{"id":10108,"date":"2021-12-31T14:00:56","date_gmt":"2021-12-31T22:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/?p=10108"},"modified":"2022-01-03T00:17:20","modified_gmt":"2022-01-03T08:17:20","slug":"trigeminal-neuralgia-and-anxiety-gaba-tryptophan-st-johns-wort-acupuncture-dpa-gluten-herpes-and-lyme-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywomanover29.com\/blog\/trigeminal-neuralgia-and-anxiety-gaba-tryptophan-st-johns-wort-acupuncture-dpa-gluten-herpes-and-lyme-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Trigeminal neuralgia and anxiety: GABA, tryptophan, St. John\u2019s Wort, acupuncture, DPA, gluten, herpes and Lyme disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"trigeminal<\/p>\n

I get a surprisingly high number of questions about trigeminal neuralgia asking if there is a role for the amino acids GABA or tryptophan to help ease some of the nerve and associated face pain. It\u2019s surprising because trigeminal neuralgia is considered a rare neurological disorder.<\/p>\n

Nerve pain is not my area of expertise (anxiety is), and because anxiety and depression is common in this population, there are very likely similar underlying causes (more on that below). The targeted individual amino acids that we use for anxiety, also help to ease pain, so I\u2019m sharing some of what I know in case it helps you or a loved one.<\/p>\n

Read on to learn more about this condition and GABA, tryptophan, DPA, acupuncture, St. John\u2019s Wort, Lyme disease, herpes and B vitamins.<\/p>\n

About trigeminal neuralgia and the incidence<\/h2>\n

The NIH fact sheet<\/a>\u00a0defines trigeminal neuralgia (TN) as<\/p>\n

a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve, one of the most widely distributed nerves in the head. TN is a form of neuropathic pain (pain associated with nerve injury or nerve lesion.) The typical or “classic” form of the disorder (called “Type 1” or TN1) causes extreme, sporadic, sudden burning or shock-like facial pain that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to as long as two minutes per episode.\u00a0 These attacks can occur in quick succession, in volleys lasting as long as two hours.\u00a0 The \u201catypical\u201d form of the disorder (called “Type 2” or TN2), is characterized by constant aching, burning, stabbing pain of somewhat lower intensity than Type 1.\u00a0 Both forms of pain may occur in the same person, sometimes at the same time. The intensity of pain can be physically and mentally incapacitating.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The incidence of new cases is approximately 12 per 100,000 people per year and women are impacted more than men.<\/p>\n

A number of studies show anxiety, depression and insomnia are common when someone has trigeminal neuralgia. The question is this – is the pain causing the anxiety, depression and insomnia OR are there common underlying physiological causes for both. It’s likely a combination of both especially when it comes to idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia i.e. when there is no known cause. Known causes include head injury, multiple sclerosis, dental procedures, tumors and cysts.<\/p>\n

By using some of the approaches outlined below, we may see pain relief and improved mood, less severe anxiety and better sleep.<\/p>\n

When to consider GABA and serotonin support<\/h2>\n

There is no research on either GABA or tryptophan\/5-HTP helping with symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia, however medications that work on both GABA and serotonin<\/a> are typically prescribed for trigeminal nerve pain. For this reason I would consider a trial of GABA and\/or tryptophan (or 5-HTP if other low GABA physical anxiety symptoms and low serotonin worry-type anxiety symptoms are also present. You can find the symptoms list here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There is research-based and clinical evidence that GABA and serotonin support help with other types of pain:<\/p>\n