A bulging cervical vertebrae will show up on a xray or MRI. All the articles I read stated that it is not a common cause of TN.
aiculsamoth said:
Anyone considering MVD as a result of MRI or otherwise, could refer to basics TAB, and read cervicogenic TN, it may be of some help
saraiderin,
What do you mean by bulging cervical vertebrae? I would be interested to read the articles that state that it is not a common cause of TN. do you have any links?
saraiderin said:
A bulging cervical vertebrae will show up on a xray or MRI. All the articles I read stated that it is not a common cause of TN.
aiculsamoth said:Anyone considering MVD as a result of MRI or otherwise, could refer to basics TAB, and read cervicogenic TN, it may be of some help
Sorry to be blunt, but a reply/ statement such as this really cheeses me off (being polite), especially when you decline to back it up. Sure it has only been 20hrs, maybe you have gone on vacation? Where are the articles that state it is not a common cause of TN?
saraiderin said:
A bulging cervical vertebrae will show up on a xray or MRI. All the articles I read stated that it is not a common cause of TN.
aiculsamoth said:Anyone considering MVD as a result of MRI or otherwise, could refer to basics TAB, and read cervicogenic TN, it may be of some help
From a Radiologist,
"Essentially all imaging is 2D in the strictest sense as 3D reconstructions or volumes rarely add much to MRI (unlike with CT), except perhaps to save on scanning time. However images are acquired in at least 2 orthogonal planes so the reporter can visualise the images in 3D...
All that 4D adds is that you repeatedly scan in one plane or acquire a small volume at one anatomical site and see the appearance changes with time as you administer iv contrast - so, wash in and then wash out of contrast.
Clear as mud!
Thus in terms of TN or any similar conditions we could look at a plane orthogonal to a vessel or nerve and see it being narrowed/compressed by an adjacent structure."
So even with 4D with contrast, the vessel is noted with a possible change of flow due to it being in contact with the trigeminal nerve. It does not show that the vessel is compromising/ acting on the trigeminal nerve.
Lisa (iamrite) said:
I don't know this is absolutely correct. I had a 4D mri flow scan. They put an iv in and contrast dye is injected. It is incredibly accurate in noting compressions. I think it is helpful to know what procedure you had and what the strengths and weaknesses of it is.
aiculsamoth said:Dokie,
I am assuming your MRI was fairly standard for TN, as in it is in 2D. I hear so many people state on MRI Neuros say it shows a compression. They may well see a vessel but it does not mean it is compressing anything. Plenty of folk given an MRI without symptoms of TN would show a vascular component in the vicinity. Take a picture of me in front of the White House doesn't mean I am interacting in any way with the White House. I would ask what he means by an abnormal vessel.. Abnormal in the sense it can possibly be demonstrated in any number of non TN patients? I realise I am not being overly helpful but an MRI 2D means nothing. As in please don't stress but ask questions.
I had MVD a year ago, on April Fool’s Day!
I am 64, and suffered from TN for around 7 years.
After 2 other neurologists, the 3rd time was the charm. Meds didn’t help, so after a series of different trials, he referred me to an excellent neurosurgeon who performed the MVD as my MRI clearly showed a blood vessel wrapped around a nerve. As linreed said, each person reacts differently. My experience was wonderful. I had no pain from the moment I woke up from the surgery. To be able to stand in the shower or the rain or the wind without pain to some people is normal. To me, it’s a miracle! I hope you are able to get relief. Good luck!
Janet,
In answer to the $600,000 question please see http://www.livingwithtn.org/page/cervogenic-model , please donate $300,000 to charity and send the balance to account 50-37-11 65834789 :)
Janet McGee said:
Hi Cyndi,
It's hard having an invisible disease. People say, "But you don't look sick!" and you just want to have someone understand. Me, I would want a pity party, and there'd better be plenty of chocolate!
