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I'M DARRELL FRYER, A TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA FIGHTER
SUFFERING FROM TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA AND FACIAL PAIN?
In July 2016, I spent 10 days in a hospital room writhing in facial pain that felt like someone was stabbing my eye with a 12" knife over and over. I tried surfing the internet looking for information on what I might have. It depressed and scared the hell out of me knowing that I might have this disease called Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN). A very rare disease. Your family feels helpless. The meds my doctor were giving me were not helping one bit along with the IV morphine. I could not eat, drink, touch my nose or eye, brush my teeth, and it got so bad I couldn't even swallow because every time I did, it was another knife in my eye. It is known as the worst pain known to humans. It's called the "suicide disease" and I know why. The reason for this website is at the time, I wished I could have talked or emailed or seen someone who had been through this. It was like being alone on an island. No one understood what was going on or how brutally painful it is! This is one disease there's no cause or cure and it's degenerative. It's not God giving this to you either. He will help you through it but it's a breakdown of your myelin sheath that is between your artery and nerves in your brain. The best book out there on trigeminal neuralgia is called "Striking Back". It goes over EVERYTHING on TN from the best researchers and doctors in the world. It's on my "Resources" page or Amazon. Whatever you do, don't go to your dentist and get your teeth pulled!
What changed or got me out of the hospital? A good neurologist who happened to be my doctor in the hospital and has a history of patients who have TN. The previous neuro that I had seen prior to the hospital was not experienced enough with it. Around day 6 in the hospital, he changed the meds because what he gave me on day 1 was not working. What he gave me also works for trigeminal sufferers but not for me. Everyone responds differently. There is no cure to this. What helped me were-carbamazepine, gabapentin, and morphine. Also, prayer and lots of it. I was in non-stop prayer 24/7 and my family and friends were praying as well. Even members at my mom's church. I believe without a doubt in the power of prayer. In fact, when my friend came to the hospital, he and my wife prayed for me by placing their hands on my head. During the prayer, I felt something weird or an odd sensation go through my head. And my wife did too because after the prayer we both looked at each oddly and she said, "did you feel that"? Things did improve after all of the above.
Once out of the hospital, I still suffered but not as often but it was still difficult to do anything. See my blog story of an amazing neuroscientist who treated me, an Upper Cervical doctor whom I continue to see to this day, and CBD oil that I apply on days when the trigeminal nerve is bothering me, like a nerve ache. Two things seemed to come together at the same time when it all went away. One night, in my lowest of lows (in September) moment, where I simply had had enough and said, I can't live like this the rest of my life. I handed the problem over to God. I said this is your problem, do what you want with me, I am yours and I surrender it ALL to you. And also, the next day I visited the neuroscientist and after that, I have been attack free since. Everything I conquered in this fight of this horrible disease, was all in God's glory! I believe God healed me through touch/prayer and guiding me to consult the right doctors and prescribing the right drug.
I am 3+ years (it's now December 2019) and I'm hoping and praying I get to 4 years. It really is a day at a time. It's always on your mind of possibly striking you at any moment. It initially started with me in 2014 after going to the restroom at 3 am walking back to bed and BAM! Out of nowhere it hit me. I thought I was having a brain aneurysm or a had tumor in my brain. The knife in my eye was so horrible that I was amazed I could still see when it subsided. It went away with some meds and no doctor (even the neuro) diagnosed it then as TN. Then in 2016, I got the full KABOOM! I had just finished a bike ride and while eating dinner that night, it struck again. It got worse and worse and more frequent and thankfully my wife got me to the hospital. Others in my support group, all have different battles and stories, longer years suffering than me, and different meds and alternative things they are doing which are posted under "Resources" page. I'm blessed that I have no side effects from the meds and currently living a somewhat normal life and you can too. I think there will be a cure someday as they are working very hard on it. For some reason no one can explain, I can't workout anymore. If I do, my nerve will bother me for a few days. But if that is the trade-off to keep the beast away, I'll take it.
As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to create a website for others searching for help. There's Facebook groups but no real information I could find to help me right away. There is a lot of information on this website that has helped me and others in my support group. TN warriors all over the world contact me with their battle. You are no alone! If you want me to pray for you, I'd love to. Perhaps you just need someone to talk or email about your situation. If you need a doctor or want to join a support group which I highly recommend, it's on here. Even if you are pain free at the moment or not, I would LOVE to hear your story. Perhaps you had a surgery, I would like to hear how it's going and what type of surgery you had. We are in a unique rare family together in this fight until a cure is found. Please contact me via the "Contact" page.
See "Resources" page for tons of info, such as support groups or doctors where you live. Please read my blog page for more details on my journey.
God is with you. I couldn't imagine doing this alone, especially during those LONG LONG nights of pain.
