Hi everyone,
I had MVD on 12 December 2016, which took care of the type 1 TN pain, so I no longer have any electric shock type pain in my teeth and no longer get any unbearable flare ups, which is great, of course.
However, I still have constant, daily type 2 TN pain underneath my left eye, inside my ear, which is new (!) and inside my upper teeth, which gets worse towards the evening.
Based on a 1,5 hour MRI scan, I was also diagnosed with geniculate and glossopharyngeal neuralgia two weeks ago.
My NS offered me various options for treatment:
- a needle rhizotomy;
- GammaKnife radiation;
- a referral to a neurologist for an SPG block;
After discussing my options with the NS, I decided to try the SPG block first, as I believe it is too early after my MVD to undergo another surgical procedure and the radiation is way too expensive! He fully agreed with me.
So I will be returning to my neurologist for the SPG block.
Has anyone tried this after their MVD and has it worked?
Also, I have successfully weaned myself off Effexor, Lamotrigine and Topamax over the past three months, as instructed by my neurologist and am now taking vitamin B 12 sublingually (5000 mcg), but I am afraid I will need to go back onto medication if the SPG block doesn’t work and I hate taking anticonvulsants, since they come with such nasty side effects and I am working full-time…
I have already tried so many meds without any success and had lots of side effects and issues: Tegretol (sudden drop in sodium serum levels), Lyrica, Endep, Keppra, Botox, Gabapentin (rash), Effexor, Lamotrigine and Topamax.
All suggestions or words of encouragement are welcome!
Thanks, dear fellow TNers. Stay strong!