I guess the title say it all :-) Anybody had CyberKnife?
Royce
Hi CIGCB,
MVD is Microvascular Decompression.
http://www.umanitoba.ca/cranial_nerves/trigeminal_neuralgia/manuscript/mvd.html
MVD is a surgical procedure to relieve the symptoms (pain, muscle twitching) caused by compression of a nerve by an artery or vein. MVD involves surgically opening the skull (craniotomy) and exposing the nerve at the base of the brainstem to insert a tiny sponge between the compressing vessel and the nerve. This sponge isolates the nerve from the pulsating effect and pressure of the blood vessel.
http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-MVD.htm#.VW3AAWK9KK0
I’ve never had cyber knife, but if you type that into the search function located in the upper right corner, it will find all previous discussions referencing cyber knife.
Hope this helps, Mimi
After twenty years of pain, I've decided to have MVD performed. Initially I wanted to know more about the gamma knife - but the gamma knife the way I understood is that it burns off the trigeminal nerve and there are after affects like a feather brushing against your cheek or your face that cannot be undone according to my neurosurgeon. I've tried the meds but it gave me dark thoughts; I was planning on taking my life and it felt horrible. My pain management doctor decided to ease me off it and completely taken off it. I started receiving injections in my head and while it helped, I still have the pain; its not as bad - but during the months of March and April; August and September, I have the most vicious episodes of pain, One throbbing pain after the other with minimal reprieve. And its a long drive to the pain management center and difficult to get in at a moments notice. My pain triggers are wind, a fan, the constant change in weather; spicy foods and loud noises. Once during one of my episodes, the water faucet in my kitchen sink running and it was so painful for me to hear. Now I'm scheduled to have the MVD and I'm praying it will help me get some relief.
It is microvascular decompression surgery. Trigeminal Neuralgia is caused by a blood vessel pressing against your trigeminal nerve right near the root where it comes out of the brain stem.
This procedure was pioneered by Dr Janetta in Pittsburg about 15 years ago.
It really IS the only way to cure TN - all other solutions like cyber knife, gamma knife and injections are all destructive. In other words, they destroy the nerve so it won't send the pain signals anymore. You turn a bit numb, and still have to remain on meds with some break through pain for the rest of your life.
Cyber knife is originally for getting rid of tumors without surgery.
The only way to cure TN - and become absolutely healthy again - no meds - no pain at all - would be this surgery.
I was in pain with TN for 6 years before having the surgery. I tried so many other methods to cure it - including acupuncture and massage.
For details you can visit my blog: CuringTrigeminalNeuralgia.BlogSpot.com
Oldfield there is currently NO known CURE for TN. There are procedures that can greatly reduce or as stated below provide you with years of no pain.
Please read below…
I have copy /pasted Moderator Red’s response below to this thread in regards to what Oldfield has stated above.
An observation, if I may. I have read the blog mentioned by OldfieldDesigns. Her blog represents her personal experience, and most of the medical information there appears to be accurate and pertinent. The moderators and owners of Living With TN respect the constructive power of personal experience, even though we do not “endorse” websites other than those in the Ben’s Friends communities for people with rare medical disorders.
That being said, I would offer one observation, however: although MVD is generally considered to be the gold standard of treatment for typical TN pain, it isn’t actually a “cure”. In about 50% of all initially successful MVD operations, the patient will remain pain-free for 12 to 15 years or longer. And that’s great. Success rates are much more limited with the “atypical” forms of trigeminal neuropathic pain, called “ATN”. Likewise, if you go into the procedure expecting to be “cured” forever, you might later find yourself crashing emotionally if you get a relapse of pain. They do happen.
Chronic neurological facial pain is a one-day-at-a-time life experience. It is wise to keep a long view and to cultivate resilience. It’s never really “gone” as a background concern, though it is certainly possible for many patients to return to a full life for long periods of time with the aid of MVD surgery. We all take our chances and do the best we can.
Go in Peace and Power
Red Lawhern, Ph.D.
Everybody thanks for your help, I am now more knowledgeable,