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Wayne Little, TN Patient

His Personal Story

   
 

Late Dec. 2000, I noticed a very light tickling on my right sideburn. After about two weeks I could not touch my upper right lip, was having lightning sharp pains, difficulty in chewing food in normal bite size & some speech problems.

Jan 2001, I made an appointment to see our Primary Care Physician.  I explained the problems I was having, then he asked some questions & he said it is Trigeminal Neuralgia. The Dr. prescribed Tegretol 100 MG, one tablet per day.

By June I was taking the max which was 3 tablets 4XDaily. On this visit he said he would have to refer me to a neurologist. He also ordered an MRI which were negative for brain tumors.

July 7 the neurologist prescribed Neurontin with Max. tegretol. I took Neurontin for ten days with many side effects. I called the doctor & medication was stopped.

July 27th the neurologist prescribed Amitriptyline. This medication worked out better.

Note: Before seeing the Neurologist I had read the first edition* of Striking Back!  The Trigeminal Neuralgia Handbook. Extremely helpful.

Oct. Ist the neurologist and I discussed the possibility of having one of the procedures done that are available for TN patients, especially the Gamma Knife, at my age, 79.

Jan. 11 2005 a meeting was set up at the hospital.  I discussed the Gamma Knife procedure with two doctors.

Jan. 12, 2005 I had the Gamma Knife Procedure, with a MRI that showed a problem with blood vessels & Trigeminal nerve.

Feb 2 2005 follow up visit a doctor and all medications gradually removed, taking about one a month. No pain at this time, no medication.

April 6th 2005 Re-visit with with doctor.  No pain & no medication

I would like to thank the TN Association for all their help & Support Group for hours of information.

*There is a NEW edition of Striking Back.......Striking Back! The Trigeminal Neuralgia and Face Pain Handbook.  Published in 2004, this 528 page edition contains updated and expanded information and is considered the TN and Face Pain "Bible."  It is much more comprehensive than the book TNA published in 2000.  To read more about the book, click here

Updated 11-28-05