Hi everyone, well I had my operation 11 days ago and I'm doing great! I don't
know why I was so worried. When I came round the first thing I did was touch
my face and there was absolutely no pain at all. I managed the post operation
positional and slight headaches with paracetamol. I could have gone home
on day 3 but my balance wasn't as good but that is down to a different condition
I've got one slight numb patch over my eye, but that is expected to wear off. I was
eating and drinking normally again 4 hours post op, and really enjoyed a crunchy
apple for the first time in a long time with no pain!. My stitches came out yesterday
I'm still taking Carbamazepine but that is due to be weaned gradually over the
coming months because I'm on such a high dose. I'm getting an odd flash
here and there but certainly not on the scale and intensity that they were. In
fact it's little more than a niggle. I was told to expect that until everything settles
down. So, for anyone who is anxious or worried, like I was, you don't need to be.
I feel at long last that I've actually got my life back! I had my operation at the
Walton Centre in Liverpool
EXCELLENT news. It's always great to hear a success story. Before long, you won't even know you had the operation. All of the spots will grow back in and all you'll feel is the indent in your head if they left you with one (I have one).
Such wonderful news. I am so happy for you. Keeps us informed as to your continued progress.
Awesome news! Congratulations.
Wow! That's great news! Thrilled that the operation went really well. Did professor Eldridge do the op?
Paula x
Congratulations! Getting off those meds is almost better than getting rid of the pain. Over the next few months, your brain will return to "full strength". It almost feels like a superpower at first. LOL
Hi wavedancer
That is brilliant feedback - thank you so much for sharing it with us.
I've no idea if I shall eventually need an operation but your outcome is extremely encouraging. Magic news! Really happy for you and best wishes for a complete recovery! Colin ( I seem to have a rival writing to you! )
Yes, the big man himself. I knew I was in good hands!
I think you're right on that one Clint! I can't wait to be off them. It
seems crazy still being on them, but that's the last little bit to deal
with now, but even they don't seem to be making me feel as
dopey and zombie like as they did. Must be all the increased positivity
and lack of pain that's doing it!
Hi Colin, Thank you, and if you ever do need an MVD remember
my post and go for it!
Will do Joanne. I just can't believe I feel so well so quickly.
Yes you do. An American Colin named after the WWII bomber pilot Colin Kelly. I'm rather fond of the name!
Wavedance.....that has got to be an awesome feeling. You have given me hope and I imagine a lot of other folks on this forum have been given the same. 😊
Hello American Colin Good to hear from you. I thought that might trigger a response! Yes, I feel good about my name, too and even more so now I know something about Colin Purdie Kelly. A brief bit of research tells me we are both named after a very special guy. A DFC DSC with streets, schools and even ships named after him! Colin Powell fades into insignifance in comparison and he even has this strange pronunciation, too!
So what's your TN story? When you think of the hell our fathers and grandfathers went through in 2 WWs, we've got it easy!! Col from the UK
Colin Powell allowed himself to be called "colon" because he became tired of correcting the mispronunciation. Not this Colin. I always correct folks as I am proud of my name and rarely meet other Colins. I'm sure that Colin is an older UK name and it seems that most of the Colins I have met are British ( English, Irish or Scotch) but the Americans I meet with the name are always Collin. That double 'L' is a last name as far as my understanding goes.
As far as TN, diagnosed with right side TN about 5 years ago in my mid 30's, had a glycerol injection that didn't help, gamma knife worked for about 6 months, maybe less, and finally had an MVD in Jund of 2016. Pain free ever since. I was lucky because I had not one, but 2 arteries sitting on my nerve. OF course I'm being sarcastic, but I certianly hope that 2 of them does not bode a return of the pain in several years.
But I will always have my name no matter what happens TN-wise. Haha!
Rock On WaveDancer!
Very many congratulations to you (and your surgical team) for this wonderful outcome.
Just seen your posting as I've been out of touch a bit with work and then having my pre-admission session etc. I go in for MVD to Addenbrooke's Cambridge at 07:00hr on Thursday the 9th and hoping to have a good outcome like you. My man is Robert Macfarlane and I think he's done successful MVDs for a few people on this site before. I'm really looking forward to being pain free and eating and talking loudly at lectures and not having a brain full of cotton wool and not being exhausted with this high dose Carbamazepine and sleeping without detailed anxiety dreams and being sociable with friends etc etc........... Can't wait.
Your story has added to build up my confidence to go ahead with this as I've been a bit apprehensive lately. So, thank you WaveDancer for that.
Please keep in touch with your progress and I will do the same of course.
Keep safe
Cheers
Big D
Best wishes for Thursday the 9th - I know the hospital well!
I'll be thinking of you when I put the kettle on and get ready for my students!
Take care, Big D
Colin from Kent
Thank you for sharing your history of treatments leading up to a successful operation. No, your humour wasn't wasted on me! I'm really pleased to read that my namesake is pain-free and long may this be the case, my friend!
One often reads about subscribers experiences with one of these procedures but rarely the lot. That's most helpful and encouraging as you've had a good outcome with the MVD procedure.
It was also interesting to read why CP chose to alter the pronunciation of his name, it was clearly taken after some considerable deliberation and wasn't simply a 'gut' reaction. My joke!
I'll let you know how my medication works out and thanks again for sharing your stuff. Colin