Posted by Nancy on June 07, 1999 at 23:23:57:
In Reply to: Gamma Knife? Butcher nerves? posted by Carl D on June 07, 1999 at 19:20:35:
There is no cutting. Gamma Knife uses radiation on the nerve. It damages the nerve in just the right spot so that the pain signal can't get thru. They use an MRI to pinpoint the right spot. You don't feel a thing and can go home the same day.
What I understand there is no dropping of the face and only small amt of numbness that goes away.
The lady you talked to who had TN must of had an MVD, it's brain surgery. Alot of people with TN are now going the Gamma Knife. You take your chance with an MVD. I'm glad her pain has not come back but I've heard of it coming back, even after 2yrs. And some people end up with pain worst than they had before and lots of numbness. They are numb but with pain all the time (AD) and there isn't much a doctor can do for them. But there are those who it does help.
As far as I know they don't do a MVD for clusters, but are doing the Gamma Knife.
I've never heard of Doc Dunn. The doctor who started the MVD is Dr. Peter Jannetta of Pitts. Pa. I understand he is the best at MVD for TN. There are lots of doctors who do it.
But the most important thing is to ask a doctor how many has he done and ask to talk to some who they did the surgery on!!
I have NEVER heard of TN being like clusters, never!!!!!! TN is like lighting bolts in the face, only lasting seconds at a time, many times a day. Usually set off by something, brushing teeth, wind, touch, eatting, talking ect. There is also ATN, atypical TN, that there is pain all the time.
IMHO, clusters might involve the Trigeminal Nerve but clusters and TN are very very different.