So I was talking with my dads friend who has TN
He said he had a procedure in which the Dr inserted a needle in his chin area, he didn’t know the name of this procedure but he said it made his pain go away and it should last up to 12 months.
Does this sound familiar? What’s the name of it if anyone knows?
Thee is an operation that I have had twice now and I think it’s the Balloon Compression. Surgeon say should last 2-5 years and it’s great. They stick needle in the jawline (or close to) and you wake up and still have pain for a week or so, then pain free until the nerve regenerates. That’s how it’s has been explained to me. There is no scar but you have to be careful for a week or so, no bending and lifting.
Could also be referring to a Ryzodomy...I believe this is less risky than the balloon compression. Make sure you do research on any procedure before you go into it and know everything that there is to know.
Something similar was suggested to us called a Sphenopalantine block. We never did it though because our eventual MVD neurosurgeon told us that all temporary fixes like rhizotomy and blocks leave scar tissue behind and make the work of the eventual neurosurgeon (if you decide to go that route) more difficult.
Hi!
Here’s my two cents, go straight to a Neuroligist or Neurosurgeon who has extensive experience with TN. Each one of our cases are different, and technology, etc. changes over time.
During my TN journey, (5 yrs, type 1 TN). I read an amazing book, “Striking back. Handbook for TN” by Dr Ken Casey. It put a lot of things into perspective. Covers all the treatment options, pros and cons. There is no good cure, that is why there are several treatments that might work. In the best hands, in the right TN case, an MVD is really our best option. Several procedures can actually cause scar tissue, and other long term issues. There are so many different reasons for the TN pain due to Injuries, dental work, blood vessel pressure, myelin sheath issues.
Be your own advocate, seek out the best Dr you can find, and ask a lot of questions. I flew from Florida to Michigan for my MVD. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I wish you the best if luck, feel free to send a msg if any questions.
Best wishes— Tiffanie
He might have had Radiofrequency ablation/lesion. It is out patient procedure and and only takes 20 minutes (at least mine did). Both procedures they administered light sedation. The needle is hollow and guided to the by the use of ex ray. They wake you (but I never remember it) make sure they are hitting the nerve. Lights out again. They insert a probe into the needle and slightly burn the nerve causing an ablation or lesion. I may not be 100% accurate on how they perform this procedure. Unfortunately I did not find any relief. But each person is different. April 7th I will see a neuro surgeon.
I agree with Tiffanie…go for the proven MVD. I had one of the worst cases my neuro surgeon had ever seen and he had done hundreds of them. Pain free for years now, just numbness on my right facial side but doesn’t affect my appearance or speech. I have gotten used to it, and it beats that excruciating pain. My surgeon is in Sarasota, FL.
If it’s the same as mine it was a ballon decompression it’s work relatively well for me. I had 3 months pain free and for the rest of the year just 4 gabapentin daily it’s been heaven not to be in pain but I know it’s short term in fact it’s starting to come back now. So so long as you realise it’s a short term pain relief about a year and a half then it’s a good option as long as it’s only TN and there’s nothing more causing the pain
Just curious. Could it have been a steroidal injection at the TN nerve site? There is a lot of discussion on another page of sufferers getting relief long term but usually needs to be repeated to stay as pain free as possible. Sharon
It is called a Radio Frequency Rizotomy. It is the one surgery I have had done that I came close to regretting. Though just for a brief moment, they have to wake you up to make sure they are in the right spot. If it hurts they know they are where the need to be. Well, I guess my surgeon knew where to go. The pain for me, was a plus 20, it hurt so bad. My partner almost took me back to the hospital later that night fearing I was in shock, I was so out of it. It does work, and it helped me. I was just caught very off guard about how bad that very short time awake hurt.
sally langer said:
I agree with Tiffanie....go for the proven MVD. I had one of the worst cases my neuro surgeon had ever seen and he had done hundreds of them. Pain free for years now, just numbness on my right facial side but doesn't affect my appearance or speech. I have gotten used to it, and it beats that excruciating pain. My surgeon is in Sarasota, FL.I
I had an MVD in Feb and have rt side numbness. I guess this is more common than I thought. I am still learning to adapt. I can eat without too many problems now but I am concerned about my eye which has very little feeling in it. I just finished treating it for pink eye. What do you do about your eye to prevent injury?
It just takes time to adjust, and be mindful about rubbing your eye. I couldn’t leave my eye alone for a long time, thinking it could bring back the feeling with touch, etc. but I have just learned to adapt to the odd sensation, like novacaine that won’t wear off. Just keep in mind, that the pain is gone, and that’s a good trade!
Thanks. It does take time to adjust. I didn't want to touch my face the first few days but now I want to feel if the sensation id coming back.
Some feeling has come back to my upper right top lip and that is encouraging…hang in there!
Check your eye for redness. If your eye is dry, over the counter lubacating eye drops help. I find for my the hardest thing is to remember not to rub my eye.
Desert Dweller said:
I had an MVD in Feb and have rt side numbness. I guess this is more common than I thought. I am still learning to adapt. I can eat without too many problems now but I am concerned about my eye which has very little feeling in it. I just finished treating it for pink eye. What do you do about your eye to prevent injury?