Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. The main symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is sudden attacks of severe, sharp and shooting facial pain that last from a few seconds to about two minutes. The pain is often described as an excruciating sensation, similar to an electric shock. The attacks can be so severe that you are unable to do anything during them, and the pain can sometimes bring you to your knees. Trigeminal neuralgia usually only affects one side of your face. In rare cases it can affect both sides, although not at the same time.