Microvascular Decompression

Hi, You have yours 3 days before me!  Mine will be at Kings on the 15th May   Really hoping it works as I'm sure you are too.  Wouldn't it be great not to have TN, I've forgotten what a pain free and drug free life is like!  I have asked the surgeon very little about the op which I am starting to regret.  I'm heavily reliant on the internet for info and those wonderful (albeit a bit naff) MVD films.  I'm expecting 1-2 hours and have been told by Kings that my stay will be 5/7 days.  Need to be out under a week though as my son's last primary sports day is 7 days later!  However, as I have been to work on several occasions in severe pain in the past 6-8 years, and moderate pain most other times, I will be taking all the time off afterwards that I can and recuperate properly!  I really hope all goes well with your op and will keep everything crossed for the both of us.   Marie

Hi Marie,

Thank you for sending me a message . I really really hope all goes well with yours! I was the same I asked very little info about it but my husband was sure the consultant/surgeon said it was around 6 hours long which I thought sounded a little long but on other hand they have found a complication with me, some how iv got it on the left and right branch but instead of the archery going over it's under the nerve and the surgeon says it makes things more complicated and the risks are a lot higher ie stroke and he said that it was extremely rare to have it the way I have so fingers crossed all goes well but I was that taken back by it all I couldn't ask questions as nothing was coming out. The surgeon thinks iv had tn about 10 years but gone undiagnosed as the drs kept blaming it on stress, I'm 29 and not a stress sort if person! I hope we both have success and be rid of tn for the max 10 years!!. Please make sure you rest afterwards and do not run before you can walk as we will have better chance of it working well . Iv had to finish work as has the tn has got to the stage where the pains there all the time badly and I keep passing out due to the pain. The drs have me on morphine but don't always work and plus I have a 2 year old son to look after so not a ideal situation. I hope you have plenty of help throughout the whole duration. This operation is going to transform our life's and we will be able to go outside in the rain/wind and be able to eat instead of drinking food . You have all the luck and best wishes in the world from me. Would be lovely to know how you get on xx

Hay just thought I'd let you know iv been for the pre op today and the surgeon said from start to finish mine will be 5-6 hours! So god only knows what there doing and I don't dare ask

Hi,  Hope all went well?  Mine was cancelled!  Kings has Norovirus at the moment.  My consultant only works one day a week so god knows when I'll get mine.  Let me know how the op went and hopefully you're pain free??

Hello,

Sorry it's been so long. My surgery went ok thanks But the recovery has been a battle. I have had problems with the nerves and muscles as something a little hard to explain didn't go as planned. They said it would settle within a few weeks but ended up back in again and then again they gave me medication and said it would be another couple of weeks but I'm around 3 months on and not been a day without a headache not sure if this is normal. How did yours go? Well I hope! and again sorry for the delay x

Oh dear, doesn't sound as if you're having a great time.  I hope they can sort the headaches out.  I gather the TN pain has gone though?  My MVD is this Friday (21st)!  Really don't know what to expect as everyone seems to have had different experiences.  Just hope my surgeon has a steady hand!

Regards, Marie

Thank you for replying, that's very fast compared to what I thought it may be. Hope your wife is well. Thank you

Thinking of you this week kenleigh and wishing you a smooth journey and successful outcome

You're so sweet, thank you! I'll be sure to update how it went and try to document the recovery process a bit.

Excellent news.  6 hours......wow.  Hope mine is a lot quicker!  Take it easy x

You mentioned the numbness & deafness in your right year. I also have numbness on the right side of my face and tongue. Also have deafness or tinnitus in my ear. Operation was the 4th May numbness is improving and dbl vision has improved. There has been no improvement in hearing. Just wondering if your hearing has improved at all ? No TN pain any longer which is great. 

Hi ann 

unfortunately my hearing hasn't returned as of yet. Glad to hear that some numbness is improving . But I am pleased that I also have no TN pain .

Hi Kim, thanks for responding to me. Fantastic that you have no TN pain. I am wondering if the surgeon was able to tell you why you lost your hearing, and if this is permanent or will improve over time also. My surgeon was quite surprised about loss of hearing or what the cause is. I have Tinnitus in my ear , which is quite distressing at times. Thanks .

My husband had his surgery on June 8, 2015. The surgeon told him in advance that there was a possibility he could lose his hearing  permanently. Doctor said they have to be very careful not to bump the hearing nerve (cochlear nerve).  My husband did not lose his hearing. But the doctor said if he did he could have a cochlear ear  implant.