With TN, the question is not so much why does it go into remission, but rather, why does the nerve insist on sending only pain messages to the cerebellum? The truth is, there is no genuine assault to your physical well-being, so there should be no pain signals reaching your cerebellum. The $600,000 question with TN is why the TN bundle takes it upon itself to specialize in nociception (pain perception). When all is well with your nerves, they will send all sorts of messages to your brain: your relative location in space; what's the temperature; is that washcloth cold, hot, or just right? Is that a romantic kiss, or just a friendly peck on the cheek? Is that scarf nice and comfortably soft, or is it a scratchy woolen? With TN, the bundle of 150,000 nerves somehow convinces itself that it must tell you that there is an assault that threatens your physical well-being, and that assault is painful.
Pain is useful. It conveys information that your brain must obey in order for your body to avoid burns, bruises, contusions, bone breaks or other injuries. Pain tells your brain that there is something wrong with your physical state, and that you must slow down to take care of yourself. The pain of TN serves no meaningful purpose. Brushing your teeth eliminates food particles and plaque build-up; tooth brushing should not cause electrical jolts of pain. That high-pitched noise is music of the Baroque era, and it was intended to help you transcend into a prayerful mode of thought, not into a world of pain. Your mother just wanted to give you a kiss on the cheek so that you would know you were leaving her house with her love in your heart. Instead, you feel that there's a knife stabbing repeatedly into your eye. With TN, something goes terribly wrong with a specific part of your nervous system. To date, neuroscientists have not been able to figure out why the pain switch for the trigeminal nerve gets turned on and refuses to return to the "off" setting.
TN is vicious. I hope that the researchers are right in predicting that a cure will come out of the Facial Pain Research Foundation in 5 years. For many of you, I suspect that 5 years sounds like 6 years too many.
Cirrus52 said:Hello Sharon,
I hope your visit with the neurosurgeon this Thursday goes smoothly for you! I had an MRI years ago where the radiologist said that it looked like there was a blood vessel pressing on the nerve so based on my history and the outcome of that MRI, I was diagnosed with TN. The biggest question I have though--if a blood vessel is really pressing on the nerve, how come I don't have daily pain and have gone into remission for long stretches of time?
So far I have found that supplementing with Methyl B-12 1000 mcg 2 tabs per day (chewable) has kept my TN at bay quite well. Recently though, it kind of "woke up" (just a couple of stabs so far) and I think it was due to additional stress, so I am working on getting that stress back down. Called the neurologist to ask what I can do for breakthrough pain and she has prescribed Lyrica. I'm waiting to see if it goes back into remission again before I start the med.
This site is loaded with suggestions, from medications to surgery and everything in between. The biggest help? Knowing that others understand what you're going through and can relate. I'm certain you will find the right path for you and don't ever give up searching.
Best wishes and just know that a lot of people will be rooting for you from the sidelines!
Cyndi
Have had injections, ablations, MVD, Gamma Knife-and too many meds with horrible side effects to count. Now my Neuro is talking about a procedure that is done through the nose. Anyone ever heard of this one. I have heard of through the cheek--but not the nose. Need some help if any one has any info. I am bilateral and fighting for almost 20 yrs. Bless you all that travel this awful road. The next one who says" but you look fine, I'm sure you will be better soon" is going to get a knuckle sandwich. Only whose on this path understand the invisible pain and dumb remarks. Thank you for your support.
Please I would like to know also, I’ve had Gamma knife, MVD and everything, just started up again, in pain. I can’t figure out like someone said, why do you go in remission in summer but in winter you are deep in pain? If you have a nerve wrapped around a vein, why does it not pain you all the time. ? Just doesn’t make sense.
50-image.jpg (1.18 MB)
Please I would like to know also, I've had Gamma knife, MVD and everything, just started up again, in pain. I can't figure out like someone said, why do you go in remission in summer but in winter you are deep in pain? If you have a nerve wrapped around a vein, why does it not pain you all the time. ? Just doesn't make sense.
