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The TNA National Conference 2021
I’m thrilled to announce that on the Saturday 20th of November 2021
we are holding our first post Covid AGM (9.30am) and TNA National Conference (10.30am).
We have excellent and inspiring speakers who are at the top of the medical profession from dentistry to neurosurgeons and neurologists and our own Professor Joanna Zakrzewska who will have exciting news about research which we hope will make a real difference.
We will be also doing some work around mindfulness and the whole area of ‘Living with Pain’ which may be an opportunity for you to try something new!
The AGM 9:30am &
TNA National Conference
are being held at the Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
Scarsdale Place Kensington London W8 5SY
Conference With Guest Speakers
10:30am – 4:00pm
Including Buffet Lunch
Teas, Coffee & Cookies
Limited Spaces
Please book early to avoid disappointment Government Covid 19 guidelines will be in place
Speakers
- Aneeta Prem CEO TNA
- Professor Joanna Zakrzewska
- Dr Giorgio Lambru
- Dr Imran Noorani
- Dr Robert Coveney
I really do so hope you can make this event as the speakers will be sharing a great deal of very valuable information.
It is also a great opportunity for us to meet face-to-face and get to know each other as it’s been so long since this has been able to happen.
It will be wonderful to share stories and best practice of how we can all help each other.
In the meantime, please keep this date firmly in your diary as we so hope to see as many of you who can possibly make it on Saturday 20th November.
With warmest regards,
Aneeta
Aneeta Prem
CEO TNA UK
Message from Aneeta Prem CEO
Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is the most painful condition known for any human being to endure.
The fifth cranial nerve, (the trigeminal nerve) supplies sensation to the face, and when it is damaged or loses control it fires pain to the face unmercifully. This pain sends recurrent electric shock-like (paroxysmal) pains along one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve (the maxillary, mandibular, and/or ophthalmic branches), each supplying a different portion of the face.
There is no cure for TN, however I know that some people are mercifully in remission and we pray for them that the pain does not return.
For those newly diagnosed, and all those who are fighting this horrendous pain every day of their lives, we wish to highlight to you that the 7th October is now recognised as the National Trigeminal Neuralgia Day.
This is incredibly important for us, because it’s our opportunity to raise awareness so that others can understand that those living with TN, suffer the most horrendous and worst pain in the world. Normally, this pain is suffered in silence and hidden away. We lose our ability to function, to enjoy life and a walk in the fresh air can rarely happen. Our lives are stolen from us. This is not called the suicide disease for nothing.
Friends, family, employers and colleagues need to understand that for someone living with TN then there must be additional care, empathy and adjustments need to be made available for that person to cope with every day simple things in life. They must understand that everyday tasks like talking, smiling, being in a room where there is air-conditioning and not being able to walk outside or just grab a coffee are removed from them.
Therefore the 7th of October is a hugely important day because it gives sufferers an opportunity to talk about their pain and for those who are fortunate to not suffer, to understand that this a hidden disability and needs to be treated with adjustment, care and love. They need to have an understanding of the importance for quiet, and offer support to a sufferer in an empathetic and thoughtful manner.
TN suffers need to be seen in specialist centres where good results can be obtained either through medication and/or surgery. Medication may help reduce the severity of pain but there can be side effects and some of the medication can interact with other drugs. Surgery may be the answer but this may not be the answer for everyone.
Becoming a member of TNA enables you to speak to others that have been on a similar journey to yourselves. You are able to share your experiences of suffering from TN, find support and learn about the latest research. Many sufferers find this understanding and support a lifeline.
There are surgical procedures available with a limited success rate. Some sufferers are able to undergo extensive Micro Vascular surgery (MVD) which can result in pain free remission but unfortunately not for all. We sadly know surgery is not an option for everyone, and despite many successes there are many people with TN who are still living with life changing pain.
To those of you who are lucky enough not to live with TN, please be grateful that you do not have to endure this hideous and debilitating pain.
About TN and TNA UK
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA is an extremely severe unilateral episodic facial pain that tends to come and go unpredictably in sudden shock-like attacks. The pain is normally triggered, for example by light touch, and is described as stabbing, shooting, excruciating or burning. It usually lasts for a few seconds but there can be many bursts of pain in quick succession. There can be slight variations of trigeminal neuralgia which require different treatments.
WE ARE the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK (TNA UK). We provide information, support and encouragement to those who suffer this excruciatingly painful condition. Our aim is to raise awareness of TN within the medical community and the general public at large. As a registered charity, TNA UK is entirely dependent on donations and annual membership fees in order to continue its work. We receive no funding whatsoever from central Government or corporate organisations.