My name is Frank, and I suffer from Trigeminal Neuralgia. I am 44 years old. I was misdiagnosed for years as suffering from severe migraines and this greatly affected my ability to work. Now the diagnosis is official.
The pain: imagine a bad migraine and then magnify it by 100. When I am in an attack, it feels like being struck by lightning hundreds of times. Anything can set off the pain, even a breeze on my face. I cut my beard the other day, and it took me hours because, with each cut, another episode would be triggered. I am on very heavy medications, including Lyrica (600 mg daily), oxcarbazepine (2500 mg daily), and baclofen (30 mg daily). These deplete my salt, and I fall often because of the lack of salt. I eat salt tablets like candy. I have fallen in public and have been found lying on the ground screaming in pain.
When I have an episode, I am left sitting on the floor, gripping a waste basket to catch drool and nasal fluid. The pain progresses until I am left screaming on the floor like a wounded animal. Sometimes I go hoarse but still scream.
Triggers can be any kind of touch, eating, falling asleep, anything. It is a living nightmare.
I have been unable to work and, as a result, have no insurance or income. I have applied for Social Security Disability Insurance. and have been waiting for help for a year now. I cannot even get Food Stamps! My 23-year-old son, who works at Walmart as a stocker, supports me. This means he has no life; His income barely stretches to pay rent, utilities, food, gas, my doctor bills, and medications. It is not unusual for there to be no food in the house.
I am asking for help in raising funds so I can get the operation I need to allow me to function as a member of society, working and being the son and father I need to be.