Hello Jay, may I ask you first how when and who diagnosed your TN to begin with? cheers NIkos
Jay said:
Please I would like to know also, I've had Gamma knife, MVD and everything, just started up again, in pain. I can't figure out like someone said, why do you go in remission in summer but in winter you are deep in pain? If you have a nerve wrapped around a vein, why does it not pain you all the time. ? Just doesn't make sense.
I was diagnosed in 2006. By a neurologist (can’t remember her name, been to so many). She said right off the bat, TN. I was lucky with that. I started studying on line that day and have been on many TN groups, etc. reading and hoping Not to have to do MVD, but finally did. 1 1/2 years ago. I did get relieve ( not instantly) for one year 2 mos. I always had to take trileptal though, but lowered dosage from 3-4 (600mg) tablets a day to 1 600mg a day. I have done everything before this surgery per the doctors I went to, but now I’ve been told, because I did gamma knife and doctor did not kill trimengial nerve, he burnt up nerves that are running crazy in my chin and jaw they can’t do the procedure where they insert alcohol in the nerve, I think is how it goes and that could kill the nerve or the pain. Something like that, it could go to my brain and kill me. I do not want to do MVD again. But Why if it didn’t do the trick the first time would it work now? Why did my mouth, teeth, burning in my cheek, wind hitting my face, brushing my teeth, eating spicy food, shocking, all go away and now it’s back? If he missed a place to put the Teflon pad, not continue to kill me? Just doesn’t make sense. The doctors, I believe just don’t know . So do you go do it all over again, have to heal all over again for 1 year relief? I’m not shocking yet, just can’t talk much again without serious pain, can’t eat (all on left side), can’t brush teeth, etc etc I’m praying and praying for an answer
Hello Jay, sorry to hear about your pain, I've been there, still taking Gabapertine than eases the pain. My TN was caused by a dental procedure. Surprised to hear that your TN is on the left side, if it is classic TN called T1 then it is usually on the right side, very rear on the left and more rear in both sides. I have a question for you; did you have any dental work done around the time that your TN started? and did the doctor tell you if you have classic TN(T1) or atypical TN(T2), this is very important.
hope you feel better....cheers Nick
Jay said:
I was diagnosed in 2006. By a neurologist (can't remember her name, been to so many). She said right off the bat, TN. I was lucky with that. I started studying on line that day and have been on many TN groups, etc. reading and hoping Not to have to do MVD, but finally did. 1 1/2 years ago. I did get relieve ( not instantly) for one year 2 mos. I always had to take trileptal though, but lowered dosage from 3-4 (600mg) tablets a day to 1 600mg a day. I have done everything before this surgery per the doctors I went to, but now I've been told, because I did gamma knife and doctor did not kill trimengial nerve, he burnt up nerves that are running crazy in my chin and jaw they can't do the procedure where they insert alcohol in the nerve, I think is how it goes and that could kill the nerve or the pain. Something like that, it could go to my brain and kill me. I do not want to do MVD again. But Why if it didn't do the trick the first time would it work now? Why did my mouth, teeth, burning in my cheek, wind hitting my face, brushing my teeth, eating spicy food, shocking, all go away and now it's back? If he missed a place to put the Teflon pad, not continue to kill me? Just doesn't make sense. The doctors, I believe just don't know . So do you go do it all over again, have to heal all over again for 1 year relief? I'm not shocking yet, just can't talk much again without serious pain, can't eat (all on left side), can't brush teeth, etc etc I'm praying and praying for an answer
Hello Sharon,
MRI cannot diagnose TN, it can rule out other problems like tumor and MS. TN diagnosis is based on patient's history and symptoms after everything else is ruled out. Is your TN classic(T1) or atypical(T2), your doctors should know that by now.
