Quote:
Originally Posted by MMbells
Hello, I'm a new member and glad I found this site. I have been able to get more information by reading the various posts than I have by asking my doctor (neurosurgeon). For several years I have suffered with burning pain in my shoulder blade. My c/5 c/6 and c/7 were compressed (car accident). I chose to have surgery since I am a very active person and the pain was interferring with my daily life, I am the sole provider of my family and therefore I must work. I have a great job but I have to commute 50 miles one way. These factors contributed to my decision for surgery even though the doctor only gave me a 50/50 chance of the surgery relieving my pain. I had the surgery on December 5, 2006 and recovered within 2 weeks. I was back to work and in full swing in 3 weeks. The burning seems to have subsided although I have encountered other areas of pain. This is where my question comes in. Approximately 2 weeks after surgery I noticed that everytime I touched my face (under my left eye by my nose in the checkbone area) it would send like electrical shocks that seemed to travel to the back of my head. When I went to the neurosurgeon for my follow up he indicated I have developed TN. He told me it was not due to the surgery. I have a hard time believing this and find it very ironic that I developed this problem after the surgery. From what I have read about TN, it appears that I have a mild form. I do not suffer from intense pain unless I touch the trigger point. The questions I have are: Can TN be triggered by neck surgery? Does pain increase the longer you have TN? Any information anyone has would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!
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Hi MMBell, Sorry you are having this discomfort. I am not an expert in "anything" but I too have suffered similar. My bout started with dental work and it was dental work that was the start of my five years of misery.
The first thing I would do is talk to your doctor to see if he can recommend a neurologist that can thoroughly evaluate you. If you truly have Classic TN, a trial of Tegrotol is a very good diagostic tool. With this med you must be monitored often as there are side effects but most people do get relief or good relief with this medication. Normally, this med will not work well with A-Typical TN which some docs call Atypical Facial Neuralgia. There are other meds available also that are good diagnostic tools.
TN can start secondary to trauma/surgical procedures but usually the trauma/surgery is higher up, i.e. dental, plastic facial surgery, Sinus surgery and one lady I know got this from a biopsy of her lower lip.
I am adding a link for a Facial Pain Survey you may be interested in.
http://facial-neuralgia.org/research.../fpsurvey.html
Again, talk with your physician. I wish you well.