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Trigeminal Neuralgia triggered by anxiety

by Nikki
(Tampa Bay, FL)

So thankful to find this information. I'm almost 45 and have had pain from trigeminal neuralgia since I was 37. I have determined that it is definitely triggered by anxiety. When I'm not anxious, I have no pain. Sometimes, it doesn't take much to make me feel anxious, which triggers the pain, which makes me more anxious...it's a vicious cycle and one that is difficult to break. Because of the pain, I have difficulty eating and taking supplements, so I'm sure I'm nutrient deficient.

Via email a naturopathic doctor recommended that I take a progesterone supplement that I rub into my gums. http://www.hypothyroidismrevolution.com/members/supplements/kenogen-progest-e-complex/

She suggested 3-4 drops a day (3 mg/drop), gradually increasing to 3 drops 5X/day or symptomatically. Does this sound right to you? According to what I've read on your site, these doses sound low and maybe even scary considering it could increase estrogen initially and worsen symptoms. I'm wondering if it is different because it is oral rather than transdermal?

What would be your recommendation? Is the cream the best way to go?

Thanks!
Nikki

Comments for Trigeminal Neuralgia triggered by anxiety

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Dec 31, 2014
 Trigeminal Neuralgia triggered by anxiety
by: Wray

Hi Nikki Thanks for the kind words about the site. TN pain is meant to be one of the worst, anything you can do to decrease it the better. Progesterone is a potent Anxiolytic, plus it's an anti-inflammatory too. I have no experience in it's use for TN, or heard of any success story, but it's certainly worth a try. Particularly as you believe yours is initiated by anxiety. The trigeminal nerve is not located in the gums, but in the cranium. For this reason I would suggest rubbing the progesterone all over your jaw line, down your neck and behind your ears. Plus rubbing it over other parts of the body, rubbing it on the jaw or gums will not give you enough progesterone. Oral progesterone is the least effective Delivery system, "The liver and gut region removed a mean of 96 per cent of the progesterone entering these tissues", see here. Having said that I have used our cream in my mouth if a sore develops, it's excellent for that. It is slightly bitter, but no more so than coffee, which I consume in large amounts! I would not use it orally for my main means of absorption. There is also evidence that oils or gels are not the most efficient carriers of progesterone, whereas emulsions are, see here. We do have a few pages you could look through on How to use Progesterone Cream, Oestrogen Dominance and Peri-menopause. Take care Wray
Jan 01, 2015
 Dosing
by: Nikki

Thanks so much, Wray! So reading through the info you provided, I'm most definitely peri-menopausal and I have extreme symptoms, so I should start with 400-500 mg/day and use it everyday? Thanks again and Happy New Year!
Jan 12, 2015
 Dosing
by: Wray

Hi Nikki You have got extreme symptoms! It is best to use it daily and a high amount under the circumstances, but unfortunately I can't say how much. Please give it enough time to work, before stopping using it. I wish I had more experience in TN, but would really appreciate it if you do have a positive response to let me know. Even a negative response I'd like to know about too. Take care Wray
Jan 12, 2015
 what I'm doing
by: Nikki

Thanks, Wray. Right now, I'm using 2.5 to 3 t. a day (estimating it's 400-500 mg/day). I would say that so far, I'm feeling a bit better, but it's hard to say if it's because of the progesterone or other factors. What I'm looking for is long-term relief despite my circumstances. I've also ordered several of the supplements you recommended for anxiety (taurine, zinc, glycine, inositol and niacinamide). I already take Vit D3, theanine and phosphtidylserine. I can let you know how things go.
Nov 27, 2022
 How is status today
by: Ani

Dear Nikki
I am mid 40ty and recently diagnosed with trigemenal neuralgia.
I have been sufflering from vitamin D deficiency - so the interaction with progesterone has been in my interest. The remyelinisation effects of progesterone seem promissing. So I wonder how your experiments wend?

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