My TN(T2) was caused by a dental procedure, year and a half after the dentist diagnosed it as TMJ,Myofascial,VDO to name a few. I did the diagnosis myself and later my physician agreed after I responded right away to Gabapertine that ease my pane at 600mg a day. My question to you again is; did you have any dental procedure done around the time that your TN started?
wish you well, Nikos
TN diagnosis is based primarily on the person’s history and description of symptoms, along with results from physical and neurological examinations. Other disorders that cause facial pain should be ruled out before TN is diagnosed. Some disorders that cause facial pain include post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain following an outbreak of shingles), cluster headaches, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ, which causes pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement). Because of overlapping symptoms and the large number of conditions that can cause facial pain, obtaining a correct diagnosis is difficult, but finding the cause of the pain is important as the treatments for different types of pain may differ.
Most people with TN eventually will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to rule out a tumor or multiple sclerosis as the cause of their pain. This scan may or may not clearly show a blood vessel compressing the nerve. Special MRI imaging procedures can reveal the presence and severity of compression of the nerve by a blood vessel.
A diagnosis of classic trigeminal neuralgia may be supported by an individual’s positive response to a short course of an antiseizure medication. Diagnosis of TN2 is more complex and difficult, but tends to be supported by a positive response to low doses of tricyclic antidepressant medications (such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline), similar to other neuropathic pain diagnoses.
My mother had MVD surgery two years ago on her right side. I recommend you find someone who does a LOT of these surgeries even if you have to travel. We had to travel over 500 miles to find a doctor who was experienced with TN and MVD. Your neurosurgeon should also know what MVD won't work for, too.
My mom had a very obvious compression on the right that showed on a 3T MRI. Not all hospitals have an MRI that is as powerful as a 3T. The MRI has to be strong to give the detail needed for the neurosurgeon. If your doctor is using images from a 1.5T MRI you might want to get a second opinion from another doctor. My mom's surgeon explained every little detail to us about the MRI and why our local machines wouldn't work. It was actually way more information than Mom wanted but I teach science and was fascinated by it.
My mom's MVD seemed to be successful. As she weaned herself off of the Tegretol her right cheek had no pain at all BUT her LEFT side started hurting so she went back on the Tegretol. She didn't even know she had TN on her left side! She is taking 1200 mg of Tegretol and 20-30 mg of Baclofen every day now and is still having pain. We went back to Houston week before last so she could have another MRI from the "big" machine (3T). Sure enough, the neurosurgeon can easily see one place where the nerve is compressed. She's going to try the new medical regimen for 3 weeks and then decide whether or not to have MVD on her left side.
The surgery and recovery wasn't bad, by the way. Mom was admitted to the hospital on a Wednesday morning and had surgery before noon. By 2 pm she was out of recovery and in the neurosurgery intensive care. The next morning they moved her into a regular room and she was discharged on Friday afternoon. The surgeon was going to take her staples out 10 days after the surgery but she healed so well he did it on Day 7. We were allowed to drive home that day, too. Mom did have a complication from the surgery when we got home, however. She developed a blood clot in her jugular vein. Her doctor here at home put her on Eliquis and the clot dissolved in about 3 months with no problems.
I hope you have some luck with your quest. It's a terrible condition to have and I don't think anyone who doesn't have it truly understands how it changes your life. I would certainly be careful choosing a surgeon. There are a lot of neurosurgeons who have never done an MVD or only do a couple of them every year. I recommend finding a surgeon who is experienced in them and has done many of them in the past. I know it's tough changing doctors once you get started with them but remember it's YOUR head he/she is operating on. I wish you the best of luck with all of this.
Nikos, how long after the dental procedure did the TN show up? Was it immediate? MRI showed nothing on me. But it started with a tooth what had a root canal about 4 years previously. I don't think TN would have w
aited 4 yrs, but I wonder. So, I'm wondering how soon yours showed up and what dental procedure was it?
nikos said:
Hello Sharon,
MRI cannot diagnose TN, it can rule out other problems like tumor and MS. TN diagnosis is based on patient's history and symptoms after everything else is ruled out. Is your TN classic(T1) or atypical(T2), your doctors should know that by now.
