sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Trigeminal neuralgia: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if facial pain occurs with:

    • A drooping face, arm weakness, speech difficulty, or other stroke signs
    • A sudden, extremely severe headache unlike your usual symptoms
    • Sudden loss of vision, collapse, confusion, or a seizure

    If you feel you may act on these thoughts, contact emergency services or a crisis service immediately.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Ask for prompt medical advice if you develop new persistent facial numbness, weakness, hearing changes, balance problems, or pain on both sides.

    Difficulty eating or drinking because of repeated attacks also needs timely help.

    Seek urgent same-day assessment for facial pain with a blistering rash near the eye, a red painful eye, or new vision changes.

    These symptoms may have a different cause that needs rapid treatment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical appointment if you develop repeated, shock-like facial pain, particularly when touch or chewing triggers it.

    You should also seek review if a diagnosed pain pattern changes, attacks become more frequent, or treatment is no longer controlling them.

The article also says

Severe, recurring pain can sometimes lead to hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Trigeminal neuralgia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.