Gamma Knife has been 90% effective for me for over 4 years.
Why is this technique not offered as a first line of defense for TN?
I do take 200-400mg of tegretol for prophylaxis.
In Washington DC there are centers for Gamma Knife. One is Washington Hospital Center
the other is Dr. Jeff Jacobson at Suburban Hospital.
Marv
Because for TN 1
The gold standard is currently MVD
Not sure what is gold standard for ATN…
Many here had gamma make them worse… Or not make them better
I had Gamma 15 months ago. Had a wonderful year. 13 months out numbness on the right side of my face, pain in all right side teeth. This event occurs in 30 percent of patients. As per neurosurgeon it can last three to six months. The reoccurring pain is horrific. Unmanageable and scary. So…it’s a crap shoot if you ask me. Really, you get good and bad stories from both sides of the fence. So happy that it was successful for you. My nerve is such a hot mess that a surgical intervention right now is out of the question. Next week I have to have my cornea checked for a possible abrasion. So I’m kinda of wishing I had the MVD. So a good neurologist evaluates and suggests. Best wishes.
I had Gamma Knife 7 weeks ago. Within two weeks I am now in loads of pain. Can you tell me Marv, did this happen to you before you got relief or has everything gone wrong for me?
so glad you have no pain. Wish all of us could be the same.
Claire,
I continued with my normal regimen of 400-800mg of Tegretol (generic) and Gabapentin 600mg. for a few weeks at least. The neurosurgeon weaned me of both over time. I still take as a prophylaxis 200-400mg Tegretol. Weaning me completely off of the drug is perhaps more psychological than physiological. I was about 72 when I undertook Gamma Knife after 30 years of TN. I was fascinated by the technology, studied it, and went into it with confidence and hope.Maybe that helped. I still feel a jab or two, and may have a very low level jaw pain for a few days. But , in affect it is basically subliminal. Work with your neurologists and perhaps my few words will help you. Please keep in contact with me!
The Washington Hospital Center in DC had an entire staff of physicists, neurosurgeons, MRI radiologists .dedicated to my case. Suburban Hospital has also trended to this technology.
Regards, Marv