Mark’s Story

Site created on September 29, 2018

5 years ago I started having periodic severe pain in my right ear. After several visits to  the dentist, ENT specialist and multiple Neurologists it was discovered through multiple MRIs and CT scans that I had acquired Trigeminal Neuralgia as well as Nervus Intermedius Neuralgia. This condition is thought to be a blood vessel that is resting on a nerve which wears down the mylin covering of the nerve. This allows the nerve to misfire and creat this unbearable facial pain. On Oct 3rd 2018 I will undergo what is called Microvascular Decompression. This is a type of brain surgery where the Neurosurgeon will attempt to place a Teflon padding in between the offending blood vessel and nerve. Please follow my story for updates on the surgery and recovery. Thank you everyone for your love and support!!! Stay tuned.... 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Amy Gagne

Well, I had my follow up appointment with my Neurosurgeon today. As you are aware, I have been having vertigo, weakness, double vision and some ear pain back. My Neurosurgeon stated that he did everything he could regarding my Trigeminal Neuralgia. He found my Superior Cerebral Artery pressing up against my Trigeminal Nerve as well as a large blood vessel. He fixed both by placing Teflon padding to keep them off my nerve. There was however an issue with another nerve called nervus Intermedius. This is a very tiny nerve that rests between my 7th and 8th cranial nerves. Initially it was hoped that he would find this nerve and resect it. As it turns out... .this procedure was too risky to perform. Dr. Kalia stated that he would not mess with this nerve and he did everything he could surgically.

My next move is to go see my Neurologist to see if I can manage the pain as well as these other symptoms. My Neurosurgeon felt that perhaps my medication is enhancing my symptoms of vertigo, double vision and tiredness. A few more weeks of recovery and let's see where this goes! 

Prior to surgery I was at 2 to 3/10 facial pain that was constant that increased to 10+ on flair-ups. I am now pain free with periods of 10+ flair-ups about 2 to 3 times a week. Let's hope the healing process decreases this as I go along.

Thanks for checking in and all of your love & support. 

Mark
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