Thought I’d post some pictures of the awesome room we had at the historic Dearborn Inn:
Tag Archive - MI
Final thoughts
This was a great conference. Going to post a bunch of pictures. Sorry they weren’t of great quality as I used my iphone so I wouldn’t disturb with the flash. TNA had a professional photographer there so I am sure the website will have great pics!
If you ever have a chance to attend a regional conference or a national one.. do it! This is important to meet others who have TN or atypical face pain. You get 1 on 1 time to talk with some of the world’s most skilled Neurosurgeons and researchers.
We’ll never regret a moment. And have met some friends we’ll have for life! (I pray for eternity)
Spoke to fellow TN suffer’s
Early in today’s sessions we listened to a Pharmacist discuss the pharmaceutical approaches to treating neuropathic pain. And the routes particular chemicals must take to hinder this pain. It is always amazing that opiates aren’t particularly helpful in treating this pain. And TN pain responds to different anti epileptic drugs than say diabetes neuroptic pain. We heard about the types of drugs normally used and how they work and which ones have more adverse side effects than others.
I found it interesting in a summary that only 5% of patients find any long term good quality of life by treating their TN pain with medications.
And 70-90% find long term improvement from surgical intervention.
Today was especially interesting at the conference if someone was interested in surgical techniques for dealing with TN.
MVD (the surgery I had) is proven to be the most effective surgical approach. Less problems with lasting issues after surgery. But of course it is the most dangerous of the surgical approaches because it is the most invasive. There was some disagreement regarding the mortality from MVD but it was pretty much around 1 in 1000. (some said more.. some said way less) Dr. Janetta said that no one had died as a result of this surgery since 1979.. I am not sure if these are worldwide statics or US alone.
They ask for volunteers who’ve had surgical procedures and were pain free since. So I got to share my story this afternoon along with 6 others. In this group of people.. most are in pain and this is why they are here. Not many people continue their involvement with TNA once they’ve stopped having pain. So I hope we were encouraging to some considering their options. Mostly I hope I was able to promote the Lord Jesus and my trust in Him.
Tonight will be the gala and the end of the conference.
There was a really bad hurricane (Ike) in Texas last night.. and our travels will be affected by the aftermath tomorrow.
Watched 3-D MVD with inventor commenting
Today was exciting as I watched a 3-D video of microvascular decompression surgeries with Dr. Peter Janetta (among others)! What a remarkable man. He invented the surgical technique that stops TN pain in its tracks for 90% of people!
Here is the link to the book written about him: Working in a very small place
I shed a tear thinking of the awesomeness of the surgery I endured just a year and a half ago! And how very thankful I am to have had success!
Anyway Dr. Janetta is convinced that hypertension, diabetes, and even Parkinson’s disease are all caused by vessels compressing cranial nerves. Amazingly he said that he has already treated these conditions with MVD surgeries. WOW Fascinating for sure.
Tommy and I met so many folks today who have dealt with this monster and more. Some have had more than one MVD. Some have had other procedures including Gamma Knife surgery, balloon compression, radio frequency surgery and glycerol in injections. Others have found relief from complimentary medicines and procedures. One topic discussed today was Acupuncture for TN. We met a lady who is wearing a trial electric stimulation device which sends an electrical pulse to her neck and head when she begins to feel the pain of TN.
We’ve met many people who have had their lives nearly destroyed from the pain or from the “cure”, the anti seizure medications that are supposed to dull the horrible TN jabs yet often dull one’s entire mind in the process.
Then this evening the conference hosted a reception. The food was fabulous. I experienced my first chocolate fountain! Yummiest with pineapple!
Well exhausted and more updates and pictures coming tomorrow.
