A mother from London has revealed how a rare and agonising medical condition, often referred to as the 'suicide disease', has left her virtually imprisoned in her own home during cold or windy weather. Gabrielle De'Athe, aged 34, endures sudden, severe facial pain that she describes as feeling like being 'electrocuted and stabbed' repeatedly, with even brief exposure to cold air triggering debilitating attacks.
Years of Misdiagnosis and Suffering
Gabrielle's ordeal began in January 2023 when she first experienced pain around her mouth and cheek, initially mistaking it for a tooth infection. Despite multiple visits to dentists and undergoing root canal treatments, she was informed her teeth were 'perfect', leaving the source of her agony unexplained. Over the following months, the pain intensified to the point where she would pass out, yet her GP allegedly dismissed her concerns for more than two years.
It was only in May 2025 that she received a diagnosis of Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia (ATN), a neurological disorder characterised by unpredictable, short bursts of facial pain caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve. Later, in November 2025, she was also diagnosed with Paroxysmal Hemicrania, a condition involving debilitating one-sided headaches around the eye, compounding her health challenges.
Life-Altering Impact and Treatment Struggles
The combination of these conditions has rendered Gabrielle's pain unresponsive to standard medication, and doctors have refused surgery, believing it unlikely to address both issues effectively. As a result, she has been forced to quit her job as an aesthetician, becoming housebound during winter months and describing herself as a 'recluse'. The attacks, which can last for days, are triggered by everyday activities such as brushing her teeth or eating, severely diminishing her quality of life.
Gabrielle, a mother of two from Hackney, London, shared her emotional struggle, stating, 'I'm terrified of going outside, and during winter months I'm pretty much housebound.' She added that the pain is so intense she would 'rather have 10 babies back to back than go through this,' highlighting the severity compared to childbirth. Her condition has also led to seizures from anti-epilepsy medication and forced her to rely on online shopping for basic necessities.
Fundraising for Hope and Awareness
In a bid to reclaim her life, Gabrielle has set up a GoFundMe page aiming to raise £40,000 for complex facial surgery available only in the United States. She hopes this procedure could 'give her life back' if successful. Beyond fundraising, she is determined to raise awareness about chronic pain conditions, urging others to 'keep fighting' against medical oversight and stigma.
She emphasised the need for better treatment of chronic pain sufferers in hospitals, noting, 'People with chronic pain conditions unfortunately do end up on opioids, and the reality is we do become dependent. It doesn't make us a 'druggy' but we live with excruciating pain and should be treated like humans.' Gabrielle's story serves as a poignant reminder of the hidden battles faced by those with rare illnesses and the urgent need for improved healthcare support and understanding.
