NeuroTalk Support Groups

Hi:
I have suffered from Trigeminal Neuralgia on the left side of my face for about 3 years. I was initially diagnosed within 5 minutes of my first visit to my family doctor who gave me samples of newrontin to start taking. They offered immediate help with the pain but I had to increase the dosage over the course of the next year and half to where I wanted a cure not pills from now on. About a year ago I went to Birminghan, Al to the Kirklin Clinic and say Dr. Fisher who performed a Gamma Knife procedure on me. The results were disappointing in that I received little if any relief for a period of maybe 4 weeks. I recently when to Charleston, SC to find out what my option might be. Dr. Worthington wants to do a Balloon Compression Rhizotomy if the current medication doesn't work. I am currently taking Lyrica 75mg 3 times a day and after about 4 days it appears to be working.

My big question I would like to ask is; Has anybody suffering TN ever been treated with the Alcohol Injection to the face. I have a friend that use to suffer with TN and went to the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham, Al about 10 years ago and was given a Alcohol shot to the face that immediately stopped the pain. He had to go back about 5 weeks later and had the shot repeated as he was starting to get small pain. The second shot was the last treatment he has had in over 10 years and he is free of pain to this day. He suffers NO after effects.
Thank you