Microvascular Decompression

I had the operation on 21 June at Frenchay Hospital. It has been a fantastic success. The worst

part was the effect of the general anaesthetic (vomiting) later that night. I felt no pain or discomfort - no need for paracetamol even. I was discharged after 48hours and told to report to my GPs' surgery to have the 27

staples removed after a week. As well as staples over the cut there were 4 on the top of my head which had been screwed to the operating table to keep me motionless. I was td mnot to wash my hair for 3/4 days and than to use a mild shampoo eg Simple.The actual scar is about 5cm long and is now covered by hair. If

you watched the american film on YouTube you know what's in store!. There is also an

old TV series made in 2006 called Brain Doctors about the pioneering work of the Bristol Frenchay hospital.

I hope this may be of some use.

Good Luck I'm sure you won't regret it.

Could you tell me where Frenchay hospital is please and whether it was private or nhs as this is possible surgery that could help my daughter

Thank you

I hope surgery goes well for you

Frenchay Hospital is an NHS hospital in Bristol. It has a very good reputation in MVD surgeries, both for HFS and TN sufferers. I had my MVD surgery done at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in central London. I was operated on Tuesday morning and discharged on Sunday that same week. It was a lot less painful than I imagined. At no time did my pain level go above 4-5 on a scale of 1 to 10. An oral dose of morphine takes away whatever pain there was within minutes. I was able to walk unaided from day 1 post-surgery. By day 8 I did not need any more painkiller. Fully recovered physically within 2 months, but unfortunately my spasms remain although about 30-40% better than pre-surgery.

Hi

I had TN for 5 years steadily getting worse and worse untill i couldnt function with the pain and drugs.

I had my MVD in july 2011 and all went well initially.

But due to some complications i contracted meningitus. 4 lumbar punctures and 2 weeks in hospital later i was fine no symptoms no TN and off the tablets.

Now nearly two years later i have started to have the occasional "Shock and pain" this time on the same side but in my front teeth and top lip. I am so so worried, dont know how i will cope if it develops into what it was two years ago, off to the Docs. tomorrow to see my options.

What a terrible story Neilupand down. I do hope you can sort things out.It sounds as if the nerves covering

the front of the face are affected.

I had my MVD operation in June 2011 at Frenchay hospital, Bristol and touching wood and crossing

everything I haven't had any pain since then. The operation was 100% successful. I am so grateful to

everyone who made it possible.

In passing I would like to add that the side effects of the medication (Tegritol first & then Trileptal) that I took

for 3 years before the operation, have finally disappeared. My memory is back to what it used to be (!) and I

no longer fall over.

My wife had an MVD 15 months ago by a surgeon from Frenchay and has been fine since. Living in Wales, we could not get referred to Bristol Frenchay so went private at Bristol Spire. Surgeon was great.

I love hearing about the many successes of getting surgery. I had a different surger  because of the MS problem.  It was a radiofrequency surgery where they put a needle into my cheek and "fried" the affected trigeminal nerve, the one in my jaw.  They burned it once a year ago, it came back and they did it again harder (hotter) and it is doing great so far. It has been 8 months of painfree so far.  The doc who did it is very experienced and has done lots of these plus the one you guys had.  I am in the US (Oregon).  i like that people are getting help in the UK.  I like hearing success stories.  It is good for the soul.  Thanks for sharing everyone.

Hi LoopyLee, the surgeon we had was Nik Patel who has done over 200 of these MVDs. Its not cheap, 2 years ago we forked out in the region of £15000 overall including scans, consultations and the op. Nik operated out of Frenchays (NHS) as well as Spire (private). Do all your own research and contact the Trigeminal Nuearlgia Association and be sure its what you need and want. Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

Since the op, my wife gets occasional 'twinges' which I put down to the nerve, which is a huge bundle of fibres, destressing itself from the days it was being pushed out of shape by the blood vessels. (3 in my wifes case).

Go here for a nice story

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread2052.html

Yet another example of the mess the Welsh NHS is in.

I HOPE YOUR OPERATION WAS A SUCCESS.  i HAVE JUST UNDERGONE THIS 2 WEEKS AGO. aa GOOD RECOVERY SO FAR ALL BUT NUMBNESS TO FACE PAIN FREE SO FAR.