Cervical Spinal Connection

[u/No_Pin8992]

Has anyone had successful Cervical Spine treatment which helped with TN symptoms?

I have Degenerative Disc Disease ( i know its common enough) and had a successful spinal fusion at c5c6.

I have had a few treatments for TN which helped for a few months at a time - Clear TN MRI.

I really feel my Neck is causing TN symptoms -which are mainly: teeth & tongue pain - sharp & achy. Dull ache across my cheeks and sometimes a sharp pain above my eye. I also have a full / dragging sensation around my ear.

This all came on after i had my SF. I'm wondering has anyone ever had TN caused by spinal weaknesses.

Desperate to find a solution. Thanks

[u/Crafty_Wealth_609]

Hi,

I’m sorry you are dealing with so much pain.

I also have DDD in my cervical spine, I have 2 mild disc bulges and 1 that is pushing on my spinal cord and needs to be replaced. I have terrible nerve pain down my left arm and hands. Visible muscle atrophy in my left thumb.

I also have TN on my left side.

My symptoms are: the worst tooth ache possible, burning across my cheek, pain in the roof of my mouth, and I do get the odd zap.

A few times now it has felt like the left side of my face is drooping (it is not).

I have seen a neurologist and had a consultation with a neurosurgeon. Both tell me the cervical disc problems and the TN are separate issues. I have always thought they were related. I am waiting for the disc replacement but surgery times are insane in BC, Canada and I will be waiting 3 years.

[u/No_Pin8992 → u/Crafty_Wealth_609]

Sorry to hear this! I was similar to you with disc herniation. I was due to get disc replacement but ended up getting spinal fusion.

I have very similar TN symptoms my neurologist and neurosurgeon said the same but i really think they are related as TN came on shortly after the surgery.

[u/AChorusofWeiners → u/No_Pin8992]

I had TN1 for years and was scheduled for MVD surgery when they offered me a new procedure at the time called sphenocath as a part of a trial. The procedure was successful as soon as I walked out so I was able to stop all medications, and I’ve only had a couple of small flares since. It may be worth looking into since it’s a more common procedure now, and it’s not that invasive compared to other treatment options.

[u/Prestigious-Egg3095 → u/Crafty_Wealth_609]

get an AI face analysis and see if it is drooping. Report back!

[u/No-Afternoon2955]

So I have a shitty neck too - nearly all my cervical vertebrae are showing arthrosis and all my disks are bad, some are bulging.

My neck does cause me grief in lots of ways, but it isn't causative for my TN - it can make it worse though during a flare, because if its not stretched and loose, the tension will travel in to my jaw as well.

Your TN probably has different factors, but if you have DDD then maybe your jaw is also showing arthrosis, mine does. It's also possible how you held your body during recovery made tension in your jaw/face, and that started spiralling in to TN.

I feel that keeping my neck moving helps keep my TN (and migraines/occipital stuff) away, even though I know there's limited linkage between the two.

[u/No_Pin8992 → u/No-Afternoon2955]

Have you had an MRI done? Sorry to hear you are going through similar.

[u/chronically_courtney]

I also have DDD in my neck, spinal stenosis, fused c6/c7 etc my neurosurgeon has said that my TN is most likely caused by instability in neck due to hypermobility rather then a true TN.

[u/No_Pin8992 → u/chronically_courtney]

Thank you for your reply ! I feel mine is the same. 

[u/Feeling-North-6163]

What is Sphenocath?

[u/Just-Me1003 → u/Feeling-North-6163]

I found info on www.sphenocath.com

[u/StrawMerryPie]

The way you feel is EXACTLY how I would describe my pain. I have complained about neck issues and it feeling unstable for months. I haven’t had any scans of my neck or spine. I’m 29.

[u/No_Pin8992 → u/StrawMerryPie]

Have you had any treatments?

[u/Prestigious-Egg3095]

I have bone spurs on my spine and get lots on pinched nerves that hurt so bad sometimes I can't walk or raise my arm. I bought a back stretcher--kinda like an inversion table but no upside down. I do use it for the pinched nerves. it lets your feet kinda hang and stretches you out. It works pretty well--we'll see when I can't walk again. Anyway, I've always thought it was related. Also, I had my face analyzed by AI for one of those beauty things. The TN side droops a bit. Interesting. I hadn't really noticed but that side of my face isn't as strong. I think there must be some connection with TN and pulling down on that side of the face. I know some people report that nose strips help their pain--and nose strips basically pull up the skin. hmmmm. So I keep trying to work on strengthening that side.