Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain Relieved Without Surgery
“If anyone is nervous about gamma knife, they should hear my story and know there is no need to worry.”
Seven years ago, Amy Wyglendowski thought the pain she was experiencing on the right side of her face was from a toothache. After an initial visit to a dentist and then to an oral surgeon, Amy was told she might have a condition called trigeminal neuralgia.
Amy's Story
It wasn’t until a trip to a neurologist that her diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia was confirmed. Amy started a low-dose medication regimen that she continued for three years. Her pain soon returned and worsened, resulting in a prescription for a higher dose of medication. This pattern continued for Amy until the amount of medication she had been prescribed began to significantly affect her memory and cognitive ability. She could no longer operate a vehicle because her medication made her debilitatingly dizzy and shaky, severely impacting her quality of life.
When Amy reached a point where her neurologist said that they could no longer help her, she knew she needed to seek alternative assistance. At the recommendation of her mother, Amy scheduled a consultation with Dr. Anthony D’Ambrosio at The Gamma Knife Center. When she arrived, she instantly felt that she had chosen the right place. The whole staff made her feel at ease and did what they could to accommodate her, as she wasn’t close to home. Dr. D’Ambrosio’s knowledge and manner as he thoroughly explained her treatment options put Amy at ease. It became clear that a minimally invasive gamma knife procedure was exactly what Amy needed to alleviate, and perhaps end, her pain.
On the day of her procedure, her nurses, Susan and Kelly, went over the step by step details of what to expect before her procedure. The procedure room itself was especially serene and calming.
As Amy says, “I could not have had a better experience with the Valley Gamma Knife team. Everyone was terrific and it was a great experience to eliminate my pain. If anyone is nervous about gamma knife, they should hear my story and know there is no need to worry.”
Now, a few months after her procedure, Amy is on a very low dose of her last medications. She has no symptoms from the medication provided for her recovery, and she no longer feels the excruciating pain in her face that she dealt with for the past seven years. The expertise and assistance of the Valley Gamma Knife team enabled Amy to get her health and her life back.
* This procedure may not be suitable for every patient. All patients must be evaluated by a physician as to the appropriateness of performing the procedure. The above testimonial represents the individual’s response and reaction to the procedure; however, no medical procedure is risk-free. Associated potential risks and complications should be discussed with the physician rendering this procedure.