Donna - It seems in all centers they operate the same way these days. I too, am back with my family doctor, who isn't all that knowledgeable about TN. Wonder if they have neurologists who are specialists in TN. Actually, I did see a couple of videos while I was doing my 'intensive research' the other day. This is a video showing the microvascular decompression surgery This was done at a hospital in the States. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypckUpTtXPs&feature=related
Have also been doing some research on the 'Pain Shield' by 'Vibronix' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5nRCS2acTY Here is another ref. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG-U8MwdO8s&feature=related If this method really works, it would be the answer to a lot of our problems. Fairly new treatment though. Spoke to a doctor 'online' who felt it was reliable and reputable. Anyhow, thought I'd share for what it is worth. :)
I have a neck problem. My TN developed after a minor head injury and whiplash injury to my neck. No wasn't a car accident, I was just picking something up at work and stood up and hit my head on the corner of a computer monitor. Anyway, my neck is definitely part of the TN. I just had a trigger point injection to the cranial nerve root (December 16th). It is done in a radiology suite so that they can visualize the nerve. It is done for pain control and diagnosis to determine if this is where the problem is stemming from. My MD states it is a completely benign procedure that poses no potential complications (unlike the surgical options). It worked immediately because of the Lidocaine which told us that that is where the problem is coming from. Over time I feel much better. I'm not cured but my neck is moving better and I'm doing a lot of therapy on it that feels more effective than before (cervical traction, heat, stretches and strengthening exercises). The hope is that with increased range of motion for awhile the right muscles can get stronger and the other ones can relax. I also considered chiropractic work but found this first. I think it is worthy of pursuit. But I would never let anyone adjust my neck quickly. I was getting the same type of adjustments done by a physical therapist who was confident but gentle.
Donna - It seems in all centers they operate the same way these days. I too, am back with my family doctor, who isn't all that knowledgeable about TN. Wonder if they have neurologists who are specialists in TN. Actually, I did see a couple of videos while I was doing my 'intensive research' the other day. This is a video showing the microvascular decompression surgery This was done at a hospital in the States. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypckUpTtXPs&feature=related
Have also been doing some research on the 'Pain Shield' by 'Vibronix' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5nRCS2acTY Here is another ref. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG-U8MwdO8s&feature=related If this method really works, it would be the answer to a lot of our problems. Fairly new treatment though. Spoke to a doctor 'online' who felt it was reliable and reputable. Anyhow, thought I'd share for what it is worth. :)
. Thanks Christine. I will take a look at this tonight. I too keep searching for a knowledgable physician with regards to TN. If I find one I will certainly share my findings.
Hope you've found some meds to help. I have been on Ambien and Ambien ER (extended release - which didn't work better than regular Ambien). They both helped me fall asleep and I was sleeping 5-6 hours with them. They do wear off which is part of what they are designed to do so that people don't wake up with the hangover that you get from other meds like Benadryl. Benadryl was never strong enough for me to help me sleep but it did leave me hungover. I was on Valium for a bit which worked great but is addictive so I decided to stop. We found Nortriptyline which worked for me for quite awhile but did leave me feeling like a zombie. I had no personality and couldn't remember anything. Now that I write that down I can't believe that was such an improvement but it was. Then Nortrip seemed to be making my TN worse so I am currently on Cymbalta which leaves me feeling like myself but does give some baseline pain relief and Tramadol for at night which helps offset the giddiness you get from Cymbalta. Also forcing myself to sleep in a different position. Sometimes getting up and doing something-heat,stretching, even eating seems to help. Trial and error my friend. Good luck.
I, too, have a severely degenerated disc in the cervical area. I have had an MRI done for my head, but not for my neck. I am really beginning to wonder if the 5th cranial nerve may be being 'pinched' by the degenerated disc. This would, I am sure, affect the trigeminal nerve. Another lead to follow. In my case there could be several reasons for the TN. I had a jaw osteotomy done thirty years ago to correct an 'open bite' deformity. The surgeons cut the lower jaw bone on both sides and wired it back together in better position. Cured the 'bite' problem, but am wondering if the change in position could have affected the 'artery/nerve' proximity as well. To add to the 'jumble', I also had shingles many years ago which, I was told, involved three major nerves in my back. (read somewhere that the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles can also be a cause of TN). - So, lots to sort out.
That being said, I send along warmest wishes to everyone on this site who suffers from this agonizing condition and high hopes that there may be a breakthrough sometime in the New Year that will help all of us to deal with this most frustrating, painful condition. :)
OK so I am scheduled for the Gamma Knife on 1/4 and having been feeling anxious which between the pain episodes I could not sleep. Literally 3-4 hrs max everynight. My reg Dr gave me 0.5MG of Clonazepam and I slept like a bear for 10 hours STRAIGHT!!! Apparently it is a 2 for 1 - anxiety medicine and sleep helper. I take 1 tab 30min before bedtime and 1 more each 3omin til I sleep with a max of 3 full ones at night. I also take a 1/2 every day to help with the anxiety. I had no idea that my axiety level was so high due to just freaking out completely with the onset of these pain episodes.
Note: sleep is also tough when I get it, I have dreams of being shot in the head or someone stabbing me with an ice pick or one time I dreamt that I was captured by "bad guys" where ordered to torture me by issuing the maximum amount of pain without killing me - they hooked me up to a knife machine that would jam knifes in/out of the one side of my head/face ...but even with these so called "nightmares" I am much better off than when I had no sleep at all...
Oh Gee! That is really terrible! I know that medications can have that effect on some people. From the way you described your nightmares it sounds as though the prospect of the upcoming procedure is weighing heavily on your mind. At our Sherbrooke University Hospital here, they also have the Gamma knife. What I like about it is the fact that it is 'non-invasive' and can be done under a local anaesthetic as well as the fact it is done on an out-patient basis. I get so terribly sick after general anaesthetic that definitely I would opt for the Gamma Knife as my first choice. Plus there is less chance of infection, etc., etc. No side effects that I have heard of.
Best wishes to you, Albee and hope that the New Year will bring some measure of peace to you, too. (BTW - I am an anxious person by nature and I find that stress really aggravates my TN - In fact, I can trace some of my 'flare-ups' to stressful events.
Albee said:
OK so I am scheduled for the Gamma Knife on 1/4 and having been feeling anxious which between the pain episodes I could not sleep. Literally 3-4 hrs max everynight. My reg Dr gave me 0.5MG of Clonazepam and I slept like a bear for 10 hours STRAIGHT!!! Apparently it is a 2 for 1 - anxiety medicine and sleep helper. I take 1 tab 30min before bedtime and 1 more each 3omin til I sleep with a max of 3 full ones at night. I also take a 1/2 every day to help with the anxiety. I had no idea that my axiety level was so high due to just freaking out completely with the onset of these pain episodes.
Note: sleep is also tough when I get it, I have dreams of being shot in the head or someone stabbing me with an ice pick or one time I dreamt that I was captured by "bad guys" where ordered to torture me by issuing the maximum amount of pain without killing me - they hooked me up to a knife machine that would jam knifes in/out of the one side of my head/face ...but even with these so called "nightmares" I am much better off than when I had no sleep at all...