Before my MVD (Jan 20/09) ANY increase in heart rate made my face scream.

Since the MVD, I have tried to trigger the pain by getting on my elliptical - with no result at all.

My Neurosurgeon said that an artery was compressing the nerve, and so every heart beat caused the nerve to get hit. Increase in heart rate = increast in # of hits to the nerve = more pain.

I get your frustration re: exercise. I feel so fat and out of shape. Can't wait to recover properly and get back to 'normal'.

Good luck!

CAT

p.s. I should also add, that a flare up would happen too if I was overly stressed.