Hi, please can anyone who has already had an MVD tell me if the pain relief
from TN is immediate, or does it take a while before you notice it?
Also looking online at people's scars they look quite big, about a 4inch curve
behind the ear. I was under the impression that they were quite small after
reading the hole they made in the skull was only the size of a penny. Can
someone more informed let me know.
As you can probably tell I am starting to realise how ill informed I am. These
are questions I didn't think to ask at my last appointment. I was so relieved
that they were hopefully going to rid me of this horrible pain my brain was
doing a happy dance instead of asking questions!
My pain relief was immediate. Other than the incision, the TN pain was gone and is still gone 8 months later. The incision itself is a solid 4 inches long but once your hair grows back, you won't notice it. The size of the hole is actually more like a quarter to half dollar but regardless, you won't even feel that after healing up.
Like colin04561, my pain relief was immediate, and I still have no pain 6 months later. No meds either. You'll likely have some difficulty hearing in one ear for 2 or 3 weeks, as if there is water in it, and you'll probably have some facial numbness that gradually goes away over a period of months. I can't recommend this procedure highly enough. Just make sure your surgeon has plenty of experience with this particular operation. Good luck!
Clint said is best: it is IMPERATIVE that you have someone with vast experience do this procedure. There are horror stories out there and nearly all of them stem from a well meaning but inexperienced neurosurgeon doing this procedure. You must find the most experienced person you can.
Hi Colin, thanks for your reply. I thought that was the case. I have my operation
tomorrow. I can't wait to be able to touch my face and it won't hurt. I think
after TN pain the incision pain should be easier to deal with. I'll let you
know!
Oh that's soon! Good luck, you'll be fine. The incision pain is nothing, believe me. That's not to say there won't be other pains, but if you have had TN for a while, not much really stands toe to toe with THAT kind of pain.
Hi, I agree that the pain from surgery is nothing compared to TN pain! The incision is much longer than I thought it would be but I want to raise awareness of TN so the scar will be a reminder of what I endured. Good luck, Mary
I cetainly hope to hear from you soon as to how the surgery went and how you are.