As another person has posted about, ATN, generally speaking, means there is no compressed nerve in the brain. This means that MVD surgery is VERY unlikely to help as it would almost be luck for the surgeon to find a compressed nerve. Those with TN, often have a compressed nerve that shows up on an MRI and they are fortunate in that an MVD (brain surgery!) often does help.

I've heard Dr. Janetta is one of the best.

I've heard, again, that medication is very likely the best tx for ATN.

For the person whose father has migraines, Topamax, is FDA approved for migraines and is very effective. I take 50 mgs daily for my migraines and it has helped. I would take more, but it causes memory loss. When I get an actual migraine, the medication Imitrex is awesome. It can also be taken in a low dosage...like 50 mgs

Neurontin, Lyrica, Elavil...are all meds to try for ATN. It often takes a combination of meds to get some relief. I'm on several. We just added Baclofen and I'm very happy with it. I was having great trouble driving in the car previously and this med has helped to make that better. (Car travel over about thirty minutes triggered more ATN pain for me).