The importance of a good doctor

Yesterday a woman whom I have never met but have had several conversations with, called to thank me for referring her to the surgeon who had performed my MVD. Several months ago my dentist called and asked if I would mind talking with a woman who was suffering from facial pain. Since my dentist knew my history he was aware of my trigeminal neuralgia and the results of my surgery. Of course I said I would call her. This woman had been suffering for 3 years. She was under the care of a neurologist and was constantly having her meds increased yet she continued to have worsening bouts of pain. I shared my MVD success with her and gave her the phone number of my neurosurgeon.

The woman and her neurologist knew she had a tumor but the neurologist told her the benign tumor was not the cause of her pain.

To make a long story short, the woman made an appointment with my neurosurgeon who took one look at her MRI and said the tumor needed to be removed. It was pressing on the cranial nerve. So she had the surgery, the tumor was removed during a 7 hour operation and she is now free of all pain.

For years, this woman had confidence in her neurologist and never sought another opinion. She spent years in terrible pain that was completely eliminated by the surgery. And so I ask you, if you continue to suffer, find another doctor. Find the best neurosurgeon and ask him if there is help for you. You may not even realize that your doctor is not the most knowledgable person to be giving you advice. It cannot hurt to get a second or third opinion. Keep trying. Do lots of research. And don't give up.

Doctors in general know more about the bubonic plague…than they know about us… Slowwwwwly changing!

Good point!!! I live in central Pa. and was wondering where you went for your surgery... so far the tegretol has eliminated the pain but i want to be ready just in case...

Hi Tacocat,

My surgeon was Dr. Paul Gardner at UPMC in Pittsburgh. His specialty is skull base surgery. He performs several MVD's every week and is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. He is very kind and caring in addition to being a remarkable surgeon. People travel from all over the country to see him. The tegretol and then neurotin kept my pain under control but I did not like the person that I became while taking them. For me, surgery was my best option. Best of luck to you.

tacocat said:

Good point!!! I live in central Pa. and was wondering where you went for your surgery... so far the tegretol has eliminated the pain but i want to be ready just in case...

MimiK, I agree wholeheartedly!
So important to learn as much as you can about TN so that you can make informed decisions and recognize whether or not your Doctor or Neuro is knowledgeable. If you’re unsure definitely solicit another opinion or two.
It’s our bodies, our health and we must take an active part in our care.
I’m so glad you were able to help a fellow sufferer.
Thanks for sharing, (( hugs )) Mimi without a K : )