It has now been over one year and one month since my MVD. I walk 2 1/2 miles and run 2 1/2 everyday. Issues with running require that I avoid too much wind and need to keep a comfortable pace so as not to take in too air. Oddly this can cause some burning of my gums later on.
I am still on 100 mg of Lamactal twice a day. Hopefully, after the winter I can ween off completely. I deal with my neuropathy by keeping stressful situations to a minimum. I can brush and floss with no more triggering of pain. I wash my face, but not so rigorously on the right side. I sleep on my right side and sleep through the night. Slight tingling on lower lip is minimal. I still have numbness in the right side lower face, but that heavy feeling is gone. What I have done is some extensive blood urine and saliva testing to determine hormonal and adrenal issues. My thyroid was also out of whack. I take bio identical hormones, thyroid and a series of adrenal supplements. All of which have made a tremendous difference in my energy and feelings of emotional well bring. My physicians are quite surprised by my progress, considering the degree of Neurapathy I was left with.
I think the patience and willingness of my neuro to keep trying different meds and supporting balancing of my adrenal and thyroid issues did the trick.
After 3 years of countless meds and days and nights in a fetal position crying and then hurting more from the crying sent me in a crazy spiral. I am so glad that I had the MVD done, and I am going to ride this wave of joy for as long as possible. When I feel anything troubling I stop everything get myself in a calmer state by meditating and I usually pull out within an hour. This has been a process and like any other disease you learn to manage it, and life is good, so good. I hope this has been helpful to anyone considering an MVD, because all else has failed. Best wishes to all.