Hi everyone, I had Gamma Knife radiation done 6 weeks ago and I’m still having pretty serious zaps ( that’s what I refer to my pain as). I’m wondering if anyone has experience with this procedure and how long it takes to work.
It's supposed to work within the first 3 months or so. I would think you would see relief by now though. I felt relief quickly. But I started having severe burning and it backfired on me causing TN2. I do hope you have a better experience.
They can repeat it within 6 months if you qualify for it to help with your pain.
It was better for a few days but then it came back. I’m so frustrated
So sorry to hear that. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have done cyberknife. It's different but seems to get better results. My neurosurgeon told me you can't do it after gamma knife though. Just leaves you with less options. I'm considering the Peripheral Nerve Stimulator. They don't do it in my state, Alabama, and I'm not sure it's covered but am seriously considering trying for it in Oregon.
I’m not familiar with cyberknife, I guess I thought they were the same thing. I was so hopeful that this procedure was going to make things so much better but now I’m not so sure. With those few days of zero pain I was elated! But then when it came back I was devestated. Of course my neurologist is on maternity leave, with whom I have a great relationship with so I cant see her right now. I had the gamma knife done in Boston with Dr. Wu but you cant really get a hold of him in regard to after care. So I’m just at a loss. I was supposed to start weaning off my medication at week 6 but not sure thats a good idea either.
What is the Peripheral Nerve Stimulator?
Dear Monkey's mom:
After my first gamma 4 years ago I didn't get relief for 3 months (called surgeon several times and pissed and moaned), then pain free for 8 months and then pain came back. I white knuckled it without those mind numbing pain meds for a year and then had another gamma 2 years ago this March. I was pain free the day of surgery and haven't had a twinge since (knock on wood). The second time they give you a dye that lights up were they lesionned the nerve the last time and they go further down the nerve for round 2...
Hoping yours kicks in soon and continues,
Mollycule
Apparently, it's a tad different Gamma uses, gamma rays, while cyberknife uses conventional radiation, no halo, no meds injected. It's completely painless. I was shocked too. Thought they were the same. If I could, I would have had cyberknife, not just because it may have worked better but thanks to Gamma Knife, I have occipital neuralgia from the halo screw cutting my occipital nerve and could have avoided that. Live and learn.
Monkey's Mom said:
I'm not familiar with cyberknife, I guess I thought they were the same thing. I was so hopeful that this procedure was going to make things so much better but now I'm not so sure. With those few days of zero pain I was elated! But then when it came back I was devestated. Of course my neurologist is on maternity leave, with whom I have a great relationship with so I cant see her right now. I had the gamma knife done in Boston with Dr. Wu but you cant really get a hold of him in regard to after care. So I'm just at a loss. I was supposed to start weaning off my medication at week 6 but not sure thats a good idea either.
What is the Peripheral Nerve Stimulator?