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Care Opinion

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Posted By Tangerinetwirly

"Trigeminal Neuralgia"

About: General practices in Lanarkshire

(as a service user),

I was suffering with Trigeminal Neuralgia, an extremely painful condition. After having spent a week in a lot of pain not knowing what was wrong with me I had a horrific weekend. At one point I spent 4hours locked in my bathroom to shield my children from seeing me in so much agony. I got an emergency appointment with my GP  and he was amazing. He listened to me, immediately diagnosed what was wrong and talked me through a plan of action. Being sure to tell me not to panic if the first treatment didn't work as there were other options. He started me on carbamazepine and arranged to phone me a few days later to see how I was and discuss my dose. He continued to either phone me or see me every few days to see how my symptoms were and to up the dose of medication. I was completely pain free within 14 days. I was then able to come off the medication after two months, confident that I can restart meds immediately the condition flares up again. 

I cannot thank my Dr enough. His treatment was exemplary and the hope & support he gave me that I would be pain free made a massive difference. I am in a Facebook group for Trigeminal Neuralgia sufferers and I know that many people do not experience such wonderful care from their GP's. I count myself very lucky that I happened to see this Dr that day

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Responses

Response from Lesley Mallon, Risk Management Facilitator, University Hospital Hairmyres, NHS Lanarkshire 3 years ago
Lesley Mallon
Risk Management Facilitator, University Hospital Hairmyres,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 01/04/2021 at 11:15
Published on Care Opinion at 11:15

picture of Lesley Mallon

Dear Tangerinetwirly

Thank you so much for posting such positive feedback in relation to your GP on Care Opinion. From what you have written it is clear that your GP provided you with first class treatment and support to quickly diagnose your condition and relieve you of the painful symptoms you were experiencing.

It will be my pleasure to share your gratitude with the doctor concerned if you would be so kind as to provide me with the practice details.

I hope that your health is continuing to improve and may I take this opportunity to wish you well for the future.

Kind regards.

Lesley

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Tangerinetwirly (a service user)

Hi Lesley,

My GP is Dr Paterson at the Caledonia Medical Practice. He has been an excellent GP with anything I or my children have been to him with. But I will be forever grateful to him for the treatment he gave in this instance. When you are in incredible pain the words used and care given can make a huge difference to how you cope with that pain. And I know from many other sufferers of Trigeminal Neuralgia that there are few people who have had a GP who has been so competent at treating them and getting their symptoms under control so quickly.

Kind regards

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