ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: lauralynn on June 03, 2009, 03:04:56 pm
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I am wondering if anyone having had the AN removed, has had severe pain in the face? I am asking for my friend, lauralynn-she had surgery on april 14, and came home without pain meds-no severe pain...now almost 2 months later- out of no where, the left side of her face, mainly just above the corner of her eyebrow - she has pain so severe she tells me it is just unbearable. if you have chatted with her or know anything about her situation she is very strong and has a very high tolerance to pain. she is hoping it is maybe the nerves waking up??? any input on this? - we are headed to the ER because, after several attempts she has not yet been able to reach her doctor.
kris
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Kris ~
I'm afraid that I have no real explanation for Lauralynn's sudden facial pain (very likely nerve-related) but I just wanted to offer my hope and prayer that she'll quickly find relief at the ER. Let us know what happens. Thanks.
Jim
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I suffer from terrible facial pain. Last night was just dreadful, it was the worst pain I have ever experienced. Mine started immediately after surgery, almost three years ago. Please have your PM me.
Anne Marie
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Unfortunately, it almost sounds like trigeminal neuralgia-like pain. I truly hope she found relief through the ER!
Let us know.
Clarice
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Anne Marie, what type of surgery did you have? Gamma Knife, FSR, Cyberknife, cut-in-the head?
Sharon
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Sharon,
I had a translab Sept '06. So I guess you could say a cut in the head. Cute, that made me smile. My tumour is on my facial nerve and it was only debulked. I will need a nerve graft one of these days. So I am also a watch and wait until that day approaches. I have suffer from headaches since I was a kid. The headaches got worst the moment I woke up from surgery and the facial pain started that day and has been getting progressively worse ever since.
Please do not let all the problems I've been having discourage you from a decision. Mine is a very unique case. My original Dr was not prepared for what he found when he cut me open. I got rid of him after I joined this lovely, supportive forum. There really is strength in knowledge and numbers!
Anne Marie
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Anne Marie, I'm so sorry. I know what the pain is like and it is not fun. Does any drug or combination of drugs help?
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Sharon,
To answer your question, yes I do take a combination of drugs. Effexor, neurontin, toradol, ativan, Excedrin Migraine, Advil T-3's......some days anything I can get my hands on. Lots of hot and cold packs. Lots of rest. The fatigue is a combination of drugs and tumour.
I have an appointment Dec 11 with a Pain Clinic. I live in Canada and with what I have being rare, and I'm not dying, I have to be patient and wait. I'm very worried about my liver. My family physician is suppose to watch my liver function, but I feel like I'm always bothering him.
At the moment I am on long term disability from work. I worked for a little over 19 months after my surgery. I do not know how I did it. I was in continuous pain, exhausted and mentally distraught. I am thankful my family physician realised I was beginning to crumble and put me off.
Anne Marie
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I've been on effexor for almost 6 months. It was recommended by my neurosurgeon when I showed up balling in his office over the pain.
He asked about effexor.
I take it everyday partly b/c I was scared of what would happen if I didn't take it daily.
It has helped.
It's totally wiped out my panic attacks I was getting driving on the expressway.
Unfortunately the imitrex does not work like it used to so I need to find something else to help kill the pain if it gets too bad.
Also very very hormonally linked.
I am curious if anyone has gotten an image (MRI) of the trigeminal nerve to see what type of damage is done. It was recommended last fall but
I haven't followed up with it.
Mary
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The "test" they give to see if it's Trigeminal Neuralgia is to prescribe Tegretol (carbamazapine) If it helps, then the Trigeminal nerve is involved. For me it was like magic, though now I need double the dose.
Sharon