My TN(T2) was caused by a dental procedure, year and a half after the dentist diagnosed it as TMJ,Myofascial,VDO to name a few. I did the diagnosis myself and later my physician agreed after I responded right away to Gabapertine that ease my pane at 600mg a day. My question to you again is; did you have any dental procedure done around the time that your TN started?
wish you well, Nikos
How is TN diagnosed?
TN diagnosis is based primarily on the person’s history and description of symptoms, along with results from physical and neurological examinations. Other disorders that cause facial pain should be ruled out before TN is diagnosed. Some disorders that cause facial pain include post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain following an outbreak of shingles), cluster headaches, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ, which causes pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement). Because of overlapping symptoms and the large number of conditions that can cause facial pain, obtaining a correct diagnosis is difficult, but finding the cause of the pain is important as the treatments for different types of pain may differ.
Most people with TN eventually will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to rule out a tumor or multiple sclerosis as the cause of their pain. This scan may or may not clearly show a blood vessel compressing the nerve. Special MRI imaging procedures can reveal the presence and severity of compression of the nerve by a blood vessel.
A diagnosis of classic trigeminal neuralgia may be supported by an individual’s positive response to a short course of an antiseizure medication. Diagnosis of TN2 is more complex and difficult, but tends to be supported by a positive response to low doses of tricyclic antidepressant medications (such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline), similar to other neuropathic pain diagnoses.
Hello Jimmy,
As I mentioned above MRI cannot really detect nerve damage/compression than will be the cause of TN. MRI really helps to rule out any other problems like tumor or MS and based on the symptoms and your health history using the process of elimination it can be diagnosed as TN. Now based on the problem that triggered it, it can be classified as Classic T1 or atypical T2. No one in my family had TN, never had TN or migraines, tumor, MS and since my pain started after the implant procedure it is therefore caused by the dental work. Mine started a year after the implants were placed, most likely the nerve was compressed overtime because the implants were very close to Inferior nerve the pressure and force by bad dentures caused the Trigeminal nerve compression and thus TN. If it was an injury of the nerve by the implant then the pain would have started right away. Is your TN on the same side with the extracted tooth? any other dental work after that? hope this helps....cheers Nikos
Yes, TN ts on the same side. I didn't have dental implants though. I had a root canal and a crown put on the same tooth where the TN first started. The dentist dried off the stub of that tooth with an air hose before placing the crown on it. I thought I was going to die the pain was so extremely intense. Tears rolled out of my eyes. I could tell he didn't expect that. But it was not till 4 years or so later the TN developed so I didn't think there was any relation. Whatever, its been so many years now it doesn't matter to me.
But ikos said:
Hello Jimmy,
As I mentioned above MRI cannot really detect nerve damage/compression than will be the cause of TN. MRI really helps to rule out any other problems like tumor or MS and based on the symptoms and your health history using the process of elimination it can be diagnosed as TN. Now based on the problem that triggered it, it can be classified as Classic T1 or atypical T2. No one in my family had TN, never had TN or migraines, tumor, MS and since my pain started after the implant procedure it is therefore caused by the dental work. Mine started a year after the implants were placed, most likely the nerve was compressed overtime because the implants were very close to Inferior nerve the pressure and force by bad dentures caused the Trigeminal nerve compression and thus TN. If it was an injury of the nerve by the implant then the pain would have started right away. Is your TN on the same side with the extracted tooth? any other dental work after that? hope this helps....cheers Nikos
Hello Jimmy,
Any type of dental work, such us root canals, injections, extractions, deep teeth cleaning, implants can cause TN. Are you still in lots of pain? is this your right side? do you feel more pain when chewing from that side? Don't forget that if the root canal goes deep enough then, when you put pressure on the tooth the physical force is transferred thru the bone with a result to compress the underline nerve, specially if the tooth is on the lower jaw. If you had not problems before the dental work I suspect that your TN was caused by the root canal... be well!
