Posted by Barbara D. on February 04, 1999 at 10:51:45:
In Reply to: Re: I Just Gotta Tell You About This Doc I Saw Today posted by Phil on February 04, 1999 at 06:17:26:
The surgery is called, Stereotactic Radiofrequency Trigeminal Rhizotomy (or something like that). A needle is inserted on the outside of the cheek and pushed up thru a little hole in the skull behind the eye where the "roots" of the trigiminal nerve meet. (They're x-raying while this is going on to see that the needle is in the right place). Then they "zap" the little buggers with heat (kinda like a microwave - from the inside out). They keep waking you up and sticking pins in your face to make sure they've killed the feeling in certain parts of your face. Once the feeling is gone and the nerve is dead, hopefully no more pain!
The downside is half your face will be numb - including 1/2 your tongue (that's the one that I hadn't thought about.) It's drastic, but since, in my case, meds don't work, I'd rather be numb than to go on with this pain. The success rate is about 80/20 or a little higher. Dr. said for those Chronic CHers who can't get them under control with meds, it's a way out of pain. Just think ... in two weeks, I'M GONNA HAVE A LIFE! Hope I'll be able to handle it - it's been so long. If you want any more info, e-mail me and I'll send you his brochure. Hugs BD