Hi folks just wanted to add a little possitive Blog
I truly do wish all pain free & stress free days ahead.When the road looks dismal and never ending Keep your Hope and Faith alive.I can sympathize with ALL on this website as to having the pain & stress of everyday living with TN PAIN.Ther is help out there in many different ways to this dreadful disorder.I urge you all to educate and research the best you can in all aspecs of Trigeminal Neuralgia.From writing a daily diary of times and instances of your attacks this will help either yourself or physicians in the future.Educate yourself on medications what to do and not do.Search out all aspects of this disorder.Ther is alot of information on the internet.
I myself because of the fog from the Tegretol could not research or look things up I couldnt keep focussed or remember things.Thank god my wife supported me thru all this and researched & researched everything.We felt very informed not only from technical issues but from people sharing their experiences to make the right decisions when necessary.
My first bought of pain was June 25th middle of the night.I thought I had a abcessed tooth 3 days later & tylenol + peniciln my pain was not any better but very much worse.Seen a ermeg doc who thankfully diagnosed me with TN and perscribed Tegretol.Start taking 200 mg a day which in a matter of a week or two was 2000mg a day to which this stopped my pain.Could only drive certain days.....the days when the tegretol was released slowly into my system those other foggy days I basically stayed in bed.The next 4 months the "TEG" managed my pain.Seen a neurologist in this time who labelled me as having Atypical to which he could not help other then percsibe me more meds (athrotec,frova and cymbalta) took a bad reaction to Cymbalta and stopped taking it.2 MRI's were ordered which both came back not showing anything (Normal)Neuro refered me to Neuro surgeon.Seen surgeon and signed consent to have MVD surgery.Personaly MVD was best solution for anticipated long time relief.I had my MVD surgery Jan 19 2010.It is now July 12 2010.I am still pain & med free.Surgeon found a large blood vessel constricting my Trigeminal Nerve corrected this with Teflon padding inspected for more problems to which none were found.I stayed 5 days in hospital.I would have been sent home after the 2nd day but I had a CSF leak to which from our research new alot about.2 days confined to bed with tights on my legs to prevent clotting and blood thinners injected daily.They also whiened me down off the Tegretol 200mg a day until I was not taking anymore.
Just want to say this is only my experience and that we all experience this dreadful disorder in so many different ways.And that what has worked for me may not work for you.
I am very fortunate to have the outcome that i did have and can only pray this does not return.My life was put upside down for only a handful of months.I know there are alot that have endured this for a very long time.My hat is off to you and I can only wish sucess and well being for ALL.I commend all members of Living with Trigeminal Neuralgia with out the support and guidance with information it makes things alot easier.
May you all have the information to make the correct decisions
I wish you all many pain free days :)
Brian
