London Mum's Life Stolen by 'Suicide Disease' Leaves Her Housebound in Cold
A mother from Hackney, London, has revealed how a rare and agonising neurological condition has left her virtually imprisoned in her own home during cold weather, with doctors unable to offer effective treatment through the NHS.
Gabrielle De'Athe, 34, suffers from Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia (ATN), a disorder so painful it is often called the 'suicide disease'. The condition causes sudden, severe facial pain attacks that feel like being 'electrocuted and stabbed' repeatedly, triggered by even brief exposure to cold or wind.
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 dental visits and root canal treatments, her teeth were declared 'perfect', and the pain only intensified over time.
She recounted being 'fobbed off' by medical professionals for more than two years as her symptoms worsened, causing her to pass out from the severity of the attacks. It was not until May 2025 that she received a diagnosis of ATN, followed by a further diagnosis of Paroxysmal Hemicrania in November 2025, a debilitating one-sided headache.
Life Turned Upside Down
The combination of these conditions has left Gabrielle's pain unresponsive to medication, and she has been refused surgery in the UK as doctors believe it is unlikely to address both issues. The attacks, which can last for days, have forced her to quit her job as an aesthetician and become a 'recluse', particularly during winter months.
'I'm terrified of going outside, and during winter, I'm pretty much housebound,' Gabrielle said. 'The wind or cold touching my face for just two seconds can trigger an attack. It's taken over my life.'
Even everyday activities like brushing her teeth or eating can provoke the pain, severely impacting her quality of life. As a mother of two, including a son with autism requiring high-level care, she feels 'useless' and a burden, unable to be the parent she once was.
Hope Through Crowdfunding
With no viable treatment options available in the UK, Gabrielle has set up a GoFundMe page to raise £40,000 for complex facial surgery offered only in the United States. She hopes this procedure could 'give her life back' if successful.
Beyond her personal struggle, Gabrielle aims to raise awareness about chronic pain conditions and advocate for better treatment of sufferers in healthcare settings. She urges others in similar situations to 'keep fighting' against being overlooked by medical systems.
'People with chronic pain conditions should be treated like humans, not dismissed,' she emphasized, highlighting the stigma and challenges faced by those dependent on pain management.