Jimmy Works said:
Yes, TN ts on the same side. I didn't have dental implants though. I had a root canal and a crown put on the same tooth where the TN first started. The dentist dried off the stub of that tooth with an air hose before placing the crown on it. I thought I was going to die the pain was so extremely intense. Tears rolled out of my eyes. I could tell he didn't expect that. But it was not till 4 years or so later the TN developed so I didn't think there was any relation. Whatever, its been so many years now it doesn't matter to me.But ikos said:
Hello Jimmy,
As I mentioned above MRI cannot really detect nerve damage/compression than will be the cause of TN. MRI really helps to rule out any other problems like tumor or MS and based on the symptoms and your health history using the process of elimination it can be diagnosed as TN. Now based on the problem that triggered it, it can be classified as Classic T1 or atypical T2. No one in my family had TN, never had TN or migraines, tumor, MS and since my pain started after the implant procedure it is therefore caused by the dental work. Mine started a year after the implants were placed, most likely the nerve was compressed overtime because the implants were very close to Inferior nerve the pressure and force by bad dentures caused the Trigeminal nerve compression and thus TN. If it was an injury of the nerve by the implant then the pain would have started right away. Is your TN on the same side with the extracted tooth? any other dental work after that? hope this helps....cheers Nikos
Yes, it was on the right side. Upper right. i never had any problem with chewing, or laughing, kissing, wind....none of the triggers you often hear about. It just came on when it wanted to with no rhyme or reason. I do feel like stress though is a trigger. The root canal I would estimate was about 1994, give or take a year. The TN started in 1998. And, it started in that very same tooth (to begin with). But later it moved to other areas. I'm not in a "lot" of pain now, no. The short version of my story is this: I was on 600mg Tegretol. Pain still broke through the 600mg. In 2000 I had a Gamma Knife. They said it would take 8 - 12 months to see if it would work. Gradually, the pain got less and less. In the 8th month started scaling down Tegretol. In 12 month I was off it and pain free. Was pain free for 9 yrs. When TN returned in latter '09, they did the Cyber Knife Feb 2010. That caused numbness and nerve damage in my face(right side), but over time it did help a lot. I still have neurapathy from the CK. I take Lyrica 2/day for that. One Elavil at bed time. The actual TN pain is occasional and its not anything I can't stand. Usually goes away in a few seconds or mins. In cold rainy weather I seem to do worse. But....still NOTHING like before the CK. That was so bad you couldn't live with it. I mean bad. Superbad. But now I live pretty much a normal life, I just put up with the neurapathy which feels like your lips feel when novacaine starts wearing off from dental work. Sometimes I use a cream from a compounding shop to help with that. Once in a while I get a quick electric shock thats gone in a second or two. But thats maybe once a month or two. So....to answer your question am I still in pain, I would say No....compared to before. But Yes still with a mild occasional pain.
nikos said:
Hello Jimmy,
Any type of dental work, such us root canals, injections, extractions, deep teeth cleaning, implants can cause TN. Are you still in lots of pain? is this your right side? do you feel more pain when chewing from that side? Don't forget that if the root canal goes deep enough then, when you put pressure on the tooth the physical force is transferred thru the bone with a result to compress the underline nerve, specially if the tooth is on the lower jaw. If you had not problems before the dental work I suspect that your TN was caused by the root canal... be well!
