered my immune system, prayer, meditation. I think these strategies were all helpful as I believe in a holistic approach and I am grateful, for that reason for this website.

Now it is I have some important input to add. There has been mention of cold laser therapy, and especially for those of you suffering from a form of TN referred to as Post Herpetic Neuralgia there may be good news. I have researched Cold laser therapy which is also referred to as, Low level laser and found that although there is some dispute as to the efficacy of cold laser there is growing agreement as to its benefit in pain reduction with specifically nerve pain. The Trigeminal Nerve is the chief sensory nerve of the face which is why it causes so much havoc many of you report but the good news is that it is relatively superficial- which is to say easy to get at. It does not hurt, it has a slight warming sensation. The probe does not touch your face but rather is held 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the skin. It cannot harm you. With a class 4 laser you wear protective eyewear.

So, here is what I did. Using a protocol I heard about as a baseline that treats an hour a day, 5 days a week for three weeks (total 15 hours), I found a nearby Chiropractor who was willing to treat me with a Class 4 Cold laser following the nerve pathways of V1 and V2 . ( I printed out a schematic of the Trigeminal and took it in.) His laser machine runs 8 minute programs for neuropathy and we did two 8 minute treatments at one session and later added a third 8 minute session for a total of 24 minutes for a session. I went twice a week for 2 months and then tapered off. It has been 6 months now and I have had a total of 8 hours of treatment and I am pain free. If I do have a few 'hits' I go get a treatment. Yes, I still take 600mg of gabapentin but have been able to dose down and hope to reduce more after the cold weather has subsided. I experience weeks as opposed to days without as much as a twinge. I just went to the dentist for the first time in two years for a cleaning without a problem. I can brush, floss, eat, talk and move my upper lip and have not had a major 1-3 hour pain episode for 6 months since beginning the laser treatments. I probably began to feel the more lasting results at the 5-6 hour mark. If I had lived closer I might have gone more often.

According to the current FDA standards, an FDA cleared cold laser addresses 4 main issues: Chronic or Acute Pain control, Inflammation reduction, Increased blood flow and Accelerates healing.

So, if it is you want to give Cold laser a try here are my recommendations based on personal experience:

Locate a Chiropractor, Physical medicine clinic, Dentist etc. who offers Class 4 Cold laser treatments. Some may already have a protocol for TN. Many of you are aware of the M Beach clinic as well- (although I bit pricey)

Plan on having several treatments as I found it is not a magic-wand-one time only fix but rather has an accumulative effect and so several treatments are necessary.

Negotiate a price since you will need several treatments.

Stay hydrated.

Maintain all the things you have been doing. Supplements, homeopathics, hot packs, patches-- whatever you do that provides comfort.

Keep a journal to chart your progress.

Lastly, a resource for those who want to learn more about lasers is: COLDLASERS.ORG The site will educate you about lasers for pain management and how they affect the healing process. Especially for those of you who have had a viral assault or inflammatory process. I wish all of you who are experiencing this painful condition progress and blessings on your healing journey.

To your healing, Lindajb