DEAR DR. GOTT: My mother-in-law has been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. There are many treatment options, but she would have to travel to another state for some of them. She is in her 90s, so travel is difficult for her. The headaches are severe and have landed her in the hospital in the past. There is a procedure using a gamma ray that we are considering but are unable to find statistics on a cure rate. What can you tell us about this and other treatment options that might be available for this condition?

DEAR READER: This condition, also referred to as tic douloureux, is a nerve disorder that originates from the trigeminal nerve at the base of the brain. The condition typically presents in older adults and may be part of the aging process, but it can affect people of any age. Women over the age of 50 are more prone than are men.
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