Trigeminal neuralgia gamma knife microvascular decompression
Common Questions and Answers about Trigeminal neuralgia gamma knife microvascular decompression
trigeminal-neuralgia
I was diagnosed with sinusitis - it was many years before I knew it was properly diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia. After having microvascular decompression surgery for the TN. I returned to the same chiropractor. By that afternoon, the TN had returned – so I never returned to the chiropractor who used the Atlas technique, but I see a chiropractor who uses manual cervical manipulation and he does help with the neck pain, and he does not cause the nerve pain.
What I really meant was some medications such as tegretol, anticonvulsants,for example,neuron tin are very promising to treat trigeminal neuralgia. In addition, surgical procedure known as microvascular decompression is promising and yields long term therapeutic effect. you do need to see a neurologist to be fully informed of all available treatment options.
As many as 90% patients have reduction in symptoms after a month of treatment. Some side effects of facial numbness have been associated. Gamma knife surgery for trigeminal neuralgia has been a safe and effective treatment and better than traditional surgery. Take care.
They also told me to bring a CD, which they played during the gamma knife part of it. The gamma knife machine makes no noise and there is no pain -- I brought a CD that I knew had 3-minute long upbeat songs, so I could do a countdown of when the procedure would be done.
The aftereffects include facial swelling from the frame -- that started shortly after the gamma knife procedure. I put ice on my face to bring down the swelling.
Although there is no medication for such neuralgia but decompression surgeries of 5th, 9th and 10th nerves may help an affected person in relieving from symptoms. Hope this helps.
I have typical Trigeminal Neuralgia and had a Gamma Knife treatment 6 months ago. I was told to begin weaning off my medication (Trileptal). Since reducing the medication by 150 mg, I am once again experiencing TN pain triggered by chewing, talking, washing my face, etc. Is this normal when weaning off anti-seizure medications used for TN?
I had a very succesful MVD in 2000 for Trigeminal Neuralgia. Dtr slightly clipped the nerve and put teflon tape in. Recently, I experienced a migrane headache with loss of side vision for a short moment. Next day, bottom left lip (previous trigger point for tn) was completely numb, lasted 24 hours. Since then have twitch in bottom left lip when tired or stressed. Has anyone heard of complications post op from the teflon tape or clipping of nerve from MVD surgery?
I have a recent dx of Trigeminal Neuralgia from Primary Care and have been referred to Neurology for further evaluation. The pain distribution is unilateral and follows the sensory distribution of cranial nerve V at the maxillary area. History of previous trauma (neuroplasia) dates to 1997, though asymptomatic to current presentation. There is no prior history of TMJ, aneurysms, tumors or other common precipitants. I am 61 years old, consistent with typical onset.
The AAN stated that other therapies, such as procedures on the collection of nerves that gives off the trigeminal nerve (gasserian ganglion ablation, microvascular decompression, gamma knife which is basically focused radiation, and injection) are possibly helpful for cases that do not respond to therapy.
With bilateral TN, an investigation for multiple sclerosis is warranted. This is best conducted by a neurologists.
Has anyone had the gamma knife surgery and in doing so worried about radiation exposure? I know it is extremely high in order to destroy the nerve. I would love to know how people deal with and approach the fact even though the radiation is highly targeted, it is still approaching high theapuetic levels. I have pain in both sides of the trigeminal nerve and may need one dose to each side. The idea of that much radiation freaks me out to point I am consdiering Rhizotomy instead.
Thanks!
Each of the surgical techniques employed has some degree of success (not 100%) and attempts to reduce pain signals generated by the trigeminal nerve, which transmits painful sensation from the face (hence the term trigeminal neuralgia). First, there is a procedure called glycerol rhizotomy, whereby the surgeon injects glycerol directly into the nerve under x-ray guidance.
I had Gamma-Knife Surgery 4 months ago for Trigeminal Neuralgia. After the surgery, I felt no different than before. However, recently, I began to feel a twinge in my lip like a oncoming cold sore. Two weeks later, I have almost complete numbness on the entire left side of my face. I am incredible greatful because my pain is gone, but I no longer feel anything. I feel as though I can't move my face even though the PA said it's all within the nerve not the muscle.
Hi Deb,
Have you gone back to the surgeon that did the EAR operation. It sound like maybe he/she hit the nerve, during the ear suregery! If I were you I'd also get copies of MY medical records from the ear MD as well as the hospital surgical records. THE TN branch is right behind the ear. You may need them for a consult with another TN specialist ( oh make sure you get any and ALL x-rays MRI and stuff flims and not just the reports!
Gamma Knife is not new to TN. I had 2 rounds of Gamma Knife and 2 rounds of MVD. I still have TN and now I have Phantom pain from all of the treatments. The docs are going to try to restore the nerve and start all over again. Gamma knife runs about 150K per round. Insurance companies are hesitate to approve its use for TN now, since it only helps one-half of the TN patients. It is the least invasive of all treatments, the best of all worlds, ONLY if it works.
Has your mother seen a Neurologist for evaluation? I had Trigeminal Neuralgia after shingles on my face, and the pain is worse than anything I've ever felt before. She definately needs to be checked out.
I recently had microvascular decompression for glossopharyngeal neuralgia in June 2008. I have been pain free. They put Teflon between the nerve and the blood vessel that is compressing it. If you have more questions, please contact me.
Hello there,
I am 26 years old and I had a maxillofacial surgery almost exactly 3 years ago during which metal plates and screws were drilled into my jawbones and cheek areas. I checked online and my surgeon has retired since so I have no idea how to contact him. I have never had a headache in my life. Then, out of the nowhere, for the past 10 days I have had non stop burning, agonizing headaches, numbness and burning in my face and around the back of my neck.
I suffer from trigeminal neuralgia and am currently taking BACLOFEN to help with the pain. I was treated with the Gamma Knife about a year ago without success. A friend also had TN and was treated with an alcohol shot to the face that had to be repeated about 4 weeks later. That was over 10 years ago and he has had NO pain since. I can find only passing references to the alcohol shot to the face. My question is where can I go to get this alcohol shot to the face?
hi again....I looked this up on MAYOCLINIC.COM its referred to as TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA....it follows the branches of the trigeminal nerve...look at the site for more info.
I've have had TN since Dec 17th. My internist put me on gabapentin which did not help the pain. My neurologist put me on Tegretol, which did not help the pain. My pain specialist put me on Trileptol, which after slowly increasing the dosage finally controlled the pain. April 22nd I had gamma knife surgery. The pain specialist said it'll be 3 months before we know if it worked. There are five surgery options.
Once my pain was controlled by medication, I asked my doctor what we could do to fix this. He suggested a Gamma Knife. I had one about 3 weeks ago. However, it takes 4-6 months before we'll know if it worked or not.
There are something like 5 different surgeries that can be done. It all depends on what caused your TN and your doctor would know best which surgery would be best for you.
Hi,
It is difficult to treat such a persistent post herpetic neuralgia. If you have tried gamma ray knife surgery as well, then there is nothing much in the way of a treatment that can be done. You might have of course tried topical creams, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, steroids, local anesthetics, probably electrical nerve stimulation. If your doctor has not prescribed any of these, you may ask for them. There have been some cases where some amount relief is offered by meditation.
Has anyone had any experience with using Trignotab as an alternative treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia? I am posting this for a friend who does not have access to a computer. She has suffered from this condition for years (30+), has undergone surgery with short term success, has been assessed for gamma knife treatment but is not a candidate. She is currently taking trileptol and baclofen, and is not sure if she can take the Trignotab with these medications.
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