The man had suffered from trigeminal neuralgia for many years and the standard pain-killing drugs had become increasingly ineffective. Trigeminal neuralgia is a rare condition – victims suffer excruciating spasms of pain in one side of the face. They say it is like a massive electric shock or having a red hot knife pushed into their face. In the past, before effective treatment became available, it was well-recognized that some people who suffered from it would commit suicide because of the pain.
