Neurologist – Nothing More I Can Do!
In January 1986 I was diagnosed with right sided TN (trigeminal neralgia). At that time. I was placed on Tegretol and had some relief of pain. In July of '86 I went into three months of remission where no medication was required and I was pain free. By Oct of '86 the right sided pain returned. The pain was electrical and shock like in nature lasting 10-15 seconds. The pain was in my gums and cheek. For the next 3 years I was treated with numerous medications as well as Tegretol. These included: Elavil, Depakote, Leorasol, and Dilantin. Despite all these medications, I received very little pain relief.
In Aug 1989 I underwent vascular decompression at UCSF. They had hoped to find abnormal vessel but found normal anatomy, at which point he performed a rhizotomy instead. The procedure was not successful and I awoke with pain. I was placed back on medication immediately. The pain was tolerable while on Tegretol alone but I continued to have episodic break through pain.
In Jan 1995 I was hospitalized for increased right side pain that did not respond to drugs. While in the hospital I was placed on morphine drip while my Tegretol dose was increased. During this time I had a significant weight loss of 15 lbs. For the next year I had less pain but it was never completely gone. By March of '96 I began to experience both left and right sided pain. I continued to use Tegretol.
By Nov 1998 the pain on the right side had gone but the left sided pain began to increase. The episodes became more frequent and more painful. These pains went from shock like, lasting under a minute, to severe spasm pain that would radiate up to my left eye and my jaw would lock. My Tegretol was increased but I did not receive significant pain relief.
Beginning in Nov '99 the left sided pain became more frequent and more painful. By Jan 2000 the spasms became more frequent as well. My Tegretol was increased to 1000mg a day and I went on 2400mg of Neurontin. Despite the increase medication the pain persisted and my weight dropped 15 lbs. The medications were so sedating that I was unable to work as an RN in labor and delivery. I was also unable to drive a car. This went on for 3 months. The only time I left my house was if someone took me out. My gait was unsteady and my speech was slurred. The pain persisted and I continued to lose weight. Finally my daughter researched TN on her computer and found out about a support group in the Twin Cities. My husband took me to the monthly meeting. Dr. Johnson was the speaker that day and he spoke about NUCCA chiropractic care. My husband went to speak to him after his talk. I began care at Johnson Spinal Care the next week. He explained how my atlas was rotated out of alignment and how that could effect the nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve. By the time I had completed my 3 month care plan I had cut down on my medications enough that I was able to return to work and drive a car. I felt like I had my life back. I continued care for the next year and I continued to decrease my medications every couple of weeks.
Eventually I completely stopped all seizure medication. I had not been off of medications for 15 years. Today I continue to be off medication. My visits to Johnson Spinal Care are less frequent. I can hold my alignment for up to a month now. I am usually able to recognize when I feel out of alignment, and if i stay out too long I will start to feel some facial pain.
I will always be grateful to my family who didn't give up on me when I did. To my daughter who found out about the support group and to my husband for his gentle persuasion and taking me to my appointments.
I don't think I could find words to express my gratitude to those at Johnson Spinal Care for all they have done for me. I had truly reached a point of despair when I met them. My neurologist told me that there was nothing more he could do and he recommended surgery. Johnson Spinal Care never gave up on me even when I didn't follow the typical path of recovery. Because of Johnson Spinal Care I have my life back. I continue to work in labor and delivery, a job that I love, and I live each day medication free.
In Aug 1989 I underwent vascular decompression at UCSF. They had hoped to find abnormal vessel but found normal anatomy, at which point he performed a rhizotomy instead. The procedure was not successful and I awoke with pain. I was placed back on medication immediately. The pain was tolerable while on Tegretol alone but I continued to have episodic break through pain.
In Jan 1995 I was hospitalized for increased right side pain that did not respond to drugs. While in the hospital I was placed on morphine drip while my Tegretol dose was increased. During this time I had a significant weight loss of 15 lbs. For the next year I had less pain but it was never completely gone. By March of '96 I began to experience both left and right sided pain. I continued to use Tegretol.
By Nov 1998 the pain on the right side had gone but the left sided pain began to increase. The episodes became more frequent and more painful. These pains went from shock like, lasting under a minute, to severe spasm pain that would radiate up to my left eye and my jaw would lock. My Tegretol was increased but I did not receive significant pain relief.
Beginning in Nov '99 the left sided pain became more frequent and more painful. By Jan 2000 the spasms became more frequent as well. My Tegretol was increased to 1000mg a day and I went on 2400mg of Neurontin. Despite the increase medication the pain persisted and my weight dropped 15 lbs. The medications were so sedating that I was unable to work as an RN in labor and delivery. I was also unable to drive a car. This went on for 3 months. The only time I left my house was if someone took me out. My gait was unsteady and my speech was slurred. The pain persisted and I continued to lose weight. Finally my daughter researched TN on her computer and found out about a support group in the Twin Cities. My husband took me to the monthly meeting. Dr. Johnson was the speaker that day and he spoke about NUCCA chiropractic care. My husband went to speak to him after his talk. I began care at Johnson Spinal Care the next week. He explained how my atlas was rotated out of alignment and how that could effect the nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve. By the time I had completed my 3 month care plan I had cut down on my medications enough that I was able to return to work and drive a car. I felt like I had my life back. I continued care for the next year and I continued to decrease my medications every couple of weeks.
Eventually I completely stopped all seizure medication. I had not been off of medications for 15 years. Today I continue to be off medication. My visits to Johnson Spinal Care are less frequent. I can hold my alignment for up to a month now. I am usually able to recognize when I feel out of alignment, and if i stay out too long I will start to feel some facial pain.
I will always be grateful to my family who didn't give up on me when I did. To my daughter who found out about the support group and to my husband for his gentle persuasion and taking me to my appointments.
I don't think I could find words to express my gratitude to those at Johnson Spinal Care for all they have done for me. I had truly reached a point of despair when I met them. My neurologist told me that there was nothing more he could do and he recommended surgery. Johnson Spinal Care never gave up on me even when I didn't follow the typical path of recovery. Because of Johnson Spinal Care I have my life back. I continue to work in labor and delivery, a job that I love, and I live each day medication free.