What changed or got me out of the hospital? A good neurologist who happened to be my doctor in the hospital and has a history of patients who have TN. The previous neuro that I had seen prior to the hospital was not experienced enough with it. Around day 6 in the hospital, he changed the meds because what he gave me on day 1 was not working. What he gave me also works for trigeminal sufferers but not for me. Everyone responds differently. There is no cure to this. What helped me were-carbamazepine, gabapentin, and morphine. Also, prayer and lots of it. I was in non-stop prayer 24/7 and my family and friends were praying as well. Even members at my mom's church. I believe without a doubt in the power of prayer. In fact, when my friend came to the hospital, he and my wife prayed for me by placing their hands on my head. During the prayer, I felt something weird or an odd sensation go through my head. And my wife did too because after the prayer we both looked at each oddly and she said, "did you feel that"? Things did improve after all of the above.
Once out of the hospital, I still suffered but not as often but it was still difficult to do anything. See my blog story of an amazing neuroscientist who treated me, an Upper Cervical doctor whom I continue to see to this day, and CBD oil that I apply on days when the trigeminal nerve is bothering me, like a nerve ache. Two things seemed to come together at the same time when it all went away. One night, in my lowest of lows (in September) moment, where I simply had had enough and said, I can't live like this the rest of my life. I handed the problem over to God. I said this is your problem, do what you want with me, I am yours and I surrender it ALL to you. And also, the next day I visited the neuroscientist and after that, I have been attack free since. Everything I conquered in this fight of this horrible disease, was all in God's glory! I believe God healed me through touch/prayer and guiding me to consult the right doctors and prescribing the right drug.
I am 3+ years (it's now December 2019) and I'm hoping and praying I get to 4 years. It really is a day at a time. It's always on your mind of possibly striking you at any moment. It initially started with me in 2014 after going to the restroom at 3 am walking back to bed and BAM! Out of nowhere it hit me. I thought I was having a brain aneurysm or a had tumor in my brain. The knife in my eye was so horrible that I was amazed I could still see when it subsided. It went away with some meds and no doctor (even the neuro) diagnosed it then as TN. Then in 2016, I got the full KABOOM! I had just finished a bike ride and while eating dinner that night, it struck again. It got worse and worse and more frequent and thankfully my wife got me to the hospital. Others in my support group, all have different battles and stories, longer years suffering than me, and different meds and alternative things they are doing which are posted under "Resources" page. I'm blessed that I have no side effects from the meds and currently living a somewhat normal life and you can too. I think there will be a cure someday as they are working very hard on it. For some reason no one can explain, I can't workout anymore. If I do, my nerve will bother me for a few days. But if that is the trade-off to keep the beast away, I'll take it.
As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to create a website for others searching for help. There's Facebook groups but no real information I could find to help me right away. There is a lot of information on this website that has helped me and others in my support group. TN warriors all over the world contact me with their battle. You are no alone! If you want me to pray for you, I'd love to. Perhaps you just need someone to talk or email about your situation. If you need a doctor or want to join a support group which I highly recommend, it's on here. Even if you are pain free at the moment or not, I would LOVE to hear your story. Perhaps you had a surgery, I would like to hear how it's going and what type of surgery you had. We are in a unique rare family together in this fight until a cure is found. Please contact me via the "Contact" page.
See "Resources" page for tons of info, such as support groups or doctors where you live. Please read my blog page for more details on my journey.
God is with you. I couldn't imagine doing this alone, especially during those LONG LONG nights of pain.
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia? Trigeminal Neuralgia is a disorder of the 5th cranial nerve, which affects the face, eyes, nose, lips, teeth, gums, tongue, and scalp. Due to its painful symptoms and the general lack of knowledge about TN, it has become the focal point of myself and the Facial Pain Association. The goal is to spread the word and find a cure.
The biology or trigeminal neuralgia, the cause, diagnosis issues, and who is affected, click here- Learn more
The biology or trigeminal neuralgia, the cause, diagnosis issues, and who is affected, click here- Learn more
Need a support group? Click HERE
Need a Recommended Southern California Doctor? Contact me
Upper Cervical Chiropractor Doc Near You? Click HERE
Join Facial Pain Association
Please visit www.fpa-support.org for tons of great info or to look for a Doctor near you
Newsletters and more info- Go to the "Resources" Page"
Need a Recommended Southern California Doctor? Contact me
Upper Cervical Chiropractor Doc Near You? Click HERE
Join Facial Pain Association
Please visit www.fpa-support.org for tons of great info or to look for a Doctor near you
Newsletters and more info- Go to the "Resources" Page"
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I prayed this over and over in the hospital one entire night of no sleep as the attacks were relentless. The next day, things improved and I continue to pray it every day. "Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14
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