my doctor prescribed a near leathal dose landed me in the hospital with me in a room with a crash cart, For the last year i kept telling him that i was having terrible side effects with carbomaizpine he kept saying you will get use to it. my primary said i had vertigo. I just went to a neurogist and he said that not ony do i not have vertigo, but that the dose i was getting would be for someone 11/2 x ,my size. So this is why i have been falling dizzy sick all the time. he set me up with a surgeon and we are going to do the mvd. he said it's the most successful and meds are not working for me as i have tried others. I am really afraid of doing this but i can't live like this anymore tell me what to expect
Hi Sluggo,
Sorry you are suffering so! I know you have asked about MVD before, and I can tell,you are quite nervous about it. I can only share my experience, and we are all different, but I hope you will gain more confidence as you learn of my, and other members experience.
I had my MVD on January 25. My surgeon is highly experienced with MVD, and considered an expert by the TN community. I arrived at the hospital at 5 AM for a 7AM surgery. The incision site was shaved ( about 1 & 1/2 inch wide, maybe 3 inches long), and I had an additional MRI pre surgery. After surgery, which took about 4 hours, I was in recovery for about an hour, and then went to ICU. although I did have pain at the incision site, I did not have TN pain. I was lucky in that I did not have any of the severe nausea and vomiting that some others have had. During the surgery, you head is held still by a halo, which is attaché to your head via screws. This sounds worse than it really is, but I did have scans in the spots where it was attached.
I spent two days in ICU. I was never in horrible pain, but did have pain meds at regular intervals. I was released from the hospital two days free surgery, and flew home five days later. I was tired and sore for the next week, and started feeling stronger soon after. I was very glad I had this surgery. I too was worried , but it really is not as bad s it sounds. Again, this is just my experience, but I hope you read other encouraging stories, and that you have a successful surgery.
Best regards
Christine
Sorry you are suffering so badly right now, but I think you're doing the right thing. I have not had MVD yet, but when my pain gets to the point that I can't function on meds or the meds don't work, etc....I am having it done. Already been discussed with my neurosurgeon. I am lucky that he treats me now instead of seeing a neurologist until time for surgery. He does both. And I am keeping my pain under control with meds right now. I seriously think you're doing the right thing! ((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))) and don't be scared. LOTS of our members just got MVD in April of this year. And they have all done well. Good luck!
I had a lot of complications from surgery that you will not have, I am allergic to most medications and like you Tegretol caused me major issues as did Lyrica, so I had to get the surgery. I also drive around all day for my job, and on meds that make you dizzy that is impossible, but I was actually looking forward to the surgery.
I did throw up from the anesthesia, I have always done this. I also had the fluid in my ears and got Thrush from the antibiotics (thrush feels like you are eating razorblades that tastes bitter and leaves sores in your mouth) Even with all these complications I would do it in a heartbeat again if I had to. Within a month I felt awesome!! I had some lingering ATN pain, mostly my teeth, and they hurt pretty good for a couple of weeks, but then it was all gone and still is!! My surgery was October of last year.
I also went to one of the top TN surgeons, I traveled 4 hours drive to go to him, and even he said he never saw someone so allergic to medications as me, so please dont think it will happen to you,
The point is, even with all that, I would say the surgery is not bad...the worst part for me was the incision still itches like crazy some days, no idea why
Wendy "crashgirl"
My experience was good for cranial surgery anyway --- Dr. Casey says is a "1" on a scale of 1-10 as far as having surgery in that area --- more dangerous surgeries are tumors, anyurisms, and other things that are more complicated are a 10.
BUT THE most important thing is not to just find a surgeon --- to find a TN SURGEON -- I've seen it make allllll the difference in the world --- so please make sure that is the case!
If you have to wait on the best surgeon --- lower the meds/and put a lidocaine patch on
is my advice--that is what I would hope any family member of mine would do in this situation.
I'm sorry you were drugged so long and I'm glad you were proactive!!!!
Keep Posting!
I had MVD in Sept. of 2012. Was in ICU for 24 hours post op and don’t remember much except that my head hurt all over. 3 days in a reg. hospital room with interval pain meds but no tn meds. I had reoccurring pain up until Oct. this devastated me since the Doc had promised me that I would be pain free before I left the hospital and that was not the case. I had my worse episode in oct of 2012 but that was also the last time that it occurred. I have been pain free since and med free since Dec. was out of work for 2 months and recovery went faster after I got home. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I wish you much success and hope to hear a success story from you. I’m grateful everyday!