brain surgery 4 trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a rare nerve affliction that I suffer from. Nicknamed "the suicide disease" - has no cause or cure. Thanksgiving 2017 I began having the most dibilitating pain/burning through the right side of my face. Way more than a toothache...definitely not a geadache. Scared, I was rushed to the ER just to have those two words shared with me (along with instructions to call my doctor asap!). I was put on medication to "control" the pain - and instructed to go to the labs every month because the medication can damage my liver and kidneys. The medication took some of the pain down but the breakthrough pain (I call them "spikes") is more than I can handle sometimes and still comes often (probably 30-40 times a day). I  was referred to a neurologist who gave me no answers, and basically told me "this is my life now" and forever. The meds increased to a higher than normal dose just so I can get through my day. I am tired all the time, dizzy, and still in pain. To say my quality of life has been lowered is an understatement. I finally had enough and asked my doctor for a second opinion. Man, I'm glad I asked for that! Doctor sent me to a specialist who has dedicated his career to trigeminal neuralgia. He took his time to explain things to us (my husband and I) and even more about a surgery he does that will get me off of the medication, and out of pain for about 10 years. New doctor also explained how there is very little research on TN because it is rare. Because of many factors I am a candidate for surgery and to be a part of his study on trigeminal neuralgia (lately he had seen an increase in patients who are younger, like me, and affected by this). There are no outward signs of trigeminal neuralgia - I do not have a sign above my head that says I'm in pain. I don't "have headaches" or "just a tooth ache".  Best way to describe the pain is an icepick attached to a car battery that is stabbing you and then turned on jolting me like a bolt of lightning. At best, I have spikes that last for a few seconds. At worst, I am in the fetal position hoping my life would end because I wouldn't be in pain anymore. I'm not able to do a lot of the things I like to do - because the pain or the medication makes it too difficult. The diagnoses of TN completely changed our lives and not for the good. On August 15th I received a call letting me know I've been approved to have brain surgery in September. My (new) employer is being very understanding and letting me take a personal leave - even though I've only been there a month. Problem is that I have to take it unpaid. The money we are requesting is only living expenses while I am recovering.  I encourage you to look up trigeminal neuralgia and really understand what I'm going through. Any help is greatly appreciated.