I had atypical TN for over 10 months. It was chronic and not stabbing. I would have rated the pain about 7. NOT fun. That is one pain I'd treat with steroids. I wouldn't want to do it again.
I got diagnosed with TN in January. It's the worst of my many neurological symptoms. Do you have secondary TN (caused by MS or some other neurological disorder) or TN as its own thing? By itself, it's way more than anyone should have to deal with. I hope it's not causing you problems at the moment.
Laura