Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment Campaign

I'm a 30-year-old woman residing in Mpumalanga, and I want to share my journey with Trigeminal Neuralgia, a condition that has turned my life upside down.

Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, initially mistaking it for a mere toothache. However, the reality was far more excruciating. I began to experience intense pain, often described as electric shocks, on the left side of my face and within my mouth.

This diagnosis shattered my world as I knew it. I'm a teacher, and my job revolves around speaking, explaining, and assisting students. But Trigeminal Neuralgia left me in constant agony.

Unfortunately, there's no cure for this relentless disease, and my medical aid can't classify the medication I require as chronic because technically, there's no specific medication designed for this condition. To manage my pain, I rely on a combination of drugs: Nurika, Epanutin, Xefo Rapid, and DF 118.

Some days, the pain becomes so intense that I can't eat, drink, brush my teeth, or even touch my face without experiencing a level of discomfort I wouldn't wish upon anyone.

While brain surgery is an option for some, it's not viable for me at the moment. So, my only other recourse is radiation therapy to target the affected nerve, which is yet another significant expense.

I continue to go to work, pushing through the pain, and enduring it, even on days when I feel like giving up. The monthly cost of my medication alone exceeds R2000, and I'm struggling to make ends meet.

I humbly request your help in fighting this disease and spreading awareness about it. Trigeminal Neuralgia may not be visible, but I feel it every single day. Your support can make a profound difference in my life and help shed light on this often invisible but excruciating condition.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any assistance you can provide.

Sincerely,