After 9 years of TN, my pain is gone. It's amazing, although recovery isn't fun. I would recommend this procedure to anyone with TN.
Wow! I'll look into it, Thankyou so much.
Such wonderful news. Enjoy being pain free at long last. You deserve it. 😊
That sounds amazing. Here's wishing you a complete recovery from the after effects! Well done you for being brave enough to have it, although I know you will say it's worth it. If I thought mine could be gone tomorrow I would feel like I had won the lottery ten times over. xx
WOW... its wonderfull news.. For in my case, doctor suggested not to do MVD. As doctor told me, need to continue with medicine.
The MVD will be suggested only if blood vessal presessing TN Vth nerve.
I'm glad to hear that your pain is gone. Did a specialist complete the procedure?
Yes, a neurosurgeon who has performed over 500 such procedures. I wouldn't want anyone but a specialist operating on my cranium.
I had MVD 2 weeks ago and the recovery really is awful! How long was your recovery period? I still feel some pressure in my head and I still have a some tongue pain although not as intense and not as often. I'm told it takes a while for the myelin sheath to regenerate. Was your pain relief instant? I'm so worried that I'm in the 15% that the procedure does not work for. Getting depressed about it.
The TN pain relief was instant. It's only been a few days for me, but I also have pressure in my head and poor hearing on that side. It's like there's fluid in my ear, but there isn't. The doctor said this could take about a month to go away.
I've read that TN pain relief isn't always immediate after MVD.
Ok, I'm glad to know the pressure is normal. I was told to expect headaches and dizziness so this pressure was a bit worrying for me. I'm glad for you that your relief was instant. Are you still on meds and weaning off them? Sorry for all the questions. It just such a relief talking to someone who's going through the exact same thing that I'm going through. If you just had it done a few days ago, I hope you're in bed and getting some rest!
I'm on Percoset and a muscle relaxer. I'm not worried about weaning off them...I'll keep taking them as prescribed until they're gone. My incision pain still flares up every few hours.
Hi, I had my op a couple of years ago, and unfortunately it hasn't been successful. I was pain free for about 2 weeks afterwards, which I was SO pleased and excited about, but then the pain crept back. However, despite that, my recovery was very quick and the only discomfort I'm left with is the area of my head where the plate is. it's still sensitive. I was back at work full time as a PA within 8 weeks (albeit on a massive dose of meds again!). Everyone is different, I was pain free to start with and then the pain came back, and there's every possibility that you will have the pain to start with and then it'll be gone. Stay strong and positive and let the people around you help you.
Thank you, Anna43144. It's early days for me so although it's getting me down that I haven't had complete relief, I can only hope and pray that it gets better over time.
I'm so sorry to hear it didn't work for you. My surgeon said that our Plan B if this doesn't work IS rhizotomy. Have you explored that?
All the very best to you with your recovery and pray that the pain stays away for you.
Good Luck and rest to ensure a full recovery.
Thank you, paul49262. I'm taking it slow and praying for the best!
That is so great....please keep us posted with details of your recovery. I a waiting to hear if I'm a candidate for MVD
It's going well. Pain isn't really a factor. My equilibrium is a little off and my hearing isn't 100% yet. My neurosurgeon says it takes about a month for those things to return to normal. I'm returning to work tomorrow, after only missing 10 days. I'm only 44, but I can see how it would be a much more difficult recovery had I been in my 60s or 70s.
I e pe t to hear tomorrow whether or not I am a candidate for MVD. I am 67 years of age so having the surgery is now or never. I had a reaction to carbamazepine. At the same time I had difficulty chewing and swallowing. I am now on prednisone for s few more days, off the carbamazepine, weaning off the gabapentin over the next 3 days, going on lyrics with microphone to help me with the transition and for the pain if the lyrics does not work. I am also seeing s neurosurgeon in London On next week. So in the next two weeks I should know what direction I am going in. I have only had this horrible problem for 11 weeks but so far it is winning...the drugs don not seem to work for me...please give me as much info as possible about the MVD and your recovery.
You can look up videos for "Microvascular Decompression Surgery" that show the prodecure very well. Simply put, a opening is drilled into your skull, and padding is placed between an offending artery (the cause of the pain) and the trigeminal nerve. I spent 2 days in the hospital. From the moment I came out of surgery, I've been TN free with no TN meds. The surgery was 2 weeks ago tomorrow, and I'm already back at work, driving, etc. If your doctor says you are a candidate after viewing your MRI results, I highly recommend having it done. TN lowers your quality of life in so many ways.