Hello. I'm new to the site. I've had TN for 3 1/2 years. I went to see Dr. Kim Burchiel in Portland, Oregon at OHSU. He did an MRI but couldn't find any compressions on the nerve. On 9/12/12 he went in on the left side of my face and roughed up the nerve in the hopes that would stop the pain. It did but that side of my face was left numb. After the surgery, I experienced double vision at times and my left ear feels full and lots of pressure. I spoke with his office and they said that my ear problem was normal, it was due to the saline solution they use during surgery getting into my ear and irritating the nerve. They said it would go away on its own.
Well, it's been 5 weeks and I'm still having ear discomfort. I can hardly sleep because it's so uncomfortable. I've tried over-the-counter sleep aids to no avail. I called the doctor's office yesterday to see if they would call me in something to help me sleep but they won't.
My question is...has anyone else heard of having ear problems after surgery? Does it go away on its own? I feel like my recovery is stalled because it's not getting any better.
hi sahmiam, so lovely to have you on the site. you will find people are so helpful, and are always ready to support you.... hope you find it useful. i was interested in your page. i am waiting to go into hospital to have a MVD, i am hoping for great things..... I see this operation as the one thing that is going to take this terrible pain away. i cant even think of life going on like this forever. i am not really sure what you had done, but it doesn't sound like it was not completely successful.
so sorry you are still in pain. thinking of you. keep well anne
I went to my local doctor yesterday. She looked in my ear and saw a lot of fluid behind my ear drum, like people can get from swimming sometimes. She prescribed me something to sleep, thank goodness, and some ear drops for the pain. They do help take the edge off. She said unfortunately it can take several months for the fluid to drain and my ear to get feeling normal. It's just going to take time.
When I had an MRI done, the neurosurgeon couldn't find any arteries against the nerve. But he said what he could do is go in to the trigeminal nerve and rough it up, or cut sections in it with the idea that it would get rid of the pain. And it has. I don't know the official name of the procedure. I had it done 9/12/12.
I had my MVD three weeks ago, it was done on my right side and I am still having issues with Fluid in my ear, I was totally deaf for two weeks. The neurosurgeon said that I was either allergic to the wax they used for the probe in my ear or the soap they used to get rid of the wax.
I am going back to my ENT tommorrow, i was on steriods for 7 days and that cleared some of it up, but I still only have partial hearing. They told me I would have to wait to take steriods again, because it lowers the imune system and may cause an infection in the surgical site.
It does suck having this and I know how you feel, I am sick of being hard of hearing and hearing this crackling noise in my ear, and if feels like someone has punched me in the ear every once in a while...you are not alone with this.
I would see an ENT if I were you, that has been helping me, and hopefully will continue to
I can't say I've had any personal experience but my neurosurgeon told me this is a possible complication from MVD surgery. I was also told it typically goes away on its own. I hope that gives you some peace that it's consistent information.
I had Glycerin Rhizotomy about 2 weeks ago. I am still swollen, numb and my eyes stay very dry. The most annoying is the numbness: my forehead, left eye, check and left side of my mouth. I know I have to be patient. No pai so far.
I felt like I had a weird feeling like liquid was in my ear. Over time cleared up 98%. Your dr should be more helpful & understanding. Everyone on this site is so helpful & supportive.
I have my 2nd MVD scheduled for 11/15 & hope it works like a charm!, or just works!
I am waiting for the call to go into hospital to have my MVD done, in September I was in terrible pain I would have run into the operating theatre, but at the moment I am on so much medication that I have no pain and am 're-thinking the operation…I know it will come back though (the pain) but I am scared of op too. So confused as too what to do… what do you all think? Hope you are all having a pain free day. Anne
No it hasn't affected my sleep at all, just more annoying. It doesn't feel like it's full of cotton anymore, but just plugged. Still hard to hear on that side, but it is getting better. I have to keep reminding myself I had a MAJOR surgery and am only 2 weeks post op. They told me to expect it and that it would take a while to get back to normal. No TN pain though!!
sahmiam said:
Is it effecting your sleep at all? Have you found anything that helps for it?
Mandie said:
It feels that my ear and left side are full of cotton. I had MVD on Oct 18th. I was warned about this before surgery and told it will take time.
Hi Anne- This is Christine Larson from Carmel IN. How are you coping on the medication? How are you functioning? Only you and your loved ones can answer that question. Fear is what is driving me and what drove me to a surgeon yesterday. If he would do the surgery tomorrow I would do it. He doesn't feel as though my breakthrough pain is indicative of classic TN. He along with my neurologist want to proceed cautiously with medicinal routine and go from there. I personally am not fearful of the surgery. Make your best decision for you and you alone!
anne morris said:
I am waiting for the call to go into hospital to have my MVD done, in September I was in terrible pain I would have run into the operating theatre, but at the moment I am on so much medication that I have no pain and am 're-thinking the operation......I know it will come back though (the pain) but I am scared of op too. So confused as too what to do... what do you all think? Hope you are all having a pain free day. Anne
What surgery did you have? My entire left side is numb including ear pressure and pain. Wonder what caused both of our issues?
Look forward to keeping in touch with you,
Christine
My neurosurgeon did an MRI and couldn't find any compressions on the trigeminal nerve. I don't know what the name of the procedure I had was but he went in on my left side and made some cuts in the nerve...roughing it up is the term he uses...with the idea that it would get rid of my TN pain. It did but it left the left side of my face numb. I went to an ear, nose and throat doctor yesterday and he suctioned out the fluid that he saw in my ear. I did some research on the internet about the ear problem and some people found relief by taking steroids for a week. So I mentioned that to him and he gave me a script for it...he said it wouldn't hurt any. I don't know how long you've been dealing with your ear problem but I would suggest seeing an ENT. When did you have your surgery??
Christine P. said:
What surgery did you have? My entire left side is numb including ear pressure and pain. Wonder what caused both of our issues? Look forward to keeping in touch with you, Christine
I took the z-pac 7 day steroids for my ear pain/fluid in the ears. It took a few days but then I got a ton of relief from them. I also have been using an anti-histamine spray, nasonex, and that helps dry up the fluid in the ears as well. If you continue to have blockages or fluid in the ear, I would ask my doctor for an anti-histamine as well
Dear sahmiam, was very interested in your comment, saw my specialist yesterday, had results of MRI which like yours was inconclusive, he couldn’t see any obvious nerve/blood vessel touching… I was disappointed, I am still having operation before Xmas… I don’t know? I think sometimes we get so desperate we will try anything, do anything, I hate this deal we have been dealt, very depressed today, no pain yet though… love to all Anne