I had the MVD (Micro Vascular Decompression) for the Trigeminal Neuralgia on Monday (11/18/2002) at about 8:00 - 2:00 pm. Came out of recovery about 3:00 pm, and went into Intensive care.

I felt great, just could not sleep due to all of the ruckus in intensive care. WOW, they must run freight trains through there. Got up once during the night.. The next morning, I got up and started walking. I felt like I needed to walk and walk, so I did, I walked for over an hour, around the IC Unit. The nurses and doctors simply could NOT believe that I looked so good and was so strong. As I was to be transferred to a regular room. I had the catheter and IV removed and changed to pajamas and a robe. However, I just kept getting stronger and stronger during the day. They really had never seen anything like it.

Best of all, the pain was gone. The surgeon found two arteries resting on the Trigeminal Nerve, and he placed Teflon pads between the arteries and the nerve. I have 33 stitches behind my ear. I had numerous folks come up to me and tell me that Dr. Breeze was the best neurosurgeon they had ever seen, bar none. He is going to keep me on a low maintenance dose of Tegretol and Trileptal for 3-4 weeks, and then slowly wean me from them.

Anyway, the chief resident neuro had mentioned that I looked like I could go home on the 19th (last night). I kept waiting and waiting for a bed, and, alas, there were none available in the Hospital (University Health).

Dr. Breeze's nurse practitioner came by and said it was my choice - stay in the ICU one more night, or go home. The solution was REAL simple, so I changed clothes one more time and came home last night.

I was exhausted because of lack of sleep on the 18th in the ICU, and took some Vicodans and really slept last night. I feel as if I could go into work right now, but I shan't. I plan on taking at least two weeks before returning, as I do not want any complications.

The doc and I believe my rather amazing and speedy recovery was due to my excellent physical condition and the weight lifting, walking and bike riding that I have done for years.

According to the doc, I can start bike riding whenever I want, but must wait on the weight lifting for 3-4 weeks except for light weights like 20 pounds. At first, when I asked about weight lifting they said ok (thinking about 20 pound weights), but when I told them that I lift 200-250 pounds, they looked at me funny and said I better wait a while!!

Now we must all pray that the MVD continues to hold and that nothing goes wrong. And, yes, I will take it easy and take time to recover - although of you see a 63 year old zooming by on a bike it will probably be me!!

Denver,

Congratulations, glad it worked out OK.
When as a bike commuter I had an appendectomy
the Doc couldn't believe the lack of Fat and the speed
of recovery.
Ain't it great what cycling does ?

Hope for a speedy (no pun intended) recovery,
Marty

Good to hear you're on the mend.
Another victory for the bike community.

Glad it went so well. Sounds like recovery at home ought to be a relaxing break from work. Take care of yourself.

I know you're glad to be home. Sounds like the ICU experience was "memorable".

With 33 stitches there will be no mistake recognizing it's you out for a spin.

Glad you're doing ok.

It does look a little gross!

Here's to a continuing speedy recovery DF!

Great to hear that the surgery went well. Best wishes on your ongoing recovery!

A great victory for you, Denver! I feel as if your victory is mine, also!

Glad to hear things went so well!!. Your story serves as a reminder that any hospital stay is a large pain in the rear (as well as other places) and that those of us who are currently enjoying good health should be counting our blessings and making good use of our time!

Great news Dnvrfox, wonderful that you had such an outstanding practitioner. Glad you recognize the importance of allowing a full recovery, that can make a huge difference in the long term success of the procedure.

Keep us posted. :thumbup:

good to hear you are feeling better. lets hope you are back on the bike soon

No biking, but did get a 2 mile walk in this pm.

Thanks for the update, D.F. All of us are rooting for you. I relish these stories of rapid recovery by bicyclists and always feel a bit smug when I read one.

The tail-wind you feel is the large sigh of relief from all of BF. So glad you are pain-free, and I hope the rest of your recovery is uneventful. Yeah DF.

Well, I discovered that I probably should NOT have taken that two mile walk!!

Difficult to gauge these things.

After a rough couple of past hours, and after 2 vicodin, I am recovering.

I must have been running on adrenaline all of yesterday!!

Glad you're doing so well Denver! Bet you're glad that's over with. Best wishes on a continuing great recovery. :thumbup:

That is really great to hear.

Well, here is the schedule:

Brain Surgery on Monday

Intensive Care Monday night and Tuesday

Sent home Tuesday PM

Two mile hike Wednesday

Two Mile hike Thursday

And - finally

Ten mile bike ride on Friday!!

It was about 70F here in Denver, and I got out for almost an hour.

Oh JOY

Hey DnvrFox,

Don't know if you remember me.....I haven't visited BF for 2+ years now.....but just started to ride again.

Post #20
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ght=trigeminal

Anyway, just wanted to check in to see how you are doing and to see if you're pain free.

I recently (last week) came down with a minor episode. It lasted about 2 - 3 days. I don't even know what I have or know if it's Trigeminal Neuralgia. One doctor said it was, another said it isn't.....I gave up with doctors and I just deal with the pain when it comes at me. The pain from this past episode wasn't too intense though (I had it so bad in the past that I couldn't get out of bed some days).

I think the pain helps my cycling. When it hits, I put the hammer down and beat myself up. But luckily for me, the pain is somewhat tolerable since it's not constant. Besides the episode last week, I think I was pain free for more than 9 months. Hopefully it will eventually go away. If it gets a lot worse, I'm afraid I may have to go down the same path you did.

But when I have the pain, I thought of you and I remember you saying that your pain was too unbearable and that you were scheduled to have brain surgery. I hope you're doing well and pain free!

good luck DnvrFox, but make sure you take it easy and recuperate before you push yourself too hard. It's not worth the added recovery time.

He had the procedure done 3 years ago

geez, that's why you shouldn't resurrect old threads heh!

But I didn't want to start a new thread and take up unnecessary space. Perhaps, people should read the POSTS thoroughly instead of skimming through it and replying....eh?

I felt this topic was serious enough to resurrect and I just want to check in on Dnvrfox.

Oh I definitely should have paid closer attention to the thread, and I remember reading this thread before and hearing about all this, I thought maybe it was happening again or something heh.
We shall have to split the blame on my mistake.......