I am new to this site. I have had GPN some 18 years, but it has become unbearable the last two, following an intubation during another surgery.
Recent contrast MRI/MRA finds geniculate and glossopharyngeal compressions. My understanding is that this is very, very rare.
Neurosurgeon proposes MVD of both, but suggests the GPN might have to be clipped. I am horrified at the prospect of swallowing problems as I already have problems in that area. Feedback would be appreciated.
Also, do you have recommendations for surgeons in the Atlanta area? I have talked to Pittsburgh and found them wonderful, but I am unable to travel that far.
Leah - I am do sorry for the pain you have experienced for SO LONG!
I only lived w/ it for about 4 years and that was enough for me. I do not know of docs in the Atlanta area, but if you can travel to Little Rock,
AR thereAR
It cut me off…sorry ! If you can travel to Little Rock, AR there is a wonderful surgeon here at St Vincent Infirmary named Ali Krisht. You may want to check him out and see what you think…
Best of luck and I pray you can find some relief… Caroline Finley
Dear Leah,sorry to hear that you have suffered with pain for such a long time.I have just had my glossopharyngeal nerve severed along with a couple rootlets of my 10 th cranial nerve in March 2014.I had suffered with gpn for 8 years along with trigeminal neuralgia of which I had Mvd at the same time.I have not had any swallowing problems with my surgery so far.I cant even tell that it has been clipped. It has been 5 weeks since surgery.I did sometimes have some problems with swallowing before my surgery also.The doctor that I went to is in St. Louis,Mo.He does not do MVD for the glossopharyngeal nerve at all and I am not sure about the geniculate nerve because I didnt have a problem with it.I was very concerned with having the nerve severed .I was fearful of swallowing problems,hearing problems,and numbness but I havent had any problems except my ear has become clogged with what seems like fluid about two weeks ago.