Jimmy Works said:
Yes, TN ts on the same side. I didn't have dental implants though. I had a root canal and a crown put on the same tooth where the TN first started. The dentist dried off the stub of that tooth with an air hose before placing the crown on it. I thought I was going to die the pain was so extremely intense. Tears rolled out of my eyes. I could tell he didn't expect that. But it was not till 4 years or so later the TN developed so I didn't think there was any relation. Whatever, its been so many years now it doesn't matter to me.But ikos said:
Hello Jimmy,
As I mentioned above MRI cannot really detect nerve damage/compression than will be the cause of TN. MRI really helps to rule out any other problems like tumor or MS and based on the symptoms and your health history using the process of elimination it can be diagnosed as TN. Now based on the problem that triggered it, it can be classified as Classic T1 or atypical T2. No one in my family had TN, never had TN or migraines, tumor, MS and since my pain started after the implant procedure it is therefore caused by the dental work. Mine started a year after the implants were placed, most likely the nerve was compressed overtime because the implants were very close to Inferior nerve the pressure and force by bad dentures caused the Trigeminal nerve compression and thus TN. If it was an injury of the nerve by the implant then the pain would have started right away. Is your TN on the same side with the extracted tooth? any other dental work after that? hope this helps....cheers Nikos
Hello, Jay. I'm sorry to read about all that you've endured. Unfortunately, MVD's do not work for the long haul. Your TN may return because the teflon pad moved, or because the nerve regenerated, or scar tissue developed around the teflon. TN is the only condition I've heard of that requires brain surgery for pain management. At the FPA conference in New York last month, Dr. Linskey said that, overall, 80% of MVD'S are successful the first time around, and the success rate for second MVD's is 67%. It pays to get a very experienced neurosurgeon to perform the MVD. You might want to get a consult with a neurosurgeon who offers a wide array of surgical options. It may be that MVD or an injection would not be the optimal choice for you. Are you willing to travel? Do you know of neurosurgeons in your area who are well-versed, not just in MVD's, but also with gamma and cyber-knife procedures, glycerol injections, rhizotomies. There are a lot of options. Dr. Linskey has pushed the MVD envelope and is able to get successful results where others have failed. He's in California, at UCLA.
If you have trouble getting insurance approval for going out of state for surgery, TNA has a link on their website to an article that gives instructions for what to do in this case, and an example of a letter that your neurologist could send to your insurance carrier.
Best of luck.
Janet
nikos said:
Hello Jay, sorry to hear about your pain, I've been there, still taking Gabapertine than eases the pain. My TN was caused by a dental procedure. Surprised to hear that your TN is on the left side, if it is classic TN called T1 then it is usually on the right side, very rear on the left and more rear in both sides. I have a question for you; did you have any dental work done around the time that your TN started? and did the doctor tell you if you have classic TN(T1) or atypical TN(T2), this is very important.
hope you feel better....cheers Nick
Jay said:I was diagnosed in 2006. By a neurologist (can't remember her name, been to so many). She said right off the bat, TN. I was lucky with that. I started studying on line that day and have been on many TN groups, etc. reading and hoping Not to have to do MVD, but finally did. 1 1/2 years ago. I did get relieve ( not instantly) for one year 2 mos. I always had to take trileptal though, but lowered dosage from 3-4 (600mg) tablets a day to 1 600mg a day. I have done everything before this surgery per the doctors I went to, but now I've been told, because I did gamma knife and doctor did not kill trimengial nerve, he burnt up nerves that are running crazy in my chin and jaw they can't do the procedure where they insert alcohol in the nerve, I think is how it goes and that could kill the nerve or the pain. Something like that, it could go to my brain and kill me. I do not want to do MVD again. But Why if it didn't do the trick the first time would it work now? Why did my mouth, teeth, burning in my cheek, wind hitting my face, brushing my teeth, eating spicy food, shocking, all go away and now it's back? If he missed a place to put the Teflon pad, not continue to kill me? Just doesn't make sense. The doctors, I believe just don't know . So do you go do it all over again, have to heal all over again for 1 year relief? I'm not shocking yet, just can't talk much again without serious pain, can't eat (all on left side), can't brush teeth, etc etc I'm praying and praying for an answer
