[Karen B]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to decide whether to have a radio-frequency rhizotomy and was hoping someone could share their experience with me.

I have typical TN and right now I am using Lyrica, botox and capsaicin. The botox keeps me so I can function, but for only about a month and a half at a time on a three month treatment cycle. I am in pain most of the day (chewing, drinking, talking, etc) but I can deal with the level of pain most of the time. The pain attacks are only a few seconds long, but I probably have several hundred a day.

I am hoping the rhizotomy will help, even if I can decrease the amount of meds. My Neuro does not want to do an MVD as there is no obvious compression on my CT scan.

I would love to hear rhizotomy experiences; good and bad. I wonder if perhaps because I am reasonably functional (I can work, visit friends, pretend I am not in pain,etc) whether I should be happy with the level I am at. The pain is draining so it is hard not to hope there is some cure out there.

I appreciate your help