'Taser'-like face pain leads P.E.I. woman to neurosurgery

Severe 'Taser'-like facial pain attacks are leading a 28-year-old Charlottetown woman to Winnipeg for neurosurgery.

Ashley Mcgregor suffers from a rare, progressive, chronic pain disorder called trigeminal neuralgia, which affects the nerves in the face that directly attach to the brain.

It is sometimes called the "suicide disease" because of the severity of the episodes.

Her symptoms began three years ago.

"It felt like a Taser on your face and occasionally water dripping down your face or spiders," said Mcgregor.

And while Mcgregor takes several drugs for the condition — muscle relaxants, nerve, anti-seizure and anxiety medications — they aren't as effective as they used to be.

Mcgregor is hoping that if the operation is successful, she won't have to take the large doses of pain medication anymore.

I'm tired of feeling defeated. I can't do it anymore.- Ashley Mcgregor

The operation carries some risks, but Macgregor says she can't deal with the pain any more.

"Every day is another day of heartbreak, and it's really hard because people don't realize that when you're fighting pain, your whole body hurts afterwards," said Mcgregor.

"You're tired, you're exhausted and you feel defeated because it happens so often. I'm tired of feeling defeated. I'm tired of it. I can't do it anymore."

Mcgregor's mother Deanie Smith will accompany her daughter to Winnipeg.

"I know she's 28, but I still want to take her pain away, so it's really difficult to see her because she has to deal with this pain all the time," said Smith.

"I support her as much as I can because she is my one and only baby."

While Health PEI will pay for the operation and accommodations, Mcgregor says she had to start a crowdsourcing GoFundMe campaign to help cover other costs.              

She says she'll need money during her recovery to help with food, medication and rent.