My TN symptons had my primary care Dr. send me in for an MRI and a tumor was found. I was refered to a neurologist who did a more detailed MRI and I was sent to the neurosurgeon who recommed the Gamma Knife procedure for the tumor. I had this on 3/7/12 - just a week ago. My neurosurgeon is a Gamma Knife specialist as well as a specialist in TN and made certain to look for the cause of my pain when reviewing my MRI prior to the procedure. He found that I have a blood vessel pressing on the nerve, but he does not believe the tumor and the problem with the blood vessel/nerve are related as they are on opposite sides. I am hoping that as my ping pong ball size tumor shrinks it my somehow allow things to shift a little in my head and take the pressure off the nerve. Is this really just wishful thinking? The tumor was a fortunate find and I am thankful for that - something good from something bad (my TN pain).
I also have a tumor and mine is on the V nerve....I haven't anything done with my tumor it hasn't growed so were just watching it ...I did start with the TN but like i said mine is on the nerve...i am on trileptal 130 mg 2 a daily....been doing good on it and it has worked but now i noticed last night my ankles were swelled..so i called my dr this morning waitng on them to call me back...Do you know what kind of tumor you have ? mine is a Mengimona...god bless
Donna,
I also have/had a mengimona about ping pong ball size. I go back to the nerosurgeon's office in a month for my follow-up to the gamma knife. The TN led to its discovery and for that I am gratful, but I sure would be thankful if it would just go away now! I think I will need to increase my gabapentin as it helps with the pain, but it is still there every waking hour. I would be happy to share my gamma knife experience if you go that route at some point. It is certainly a blessing to have this site and people like you to share with.
Yes i'd love to hear your out come on your gramma knife...I've all over to drs and they all said I was a canidate for the gramma knife cause where my tumor is....it's in a really nasty place and if i did have surgery they wouldn't beable to get it all....is the gabapentin doing good for you ? Do you have any symtoms on it ? like i said i'm on the trilepal which as stop the shocking but now i'm getting swelled ankles....so the nurse called today and cut me back a pill...my tumor is about an 1" so it sound like the same size as yours....is the TN your having from the tumor ? and where is your located ? Yes, this is a wonderful site to be able to chat with people that know what your going through....god bless..i will keep you in my prayers...:)
Donna,
My TN symptoms led the drs to do an MRI looking for the cause of my nerve pain. They found the tumor (meningioma) at the base on the left side. My TN pain is on the right so they don't believe they are related. When I went in for the Gamma Knife it was for the tumor, but my nuerosurgeon checked on my TN when reviewing the MRI and found I have the blood vessel pressing on the nerve. My uneducated hope is that as the tumor shrinks it will shift things in my head just enough to have the vessel not press so much on the nerve. Wishful thinking, but I can't help myself. The tumor never gave me any symptoms that I can directly attribute to it. It may be why my eyes have been bloodshoot all the time and maybe the sweats I had - often just to my head. Also, for the past year I woken up each morning with a dull head. But, then again it could be TN or that stage of life we women go through.
Now for the gamma knife for the tumor. I just had it done eight days ago, Wednesday, March 7th. When they bolt the helmet or "teirra" to your head it is very uncomfortable, but it is temporary. Once you get through that step it is smooth sailing and painless. I did not require any medication before or after the procedure. The day of and the day after I was comfortable, but on Friday I had swelling to the back of my head, forhead and eyes. I was glad to have that day and the weekend at home. I still have some swelling now and am icing several times a day and taking Tylenol. I am not in any pain from the Gamma Knife procedure. I will be very glad when the swelling subsides because between the swelling and my TN pain I do have too much going on in my head. I hate having TN, however I am thankful that it led to my dr. finding the tumor, before it created any serious problems and while it was small enough I could elect to have the Gamma Knife done. I will have a follow-up appointment in April. You may want to visit MeningiomaMommas.com website for more information - I found it a good resource. It is for men too! Let's keep in touch.
donna said:
Yes i'd love to hear your out come on your gramma knife...I've all over to drs and they all said I was a canidate for the gramma knife cause where my tumor is....it's in a really nasty place and if i did have surgery they wouldn't beable to get it all....is the gabapentin doing good for you ? Do you have any symtoms on it ? like i said i'm on the trilepal which as stop the shocking but now i'm getting swelled ankles....so the nurse called today and cut me back a pill...my tumor is about an 1" so it sound like the same size as yours....is the TN your having from the tumor ? and where is your located ? Yes, this is a wonderful site to be able to chat with people that know what your going through....god bless..i will keep you in my prayers...:)
I should add that I am in Washington if you are in the area and am very confident in my neurosurgeon and my neurologist. This cracks me up - I never ever thought I would say "my neurosurgeon!"