I have a neurosurgeon appt tomorrow and im so very anxious! I had shingles in my face 3 1/2 yrs ago which left damaged nerves but my MRI showed microvascular compression… Im not sure if I should ask lots of questions or just show up and listen? Should i ask for more testings or just see what neurosurgeon suggests? Anxiously waiting!!
Request an MRI Orbit of the Brain and Face. I had it done at Mayo Clinic in MN and it showed a loop in my brain squeezing the blood vessels causing TN pain. They suggested I not have any surgery because the effect is short term. Good luck tomorrow. Keep us posted.
Hi Michelle
I just wanted to wish you luck 
I have a neurosurgeon apt next month, I hope that I will then be accepted for surgery.
I would write down your triggers, current/historic medications and how your tn seems to be (eg remission, worsening, controlled by … ) remember, they also need to learn He/She my advise you of your choices and possible outcome, what is possible and whether another procedure may be necessary at a later date.
Once again, good luck x
Okay I will ask… Thank you
Juno I hadnt thought about writing down triggers! Good idea Thanks
Well no surgery! Apparently when you had shingles in your face (postherpetic neuralgia) they can not treat you for trigeminal neuralgia !! (Even with MVD, the neurosurgeon will not touch me!) Does anyone have postherpetic neuralgia??
If your MRI (hopefully done with the special procedure to visualize the trigeminal nerve) shows a compression I would opt for the MVD. I don’t know enough, however, about the nerve problem you have from shingles and its effect on this procedure. If you have an experienced neurosurgeon, totally familiar with the MVD, I would hope he/she knows how to approach this.
Thamk you Allen