Trigeminal Neuralgia Support Group

I am also on Trileptal because I failed all the other drugs. I had the gamma knife on both sides of my face because I have it bilaterally due to MS. Unfortunately it did not work for me. The screws did hurt but the actual procedure did not hurt, it's like an MRI. Hope this helps. Michellet1967

I had the Gamma Knife 8/07 It did not work at all. They gave me Versed IV and lidocaine injections before screwing in the halo. I really didn't feel much and was so drugged I forgot about it. They said it did flare an attack when they screwed into my R temple but I was onli semi conscious for the whole ordeal. Like I said though no luck for me. I just had the MVD in Jan and it has helped some but not completely yet.

I just had the GN procedure done on Tuesday. I just returned to work today. I opted for GN because it is not invasive, the recovery time is quick, and it can be repeated if needed. The head frame placement was not as painful as I thought. They do screw it down to the skull, but you are medicated so you don't even know it is happening (those meds do not work for me, so that was painful for me). Once the frame is in place, you do a 15 minute MRI, the team does their planning. The treatment for me lasted 25 minutes. Normally, it would have lasted longer, but they had just replaced their cobalt source. They put in a CD I brought along and I listened to some of my favorite music. They said I would not smell anything, but I could smell burning flesh. But, I did not feel anything. When the treatment was over, they removed the frame. I drank some mountain dew and went home. My TN pain was gone completely. It did come back slightly. This is day 2 after the procedure and I am just a little tired, otherwise I feel great. I am on topamax 400mg BID and lyrica 75mg BID. I am tapering off lyrica down to 75mg daily starting tomorrow for one week and then I will be off that for good. I go back to see the neurosurgeon in six weeks and then again at six months. If I maintain this level, I would consider it excellent pain control. I have no numbness and I wouldn't even consider this pain, more of a slight annoyance. Studies have shown the GN is most effective if it is used before other surgical procedures have been used and the effects are more successful and felt sooner as well. Check out this sudy: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticl...

My father was taking well over the maximum daily dose of neuratin and had the gamma knife done. He was painfree for 4 1/2 years. The TN came back so he just went and had the gamma knife done again. That was early December and he is still pain free. He wants me to have it done as well, but I'm not maxing my meds and do not have frequent attacks for the most part.
I would recomment it. I know he sure does!
Good luck!