I have TN1 & TN2 on my right side. I had both an MVD and glycerin rhizotomy in January. The numbness from the rhizotomy wore off about 8 weeks ago. Until 2 weeks ago, I was pain free. I started having pain again, mostly type 2 with the occasional type 1 zap. I spent the majority of my weekend on the couch clutching an ice pack to my face but refusing to take any medication. Has anyone had a recurrence of pain in this time frame? Was it temporary?
I feel for you. Being on the couch caught in the grasp of pain is scary. I have not had a glycerin rhizotomy, but I have had an MVD and four years later had stereotactic radiosurgery. The stereotactic radiosurgery was two and a half years ago. I’m still on drugs, and I have too many days on the couch. Though I had a year of actual normal life, which I am very thankful for, now I am partially facing my same ole’ problems. Some though, are still not a problem, which I am very thankful for. Time will tell what is going on with your TN. All you can do is wait it out. That is a real pain in itself. Hang in there. Laurel
How are you both doing? Im 7 months post op and last 4 to 6 weeks pain is back. When im stressed or weather. I do work pt, non stress job. I have migraines on side that i had surgery on. Im seeing nuerologist next week.
I’m so sorry to hear that! I was devastated when my pain returned. I’m doing pretty well. I had another MVD 10 months after my first. This time with Dr Casey. If you have access to him, I highly recommend seeing him. He was much more thorough and seemingly more knowledgeable than my first surgeon. He was also very realistic and did a great job managing my expectations. It took much longer to heal after the 2nd surgery (I had a lot of scar tissue) and it took a couple of months to come off the gabapentin. But since then, I am almost entirely pain free. I had a brief relapse while on a flight 4 months post op but Dr Casey wasn’t too surprised/alarmed - flying was a huge source of pain in the past and the nerve can take up to a year to heal. I’m flying again in 2 weeks (7 months post op), hopefully this time is better!! I hope your pain resolves quickly and without the need for further intervention.
Side note - I have an intense feeling of pressure around my cheek/mastoid area that is unlikely to resolve but the TN 1 symptoms and other TN 2 symptoms have faded. The pressure is annoying but not painful enough to require additional treatment or medication.