In a little over 12 hours I will be back at the day surgery centre for my 2nd PRF (Pulsed Radiofrequency Lesioning) and for those that haven't chatted with me before - this is not a permanent procedure such as the standard Radiofrequency, but a temporary procedure which has only semi-permanent effects on the GG (Gasserion Ganglion) which is the target of the procedure.
Last time - March 1st, the procedure was directed at the right side GG, and tomorrow - the plan is to do the PRF on my left side GG. It is now about 6 weeks since the right side was done - and even though after recovery from the procedure I did enjoy 2 weeks pain free - I have found that the effects wore off much quicker than predicted and over the recent 2 weeks now, the pain has returned with ever increasing intensity once more.
I was told that the more longer term effects may require several of these procedures, I just had expected them to attack the left side GG a lot sooner than they are. I expected this procedure now due tomorrow to occur about 3 weeks ago.
Anyways, the day has arrived - wish me well please my dear friends here - as once again I face the terror of having a numb face as a direct result of them burning the GG. I'm exhausted, elated, anxious and terrified but now it's approaching 11pm here in Australia and I must sleep.
Thanks everyone ~ home safe and well so far so good, now to wait till both the anesthetic wears off and recovery from the intentional damage the radiofrequency causes, to see if I’ve gained any benefit from the procedure. No numbness or anything as a result as yet So very happy, and very tired. Thanks again!
Thanks Jamie Leigh, I am not too bad presently, thanks for asking - and yes I have considered MVD - but here in Australia where I live - there are very few neurosurgeons who will do an MVD on a bilaterally affected TN patient. Actually, I’ve found only 1 - and she works in the Royal Adelaide Hospital 5,000 kilometres away from where I live, and isn’t even back in the country till July.
Hi Liz,
Since night before last I’ve actually been in considerable pain. This can happen after a PRF, the doctor tells me - the pain for a few days can actually be worse than the pain you have going into the procedure, so I can’t yet tell if it’s pain from the TN or pain from the Gasserion Ganglion that was treated having a hissy fit because it was hit with the electrode…
I had just 3 hours sleep last night, woke up this morning again early as even though I’d lay down with the right hand side of my face on the pillow, I’d accidently switched the side I was laying on during my sleep and woke up lying on the left side, the one the doc operated on - OUCHaRAMA!
I’ve been having to take a lot of painkillers and excessive use of my heatpacks basically for 2 days now and just before, tried to nap also and found that even lying on my supposedly “good” (right hand) side, caused more pain to throb nastily on the operated side so not having a good few days, lack of sleep, lots of pain and lots of medication
Hopefully, it all starts to get better soon. The right side, the one treated March 1st, gave me 2 weeks relief only, so doc says we’ll have to repeat the procedure for that side also - and increase the heat used in the electrode some more - so will probably have to go back and redo that side now also. Sigh. It looks like it may take repeated procedures “both” sides to get more of a longer lasting effect - but I do know it’s not a cure - it’s only aim is to reduce the amount of pain I experience by shocking the ganglion into a reset position supposedly.
My only concern, is that with each new procedure performed, the increase of temperature required each time means there is an increased risk % of facial numbness also.
so far so good, now to wait till both the anesthetic wears off and recovery from the intentional damage the radiofrequency causes, to see if I’ve gained any benefit from the procedure. No numbness or anything as a result as yet 
so not having a good few days, lack of sleep, lots of pain and lots of medication