I am not sure about what you are referring to when you say nerve blocks and pain flashbacks. I was just recently diagnosed and so I would appreciate knowing what those terms mean. Thanks!

The nerve block is a procedure done in a pain clinic. They will give you a mild sedation and they inject steroid into the Trigeminal nerves. The shots are given into your cheek, chin and by the back of your jaw.

The procedure itself is different for every person and their pain level. For me it's very difficult because the shot is very deep into these areas. Like other steroid injections.

I was wondering if anyone else felt the way I did. I'm very brave at the procedure and later I break down in tears.... I don't want to make anyone afraid of this because it does work... I just need to know how to deal with the sadness afterward.

I'm sorry you have TN and their are many treatments for this. My Doctor told me not to worry there are many solutions and they will pick the best for my condition. My pain is constant and does not stop. The nerve block soo out weighs the constant pain. I got three months of peace from the last two.

What plan does your physician suggested to you?

Welcome to our little family. Although, I am sorry that you are in pain. Please let me be the first to state the obvious, TN sucks! But we are all here to help.

I find it interesting that you are the second person to mention "nerve blocks" this week and I have never heard of this procedure for TN before. I have done a tremendous amount of research on TN and have not run across this procedural option. How long do these blocks work? What kind of Dr. performs them?

When you say "Pain flashback" are you talking about "phantom pains?"

So, you're Irish, now I know why I don't wear my feelings on my sleeve. I always wondered where that came from. Thanks for the insight.

I look forward to hearing from you with answers to my queries. I am wishing you pain free days ahead.
T

Sorry, I was in the middle of my reply - got interrupted then hit add and your reply to Shalee popped up with the questions I had.

Again, I have Never heard of using nerve blocks for TN.

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry for your pain! I do not have health insurance, so I was able to see a general practioner using financial aid and was given gabapentin, baclofen and naproxen. The side effects are horrible but the pain attacks have lessened. I have bilateral TN and so my next step is seeing a neurologist to see if I am eligible for the Gamma Knife surgery. So, now I am just trying to get by until mid November when my appointment is. One of my medicines are causing me to have extreme sadness. Out of the blue, for no certain reason, I will get very sad, my eyes will tear up and I will get a panicky feeling. So I am empathetic to your feelings of sadness. I have been taking a 5-HTP vitamin , which is used to increase positive moods. I feel like this has been helping me. I found it at Walmart. Maybe this could be a natural option for you to try?

Hi Shalee81,

The nerve block is done at a pain clinic by an Anestegeologist they also preform back epidorals and other pain shots.

In Boston there are many of these clinics. Also if your pain comes and goes this may not be for you. Flash back is not pain but remembering the procedure... and feeling sad.. maybe the meds. I dunno? The nerve block lasted 3 months!!! A beautiful pain free 3 months
See web page below
http://facial-neuralgia.org/treatments/surgical/nerveblock.html

Wow.. Sorry to hear Shalee108 about your insurance.. Massachusetts offers Mass Health to people without insurance..and they cover just about everything.. I'm still working, but holding on with a string... Bi-lateral.. Wow that is hard... Hard to cope.. does it flare up at once? or intermittent ?

It flares up one side at a time, thank God, because if it happened at the same time, I don't think I'd be able to handle it. I had no where to turn after being denied Medicaid, and growing hospital bills and luckily I found the name of a lady who is the Manager of the Gamma Knife Center at a local hospital in Atlanta. I wrote her an email asking for ANY type of help..maybe even a clinical study I could get into..just to get free help. She referred me to a healthcare center who offers financial aid. I'm still having to pay but it is pretty reasonable. That woman is my angel and I hope to one day thank her in person. My only worry is that I get the surgery on one side and the other one starts up..but I try not to think about that and worry myself before I see what the Neurologist says!

That's good it's only one side at a time..I heard good things about the gamma knife... it may be the way to go... Your smart to think outside the box and write them directly... I hope it works out for you, then you can share with us how great you feel !!!!! :)

Gamma knife surgery scares me. Isn't it irreversible? Can't phantom pain persist afterwards?

Not Afraid,
In answer to your question about phantom pain after gamma knife surgery. I believe it is called "anesthesia Delorosa", which I also hear can be worse than TN. there is a support group for them on this site - I hope you'll check it out and ask them questions too.

Most Drs will NOT perform gamma knife surgery until after all other avenues have been exhausted because, it is irreversible, as you stated. It's irreversible because they actually attempt to destroy the nerve. Whereas MVD SAVES the nerve.

Initially our neurologist referred us to a neurosurgeon for Gamma Knife surgery, but once we talked to the surgeon, he recommended MVD first, then if that fails try the Gamma Knife. We got a second opinion from a completely different Dr - he concurred.

I don't know about the Gamma Knife surgery but the percentage of good outcomes vary. My Doctor was talking about TENS which is a large metal helmet that shoots electricity directly to the nerves but the side effect is permanent loss of sensation but not droopy.... that nerve is elsewhere and will not be effected. I have to research this.. I did one more nerve block to carry me to Dec so that I can apply for flma again to try to fix this... Anyone know about TENS?

Boston,
Start a new thread asking for info on TENS - I know that there is at least one person on this site that has done that, just can't remember who it is. If you post it, they will come. LOL
Much luck!
T

Hi.. Nerve block still working... just little electric shock like pain but very faint.. Doing well I hope this last as long as the last one!!