E11YearsOfPain

Hello

I have been in similar situation for going on eleven years. I have had a few facial reconstructive surgeries--the first with metal (and bone) plates...after a few years (from 1991 to 1998) it was pretty much ok, then started having swelling (left side of face--sinuses were shattered which is why plates were used), and "sinus" infection one after another. Finally had surgery in 2000, and they found the metal plates had become loose and had a bone infection in my face as a result. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MORE SURGERY--like the gamma knife, please see a couple specialist and do your research. Typically, from what I understand, when the nerve is damaged, it is damaged. I have been living with severe, suicidal pain for so long. I sought out surgical solutions, either they were all different solutions, or the ones I did trust, said that nothing really could be done (well, there were a few options, like a neuroectmy, something like where they cut the nerve, but chances of it regrowing, and with a percentage of worse pain to boot. I am now on Pain Management...you just have to find the right mixture of meds, and don't bother telling family or friends about your meds and or regimen...for too many reasons for me to go into right now. It has been hellish...It is considered a Suicide Disease...one of the most painful conditions known to man (see Trigeminal Neuralgia sites and they discuss other neuropathic conditions such as this. I can write more later. Just be careful with surgeries...I have seen more people damaged then fixed by them. I don't know where they get their success rate numbers, because in all my years, I have yet to meet one..though they may be out living their life and not have time to come back and say hey this worked. I know I sound negative..it is a negative situation. It will take years to comprehend how much your life has just changed. I am sorry. Like I said, I am open to questions or info, just let me know if you are interested. Good luck. and very sorry you have to deal with this.