How Mary Lou Found Relief From Facial Pain Through Surgery

The sudden stabbing sensation left Mary Lou Peterson screaming in sheer agony.

It was the first of many of what became unpredictable episodes of searing facial pain triggered by the littlest thing, like brushing her hair.

The Minneapolis woman, then 57, would learn she had trigeminal neuralgia (TGN), a rare nerve disorder that disrupts every aspect of your life.

But because it can’t be seen and often mimics other facial pain disorders, it would take Mary Lou 10 years to find relief.

Two things saved her: One was involvement in a self-help group called the Facial Pain Association. The other was an M Health Fairview and University of Minnesota vascular neurosurgeon.