Denise Drysdale makes surprising return to showbiz after suffering from ‘nightmare’ brain condition

TV legend Denise Drysdale, 74, returns to showbiz after suffering a ‘nightmare’ brain condition that left her in pain

Denise Drysdale returns to the spotlight after a long and chronic illness.

The TV legend, 74, has teamed up with musician Normie Rowe for a new show called The Two of Us.

The pair will take the stage in Melbourne and Geelong in June and July for a musical performance, with tickets priced at $49.

It comes after Denise revealed she suffered from shocking health issues related to the painful facial condition trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries searing pain to the face.

Denise Drysdale (pictured) returns to the spotlight after a long and chronic illness

Denise said Now to love last year that she felt better after dealing with the pain in 2021.

“It’s great to laugh again. I haven’t really laughed in over a year — my life had become a nightmare of agonizing pain and fear,” she told the publication.

The two-time Gold Logie winner said her debilitating condition left her crippled by deep depression.

“I was afraid the crippling pain would become my life. That I couldn’t go out, have fun with friends, smile, hug my grandchildren or go to work.’

In recent years, Denise has had a knee replacement, a detached retina, a blood clot in the leg, and a staph infection.

The TV legend, 74, will team up with musician Normie Rowe for a new show called The Two of Us

The TV legend, 74, will team up with musician Normie Rowe for a new show called The Two of Us

Denise went public with the condition in September 2021 during a segment on Studio Ten.

Showbiz reporter and Denise’s good friend Craig Bennett broke the news about the show.

“Why you haven’t seen her on the show for a while is for this reason: last week [Denise] was taken to hospital after suffering “unspeakable pain,” he said.

Craig recalled how Denise had told him the pain was the equivalent of being “struck by a bolt of lightning” or being touched with “a red-hot poker.”

“It turns out she suffers from a rare nerve disorder that affects the face, trigeminal neuralgia,” he explained.

Trigeminal is the name of the nerve that runs through the brain and spreads across the face. Neuralgia is, of course, nerve pain,” he added.

It comes after Denise revealed she suffered from shocking health issues related to the painful facial condition trigeminal neuralgia (TN)

It comes after Denise revealed she suffered from shocking health issues related to the painful facial condition trigeminal neuralgia (TN)

Craig said he was in regular contact with Denise, who is “slowly on the mend.”

“I know we all share in wishing our Denise Drysdale the speediest recovery,” he concluded.

“We need our normal dose of Ding Dong. We absolutely do,” he added, using her nickname.

Craig added that Denise was accompanied by her family at the hospital and the nurses were “in stitches” during her stay at the hospital.

Denise rose to fame with Hey Hey It’s Saturday and played in Studio 10 in recent years.

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain.

If you have trigeminal neuralgia, even mild stimulation of your face — such as by brushing your teeth or putting on makeup — can cause a jolt of excruciating pain.

You may initially experience short, mild attacks. But trigeminal neuralgia can progress and cause longer, more frequent bouts of searing pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia affects women more often than men, and it is more common in people over the age of 50.

Because of the variety of treatment options available, trigeminal neuralgia doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doomed to a life of pain.

Doctors can usually treat trigeminal neuralgia effectively with medications, injections, or surgery.

Source: Mayo clinic