- S
- L
- A
Francoise Johnson has been suffering with Trigeminal Neuralgia for more than nine years. This is caused by the abnormal compression of the trigeminal nerve. This is the nerve that carries sensation from your face to your brain, which means than even mild stimulation on your face, such as brushing your teeth or applying make-up can cause a jolt of excruciating pain.
She went through her first surgery, a microvascular decompression, or MVD, to relieve this compression in 2011. This involves relocating or removing the blood vessel which is pressing against the trigeminal nerve, at its root, and separating the nerve root and blood vessels. In 2013 she had another surgery, a Gamma knife radiosurgery. In 2014, she had her first Rhizotemy, which is a surgical procedure to destroy nerve fibers carrying pain signals to the brain. In 2018, she had a second Rhizotemy, which had no effect on her condition.
In January of this year, she traveled to Irvine, CA to consult Dr. Mark Linskey, who is a world renowned neurosurgeon and leader in MVD surgery. In looking at her MRI, he agreed that another MVD surgery was the best option to deal with a large vessel laying on and compressing the trigeminal nerve.
After surgery she will need to remain in an area within 20 miles of the UC Irvine Medical Center for 3-4 weeks, depending on her recovery rate. After the second surgery of this type, there is an increased risk of leaks in brain or spinal fluid, for which Dr Linskey wants to be her sole caregiver.
This will be an expensive undertaking as insurance will not cover housing for her to remain in the area close to the hospital during her recovery, and there will most likely be additional expenses involved in the surgery and hospital stay as well.
Since 2011, Francoise has had very little relief from the constant pain that Trigeminal Neuralgia causes. The medications she takes to try to manage symptoms can be nearly as debilitating as the pain. She can’t sleep, concentration is difficult. This is the best opportunity for extended relief from the continuous pain she endures. Please help. Thank you
She went through her first surgery, a microvascular decompression, or MVD, to relieve this compression in 2011. This involves relocating or removing the blood vessel which is pressing against the trigeminal nerve, at its root, and separating the nerve root and blood vessels. In 2013 she had another surgery, a Gamma knife radiosurgery. In 2014, she had her first Rhizotemy, which is a surgical procedure to destroy nerve fibers carrying pain signals to the brain. In 2018, she had a second Rhizotemy, which had no effect on her condition.
In January of this year, she traveled to Irvine, CA to consult Dr. Mark Linskey, who is a world renowned neurosurgeon and leader in MVD surgery. In looking at her MRI, he agreed that another MVD surgery was the best option to deal with a large vessel laying on and compressing the trigeminal nerve.
After surgery she will need to remain in an area within 20 miles of the UC Irvine Medical Center for 3-4 weeks, depending on her recovery rate. After the second surgery of this type, there is an increased risk of leaks in brain or spinal fluid, for which Dr Linskey wants to be her sole caregiver.
This will be an expensive undertaking as insurance will not cover housing for her to remain in the area close to the hospital during her recovery, and there will most likely be additional expenses involved in the surgery and hospital stay as well.
Since 2011, Francoise has had very little relief from the constant pain that Trigeminal Neuralgia causes. The medications she takes to try to manage symptoms can be nearly as debilitating as the pain. She can’t sleep, concentration is difficult. This is the best opportunity for extended relief from the continuous pain she endures. Please help. Thank you