Anyone with trigeminal neuralgia diagnosis prior to autoimmune diagnosis?

[LouSkel]

My daughter was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) aged 22. At the time she had an ANA of 640:1 but no specific antibodies. I have heard from a USA neurologist that scleroderma, sjogrens, RA, MCTD and lupus can attack the trigeminal nerve in the face cause this trigeminal neuralgia pain - especially in young patients but there is not much talk of it in the UK. I wonder if anyone has heard of this link and whether it is possible to have the TN symptoms before any other autoimmune symptoms appear?

Thanks in advance.

[LHermitte]

My TMJ was the symptom that prompted my neuro to do a spinal tap the next day. There were oliglonal bands in my spinal fluid, and that finding, plus symptoms and my MRI, clinched the diagnosis.

[BettysMom in reply to LHermitte]

TMJ is Temporomandibular Joint. Disorders of the TMJ are not associated with MS. Perhaps you mean TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia)?

[LHermitte in reply to BettysMom]

Thank you so much, @BettysMom! Yes, you're absolutely right; I meant "trigeminal neuralgia" 👍

[Mollyabigail]

I have not heard of that link, LouSkel. But I am still learning all this. Prayers for your daughter and for you are being lifted.