Lisa finds relief from Trigeminal Neuralgia through successful surgery

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal Neuralgia, also known as the Suicide Disease, is a debilitating condition of sudden and excruciating facial pain along the trigeminal nerve branches. It can present as sharp shooting pains, like having an electric shock in the jaw, teeth, or gums.

Kenan Deniz tells us, “the pain can be so severe that patients have been driven to suicide due to the agonising nature of the pain.”

Pre-diagnosis

Lisa, a 57-year-old commercial airline pilot, first began experiencing facial pain across her face three years ago. Initially, the episodes were causing sharp, stabbing-like pain triggered by water running on her face. Lisa was diagnosed with TN and prescribed medication that initially did take the pain away. As time passed, the episodes returned and increased in both frequency and intensity, becoming more debilitating and affecting her daily life activities.

Throughout the course of her TN, Lisa described her pain as excruciatingly violent and rated consistently as 10 out of 10 on a visual analogue scale. Simple activities like eating, drinking, licking her lips and talking would trigger intense bouts of agony across her face. “Imagine waking up in the morning and you first open your mouth or move your tongue and that was it, that would start an attack,” Lisa shared.

At the time of Lisa’s diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia, the world was in the midst of the pandemic. Lisa had been made redundant due to COVID-19, was living alone and felt isolated and depressed. Lisa described her life as becoming a struggle to survive.

Lisa's diagnosis and her decision for surgery

Lisa underwent multiple assessments, including consultations with neurologists, dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. All findings consistently supported the diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia. It wasn’t until Lisa attended Nuffield Health York Hospital for a brain scan that they confirmed the artery impact on the trigeminal nerve and in a stroke of luck, Lisa was then referred to Mr Deniz.

“I couldn’t see a way forward and the pain was getting so bad that I didn’t know if I was going to get through it. It was only knowing that I was going to be seeing Mr Deniz that just made me hang on,” said Lisa.

In collaboration with Consultant Neurosurgeon, Mr Kenan Deniz, the decision was made to proceed with microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery. The procedure aimed to relieve the pressure from blood vessels compressing the trigeminal nerve, thereby alleviating the pain. Lisa was informed about the possible risks and benefits of surgery, including the possibility of recurrence or residual pain.

A year after her first TN episode, Lisa’s attacks were lasting up to two hours and getting more agonising and unbearable, leaving her kicking, screaming and crying until the attack stopped. The only thing keeping Lisa going was knowing she was scheduled with Mr Deniz within days for timely medical intervention surgery.

Lisa's recovery

Following the successful microvascular decompression surgery, Lisa exhibited instant and remarkable improvements in her quality of life. Postoperatively, she experienced immediate relief from the excruciating pain that had plagued her for years.

Lisa describes the morning after her surgery and being given eggs on toast for breakfast – “the fact I could bite down and not trigger an attack, I hadn’t been able to do that for so long.”

Once Lisa’s painful episodes had ceased, her life took a positive turn. Being freed from the constant burden of Trigeminal Neuralgia enabled her to rediscover her passion for flying. She steadily returned to flying lessons, gradually increasing her flight hours and confidently returning to the skies she once loved.

Lisa described her newfound freedom from TN as a truly life-changing experience. Her social life flourished and she began to enjoy meals and conversations without the fear of pain.

“When I find myself moaning about anything now, I do just bring myself back to what happened to me. It’s given me another gift of appreciation and has really massively shifted my whole perspective of life.”

Mr Kenan Deniz comments, “It is such a privilege to be able to offer my patients a chance of a cure from this debilitating and agonising condition. As a surgeon, I am very fortunate to be able to make such a huge difference to my patients’ quality of life.”

Lisa remains under the care of Mr Deniz for regular check-ups, ensuring that her symptoms do not reoccur. Although recurrences can happen, she is optimistic about this newfound lease on life, taking better care of her physical and mental well-being.

If you are experiencing similar symptoms, contact us at 0113 322 7251 to book a consultation with Consultant Neurosurgeon, Kenan Deniz.

Last updated Thursday 5 September 2024

First published on Thursday 5 September 2024