Relieve Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain at Night with These Sleep Positions

How to Find Relief from Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain While Sleeping

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. This condition causes extreme pain along one or more of the nerve’s branches which run to your forehead, cheek, and jaw. The searing facial pain is often described as electric shock-like or stabbing. Trigeminal neuralgia can disrupt your sleep and leave you exhausted. Discovering sleeping positions that ease your neuropathic facial pain can help improve your rest and daily functioning.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Causes

Pressure on the trigeminal nerve from a blood vessel or tumor is the most common cause of trigeminal neuralgia. Other factors that may damage the nerve include:

• Multiple sclerosis - Nerve damage occurs from MS lesions.
• Aging - Wear and tear compresses the nerve.
• Trauma - Injuries from accidents, surgery, strokes.
• Infection - Viruses can injure nerve fibers.
• Genetics - Runs in families in some cases.

Women are more likely to develop trigeminal neuralgia than men. Most people are over 50 when symptoms begin, but it can occur at any age.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Sleep Challenges

The extreme stabbing facial pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia can make falling asleep and staying asleep very difficult. Reasons this condition interferes with sleep include:

• Pain flaring up when your head touches the pillow.
• Waking up due to pain triggered by moving your jaw during sleep.
• Painful spasms when cold air or water contacts your face in bed.
• Difficulty finding a comfortable position for your head.
• Stress and anxiety about when the next attack of pain will strike.

Lack of restorative sleep exacerbates pain and emotional distress the next day. Identifying sleeping positions that reduce pressure on your trigeminal nerve can help increase rest.

Sleeping Positions to Relieve Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain

Experiment with these sleep positions to determine which ones ease your neuropathic facial pain at night:

Back Sleeping

Lying on your back can take pressure off irritated trigeminal nerve branches leading to your forehead, cheek, and jaw. Place a soft cervical pillow under your neck to align your head, neck, and spine. Use pillows under your knees to prevent low back strain. This allows your face muscles to relax into the mattress.

Inclined Bed

Elevating the head of your bed 30-60 degrees reduces pressure on your face and helps dissipate pain. Adding pillows can enhance support further. Use a foam wedge or bed risers to incline the frame. Let gravity gently pull tension away from your trigeminal nerve.

Side Sleeping

Sleeping on the unaffected side of your face may calm trigeminal nerve pain on the other side. Use a firm pillow between your knees and a soft one to cradle your head. A contoured cervical memory foam pillow can align your neck. Avoid sleeping on the painful side of your face.

Recliner

Resting in a reclining chair allows you to elevate your head and take pressure off your trigeminal nerve. Adjust the lever to find the most comfortable incline. Place pillows for extra support. Reclining with your head and neck well-aligned may provide pain relief.

Propped Up

Using multiple pillows to prop your head and shoulders upright can alleviate facial pressure. Stack 2-3 firm pillows against the headboard and lie back on them. Adding a knee pillow prevents sliding down. The elevated head position reduces strain on painful trigeminal nerve branches.

Other Ways to Reduce Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain at Night

In addition to sleep position adjustments, the following tips can also help ease nighttime facial pain:

Take Medications

Time pain medications to be at peak effect during your sleep hours. Long acting medications may work best for nighttime pain relief. Talk to your doctor about optimal medication timing and types.

Apply Heat

A warm compress, heating pad, or warm wet towel may calm trigeminal nerve pain by increasing blood flow and relaxing muscles. Apply for 10-15 minutes before bedtime.

Try Cold Therapy

Using an ice pack wrapped in a towel can sometimes reduce intense flare ups of facial pain. Apply to trigger points for 10 minutes at a time.

Use Moist Heat

A moist heating pad releases steam to ease trigeminal pain. Set it to low steam mode and use for 15 minutes before sleeping to encourage relaxation.

Practice Relaxation Techniques

Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, meditation before bed can deactivate your body’s fight or flight response to pain. This facilitates sleep.

Limit Sensory Triggers

Eliminate potential sensory stimuli like drafts, loud noises, bright lights, and odors that may activate your trigeminal nerve.

Avoid Sleep Restriction

Stick to a regular sleep schedule instead of limiting time in bed due to pain. This prevents sleep deprivation from worsening pain sensitivity.

When to Seek Medical Treatment

Consult your doctor promptly if self-care isn’t adequately controlling your trigeminal neuralgia pain. The following medical treatments may be options:

Medications

Anticonvulsant or anti-seizure drugs like carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine are often prescribed first. Tricyclic antidepressants may also provide relief.

Surgery

Procedures like microvascular decompression can remove blood vessels pressing on the trigeminal nerve. Other operations sever nerve pathways transmitting pain signals.

Injections

Injections of anesthetics, steroids, botox, or glycerol can block pain signal transmission. Effects typically last a few months.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Heat applied to the trigeminal ganglion destroys nerve fibers carrying pain. Pain relief can last 6 months or longer.

Peripheral Stimulation

Electrodes implanted under the skin send impulses to the trigeminal nerve to try and interrupt pain signal transmission.

Finding sleeping positions that reduce painful pressure on your trigeminal nerve, along with medical treatments, can help you finally get the restorative rest you need to manage trigeminal neuralgia.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.