I want to share my story with you all, because after all I went through for 7 years of agonizing
pain, literally tens of thousands of dollars and weeks absent from work, I really don’t want
anybody else to go through what I went through.
I had an atypical TN case, which was very hard to diagnose because it was complicated with a
case of TMJ. Of course, when everything started, no doctor could figure out what was wrong
with me. Because the pain was very bothersome, without the “electric shock” sensation, I was
been treated for everything you could imagine: dental, sinus infection, ear infection, etc… As
months and years went by, the pain escalated to sharp pains with long valleys of generalized dull
pain all over the right side of my face.
During my third year with the condition, the clicking on the jaw started; clear indication of TMJ.
I went to a few doctors until I zeroed-in onto a “neuromuscular dentist” that worked on noninvasive
procedures to realign the bite and release pressure on the joint. That healing process for
this was very slow, but effective. In about 2.5 years the pain produced by the joint diminished
completely, including the clicking sound of the jaw.
On the other hand, the sharp “electric pain” attacks continue to increase in intensity and
frequency. It was not until the TMJ pain started to subside that it was obvious that a case of TN
was also in the midst. I visited a total of 3 neurologists. Medication after medication failed on
me only after several months of usage. First was Neurontin and then Carbatrol (plus prednisone
and vicodin).
Just this last November, 2006 after the TN attacks started occurring every other month and lasting
for about a week, it was necessary to take another course of action. I felt that I was becoming
incapacitated and not able to work any longer. After a successful career for 23 years, I was ready
to call the quits, since absenteeism was already damaging my professional image.
After searching the web for a solution to my problem, I came across TNA’s national website at
www.endthepain.org. I learned a lot about the different surgical procedures available and I
decided that MVD was the most appropriate for me. I selected a neurosurgeon in my area, based
on his experience and the reputation of the hospital, and agreed to go under. When the surgeon
opened me up, he was surprised to find that cranial nerve #5 (the one responsible for TN) was
very afflicted: it looked very thin and surrounded by a “forest” of veins and arteries, according to
him.
It has been 7 month since the surgery, and I have been blessed because now I’m truly free of pain,
of both TN and TMJ. And more important, I have been medication free for the first time in 7
years as well!
Updated 9-11-07 |
