I had my surgery 2/3/2014
There were some issues in surgery apparently so my NS (via his PA) told me. Surgery took 3 and half hours as apposed to the 1 and half.
I was told 5-6 weeks recoup time at home before going back to work.
I’m still out and my follow up is this week. Btw my NS wrote me out of work til April 15.
I can’t sleep well. I had sodium issues because the swelling was so bad I couldn’t eat really didn’t want to anyway.
I thought I would be getting better…but there are more bad days than good.
I have headaches everyday and tonight this new swelling popped up I can’t even put my eyeglasses on without yelping in pain. And there is a new jolt coming dead center in front of my mouth.
I have a wonderful husband and 16 yr old son who have really been a godsend. I hid in the bathroom just crying wondering am I doomed to be in constant pain the test of my life and had this surgery thinking things would get better.
I don’t know what to do next.
Any advice out there??
I had surgery in 2013. It was unsuccessful and the pain returned within days. It got so bad I ended up not being able to talk or eat walk etc. my surgeon sent me back for a ballon decompression. This gave me total relief for 3months. Then it started to come back a little I’m now taking gabapentin but none of the other meds. It’s given me a years relief which I have loved talk to your surgeon if things aren’t working then you need answers. If you get no joy or are unhappy ask for a second opinion.
Hi Betty,
I’m sorry to read your post…unfortunately everyone reacts and recovers differently from MVD surgery…most MVD surgeries are 2.5-5 hours in length or longer…
Recovery times vary too. It can take up to a year to feel completely yourself after surgery.
My MVD was almost a year ago, my recovery time was more like 4.5 months ( I’m 41yrs old) although I woke up TN pain free, I had surgical pain ( neck pain, pain from the halo type thing they screwed to my head as well as actual pain from the surgery itself.)
I was able to wean off 2/3 meds and once I got down to 800mg Tegretol from 1600mg the TN pain was vicious. I added back 2 doses and at 1400mg Tegretol I enjoyed 4 months TN free. But I was very weak and so frustrated because others had recovered so much quicker than I etc etc…
So MVD didn’t take away my TN pain BUT it made my progressive med resistant TN more manageable.
Let your body be your guide, really listen and don’t be fooled by set in stone timelines because there are none!
Allow yourself the time to recover at YOUR body’s pace.
Any symptoms that concern you bring to your NS or doctor to address.
Many on here have had successful MVD surgeries and then some have not…but believe that yours will be a success and it can only help in your recovery process!
Don’t be too hard on yourself…( I really was) it’s not worth the negative energy !
I hope your recovery turns a positive corner soon!!
(( hugs )) Mimi
My first MVD took 7 1/2 hours, and as a result of all that happened I had a lot of the same issues you are dealing with. Remember you had a complicated surgery, and give yourself extra time to heal. Your comment about swelling, and headaches is concerning to me. Where do you have the swelling? Have you brought this up with your surgeon? If not please do. Sodium issues are common when ever the skull is drilled.
Thank u for all the comments. Update I ended up going to the ER my pain was so bad last night. Turns out some of the stitches were not completely removed and my ear had become infected. They did CT just to be sure there was not a leak or anything, that looked good.
I’m trying to not be hard on myself and not put myself on a time line. Just sometimes easier said than done.
Thanks again for the comments. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer.