Mumbai (Maharashtra): Bollywood superstar Salman Khan offered a rare and candid insight into his health struggles on the premiere episode of Two Much With Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime. Joined by former co-star and close friend Aamir Khan, Salman spoke openly about living with a serious neurological condition and how it affected his daily life for several years.
Life with trigeminal neuralgia
Salman revealed that he had been suffering from trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a chronic nerve disorder that causes sudden, severe facial pain. Describing it as the “suicidal disease,” he explained how the pain would strike every four to five minutes, making even basic activities extremely difficult.
“You have to live with it. There are a lot of people surviving with bypass surgeries, heart conditions and much more. When I had trigeminal neuralgia, that pain was…you won’t want your biggest enemy to have it. I suffered it for seven-and-a-half years,” he said.
Salman shared that simple tasks like eating became challenging. “For an omelette, I couldn’t chew it, so I had to force myself, hurt myself and take as much pain, so I could get rid of a meal,” he recounted.
Pain management and misdiagnosis
Initially, Salman thought the condition was related to a dental issue and consumed around 750 mg of painkillers to manage the discomfort. He recalled how the pain sometimes worsened after consuming alcohol. It was only later that medical experts realised the issue was neurological in nature.
The actor also recounted a humorous yet painful incident from the sets of his 2007 film Partner. “Lara (Dutta) was there. She removed a strand of hair from my face, and I felt pain. I was like ‘Wow Lara, you’re electrifying! That’s when it started,'” Salman said.
Current health status
Salman assured viewers that his condition has improved significantly but revealed that he continues to deal with other health issues, including an aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation. His openness on the show provides an important perspective on the challenges of living with chronic pain conditions.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, trigeminal neuralgia affects the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve, which provides sensation and nerve signalling to parts of the face. TN is characterised by sudden attacks of intense facial pain, often triggered by minor actions like chewing, speaking, or touching the face.
Conclusion
Salman Khan’s heartfelt discussion on Two Much With Kajol & Twinkle sheds light on the hidden struggles of living with trigeminal neuralgia. By sharing his personal journey, the actor has highlighted the importance of awareness, timely diagnosis, and treatment for chronic pain disorders, while also inspiring fans with his resilience and perseverance.