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Understand the diagnosis
TN is a facial pain condition involving the trigeminal nerve. The pattern, triggers and type of pain matter when clinicians assess it.
Read about trigeminal neuralgiaNewly diagnosed with TN
Newly diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia?
You do not need to learn everything today. Start here, one step at a time. You are not alone.
A new diagnosis can bring relief at finally having a name for the pain, but it can also bring fear, questions and far too much information at once. TNA UK is here to help you understand what comes next and to connect you with people who understand trigeminal neuralgia.
You do not need to be a member to contact the Helpline.
Before anything else
Do not let the internet tell you what your future will be.
If you have been searching online, you may already have come across frightening or outdated labels and worst-case stories. We do not use those labels. TN can cause severe pain and can affect everyday life, but another person’s experience is not a prediction of yours.
Start with reliable clinical information, take your own situation one stage at a time, and speak to someone if what you are reading is making you frightened or overwhelmed.
Your first steps
Four things to focus on first
You do not need a masterclass in TN today. These are the useful first steps.
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Use medicines safely
Take prescribed medicines as directed and tell your prescriber about troublesome side effects. Do not change or stop treatment without medical advice.
Read NHS treatment information3
Prepare for appointments
Write down what the pain feels like, where it happens, how long attacks last, triggers, medicines and side effects. A short record can make appointments more useful.
Prepare for your consultation4
Do not do this alone
Speaking to someone who understands TN can make a real difference. Our support is for newly diagnosed people as well as those who have lived with TN for years.
See ways to get supportWhat may happen next
Diagnosis and treatment, in plain English
Your own clinician should advise you about your diagnosis and treatment. These are the broad steps many people encounter.
Diagnosis
There is no single test that proves TN. Diagnosis is usually based on the description and pattern of your pain, alongside an examination and consideration of other possible causes. An MRI scan is often used to help with diagnosis and to look for possible causes of facial pain.
Treatment
Treatment often begins with prescribed medicine for nerve pain. If treatment is not controlling symptoms well enough, or side effects are difficult, a GP or specialist may consider other medicines or referral for specialist assessment and procedures.
Everyday life
TN can affect more than the moments of pain
Eating, drinking, speaking, brushing teeth, washing the face, cold air, work and social plans can all become more complicated for some people. Practical adjustments can help you feel more prepared without letting TN take over every decision.
Work and money
If TN or medication is affecting work, find out what support and adjustments may be available and what financial help exists.
Work and your rightsBenefits & financial support
Family and people close to you
People often want to help but may not understand what an invisible pain condition is like. Giving them clear information can reduce pressure on everyone.
Information for carers, family and friendsYoung people
TN and facial pain can affect school, college, friendships and family life differently when you are young. We have a dedicated starting point for younger people.
Young People & Facial PainYou are not alone
Choose the support that feels right for you
You can use more than one route, and you do not have to wait until things feel unbearable before getting in touch.
Helpline
Talk to someone who understands TN. Call 0800 999 1899 and choose Option 1.
Call the Helplinee-helpline
If speaking on the phone is difficult, or you prefer to write things down, email us.
[email protected]Regional Support Groups
Meet or connect with other people who understand the day-to-day reality of TN and facial pain.
Find a Regional Support GroupFriendship Line
For people who would value regular human contact and a familiar person to talk to, ask us about the Friendship Line.
Ask about the Friendship LineNational Zoom meetings
Join TNA UK meetings and events from home and hear from the wider TN community.
See upcoming meetingsMembership
Membership gives you additional information and ways to stay connected. You can still contact our Helpline whether or not you are a member.
Join TNA UKCommon questions
Things people often ask just after diagnosis
Is everyone’s TN the same?
No. The location, pattern, triggers, frequency and impact of pain can differ from person to person. Your clinician should base advice on your own symptoms and circumstances.
Will it always stay exactly as it is now?
Not necessarily. TN can change over time and some people experience periods when symptoms reduce or disappear. It is better to focus on your own response to treatment than to use someone else’s story as a forecast.
What if my medicine is causing side effects?
Tell the clinician who prescribed it. Medicines used for TN can cause side effects and treatment sometimes needs adjusting. Do not suddenly stop or change prescribed medicine without medical advice.
Do I need to join TNA before I can ask for help?
No. You can contact the TNA UK Helpline without being a member. Membership offers additional information and ways to connect, but it is not a barrier to asking for support.
For today
One next step is enough.
You do not have to solve TN in one evening. Call us, email us, write down your questions for your next appointment, or simply read one reliable page and stop there for now.
General information only — not a diagnosis or individual treatment plan. For clinical advice, speak to your GP or specialist. NHS trigeminal neuralgia information.