And more:
I saw the Neurosurgeon yesterday. All is good. We're just monitoring some incision issues right now but everything else is great.

No follow up scheduled! (unless things change, of course!)
woohoo!

now....let's start getting that ole' life back!

CAT

I have read 100s of posts in several forums regarding MVD ops. Your post stating your doc severed the nerve is the first I've read as using that as part of the surgical plan. I'm sure you 'now' have learned that all vessels are padded and the nerve is isolated from contact from any of the vessels. I'm very sorry to hear you've had a bad experience.

I'm scheduled to have an MVD op in 7 days with a surgeon who has performed several hundred MVD ops. When I asked him about severing the nerve he said that is the last thing he wanted to do as it would most likely cause more pain. Like you said, everyone should seek a tried and true expert in TN ops and ask good questions about the after effects.

Wishing you pain-free days!

I just want to clarify that this post is referring to someone else (Jess78) who responded to mine. NO NERVE WAS SEVERED in my MVD. My neurosurgeon said he would never sever a nerve due to the permanent repurcussions of doing so.
CAT

And just for an update: I'm doing good. Some residual nerve damage at the front of my jaw from the dental surgeries. They are manageable. The MONSTER is GONE!!!

I so much Love reading .." .The MONSTER IS GONE"
AMEN .
PEACE
BMW

me too!!

Thank you Tim.

How great to hear that you haven't had pain since May 2006 (is that the date of your MVD?). Yes, Miracles DO HAPPEN. We have to set aside our fears sometimes in order to achieve them, though.

My Neurosurgeon said that the MVD is one of the best forms of treatment for TN. Yet his concern is that so many wait too long to go that route: they try every other treatment available first, because of the fear of surgery near the brain....And the odds of success in the MVD diminish after about the 4 year point...so many people are suffering and yet there IS a fix.

I am amazed at my life post-MVD. It's BACK.

WOO HOOOO

Cat

tHAT'S GREAT!

They say MVD's are most successful if done within 4 to 7 years of onset of TN. After that, the success rates go down. My Neuro says "the sooner the better" and not just because its a better chance of success, but because the patient can get their life back".
So glad to hear you got "No Pain, No Pain"!! woo hoo!
CAT

WOO HOOO!

Happy Anniversary to Me!!

It is 7 months tomorrow since my MVD and I am thrilled to report that the TN is gone. I still get occasional pain in my teeth that is related to my bruxism/grinding at night but a good mouth guard has made all the difference in the world.

Just thought I'd put out an update.



CAT

Love this update Cat.
woo hooo is right!

PEACE
BMW