I am in western NC and I see a neurologist in Hickory, NC.
I've been seeing him since my diagnosis in January of 2010 but I don't feel all that can be done is being done, so I am looking for a second opinion.
Does anyone live in this area (or eastern TN or upper SC) that can suggest a good neurologist with TN experience??
Hi, Kia — The TN association can direct you to professionals in your area. Their website is: www.endthepain.org Plus, they have members who have gone through procedures and are willing to chat about it over the phone or eMail correspondence.
There is a TN Pain Association with an option to find a person that specializes in this near you: http://www.endthepain.org/find-help/. This is how I found out that the teaching hospital an hour away has a premier research center for TN with one of the Board Members from the Pain Association being a doctor there. I would give that a try.
LOL, I did not even read the response LyndaS!!! Should have read.
I like the TNA's doctor finder by state: http://www.fpa-support.org/providers/ByState.php
Looks like endthepain.org just links you to the TNA/FPA site that I linked to, so it's all the same.
My 80 year-old mom had MVD in Charlotte on 11/8. Complete success - her neurologist is Dr Andrea Diedrich, and her neurosurgeon was Dr Anthony Asher. Dr Deidrich did not recommend the MVD at her age, but after 3 rhizotomy procedures, the meds weren't working so well, and she was desperate. I felt she was in good hands with Dr Asher. She had some post-op pain and was fearful it was still TN, but it was incisional pain and possibly phantom pain. We learned not to stop the neuro-meds cold-turkey also. Thankfully, she is pain-free and getting used to the permanent numbness, but no paralysis. This has been life-changing for the entire family. I can only offer my observations as a daughter, not a patient. I pray you have as good results as my mom.
I am seeing a Dr. Deshmukh next week who is in the same office as Dr. Asher. Did you have any dealings with him? Do you know how many MVD's Dr. Asher has performed? Where was your mother's pain? Mine is 3rd branch only, under bottom teeth. Thanks for any info. So tired of pain!