MVD Surgery

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lily's Mommy on October 11, 2011 at 9:29pm

Call your neurosurgeon that did your MVD.  My daughter was still taking pain narcotics when she left the hospital. But, she didn't have to take them very long. I think it was just under a week. We piggy-backed Tylenol and Motrin (after a certain period of time post-op). The only other meds she was on, was her anti-seizure meds. Those were slowly tappered off over a long period of time. Good luck healing!

Permalink Reply by Andy Anthony on October 11, 2011 at 11:17pm

Dear VMarch,

Every person has different results right after and up to months down the road.  I am not even close to a doctor, but I would definitely speak to your neurologist and the surgeon.  Unfortunately they both may say that you just need to give it time.  But they don't have to endure what we do.  With that said, I was given equivalent to Vicodene and used it for the first 3-4 days, tapering off each day as the headaches/overall head trauma aches one would expect from such an invasive surgery.   I have heard so many different results from, Instant pain relief as in my case and others, to still having pain for weeks then going away, to still having pain and not going away, but is better managed by the drugs you were originally taking.  I don't mean to diminish your hopes, please keep praying and having as much patience as you can.  In the interim, call your doctors ( I don't think your family doctor will give you any help (unless you are truly having some kind of ear infection (which is possible)  It looks like you have been 10 days or so removed from the surgery.  What you didn't mention in your initial message was whether your TN was on the right side or left, if it was the left, then yes see your normal doctor per possible infected ear, if it is the same side, then I would see/call/talk to my neurologist and/or surgeon.  I hope this helps at least give you some direction.  Please remember I am so far removed from giving you advice as a doctor would, but as a patient myself.

 

Sincerely,

Andy

Permalink Reply by doowni on October 13, 2011 at 9:37am

I had my MVD surgery on 8/22/11. I am just now feeling really good and feeling that the surgery was worth it. I was taking 2 anti seizure meds. I am now almost tapered off the second. I still have a few pains at the incision site. I was sent home with some heavy duty pain meds , which i took only when i really needed it. I suggest you call the surgeon and talk to him about your pain.

My surgeon is wonderful. If anyone has any questions about MVD surgeons you should google Dr. Jeffrey Brown in New York.

Permalink Reply by kg on November 14, 2011 at 10:51pm

I had my MVD in 2009 and went home with Dilaudid, a pretty strong pain-killer.  I had severe pain from the halo and screws.  Some places don't use a halo, others do, but I was still taking pain medicine for two weeks, also tapered off Gabapentin.  A couple weeks after surgery, I awoke in the middle of the night, felt like a red hot needle flew into my ear.  Same side as surgery. Never has TN pain like it.  It happened one more time, then not again in 2 years.

Everyone's recovery story is different.  It's nice to be able to read other's experiences and ask questions.  I'm new to the site, but happy to answer any questions from my point of experience.  kg

Permalink Reply by Kristin Forrester on November 24, 2011 at 10:12pm

How long did you have to stay in the hospital?  I am going in for MVD on Dec. 15th.

Permalink Reply by doowni on November 24, 2011 at 10:14pm

I was in Nuero ICU for Three and 1/2 days then I was able to go home....I had no halo though...I need to warn you that your head will feel like someone bounced your brain around in it for a lil while, but that feeling goes away and you will slowly feel better than you have in a long time!

Kristin Forrester said:

How long did you have to stay in the hospital?  I am going in for MVD on Dec. 15th.

Permalink Reply by Kristin Forrester on November 24, 2011 at 10:23pm

thanks for the info.

Permalink Reply by ravenm on November 30, 2011 at 5:20pm

I had mine on 11/7/2011. I was sent home with Percocet, and I had Viocodin from my aneurysm repair on stand by. I was in the hospital 4 1/2 days and was not prepared for the experience. I have tapered off the pain meds ( took about 4-5 days), and use ibuprofen and tylenol now. If I have a real pain issue it is usually linked to stiff neck or the incision site and I have the option of going stronger. I have been completely off of the neurontin after being on 3600-4800 mg. daily for over a year so I feel this is a success, just more intense then I expected.

Permalink Reply by Kristin Forrester on December 1, 2011 at 7:51am

Thanks for sharing your experience.      I am still so nervous.  I hope I can get thru all of this ok.   Just being off of the neurontin 2700mg a day will be great to get my mind back.   I am so glad there are nice people like you I can talk to.  I will share my progress with everyone to maybe help someone else.  :)

Permalink Reply by cybercat on December 6, 2011 at 4:06pm

I'm having an MVD on Dec. 20 with Dr. Sekula in PA.  I live in Texas so I'll be flying up there and back.  Anybody have problems on an airplane after an MVD?

Permalink Reply by Kristin Forrester on December 6, 2011 at 8:47pm

I have cancelled my surgery that was for Dec. 15th.  With Christmas so close and being so broke this time of year.  Thinking of spring if I can hold out that long.?  did you hear good things of this Dr. Sekula in PA?  That is 10hours from me.  Quite a hike for me also.  Not as far as you.

 

Permalink Reply by cybercat on December 6, 2011 at 10:37pm

From everything I've read, he is the Grand High Poobah of MVD.  That's why I'm going so far to be his patient.  Nobody is going to mess around in my brain except the best! :-)

I know a couple of people who went to someone locally, but maybe that person has only done that operation a few times.  And they have had lots of complications from their surgeries.  Sekula has done it over 1000 times with a 90-something percent success rate.  I feel like I'm taking my best shot with him.....maybe I can have your Dec. 15th spot!  lol

 

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