Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh, Author at Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment

Successful MVD for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Posted on March 31, 2021 | by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh | 5 Comments

Mrs R R underwent a successful MVD Surgery with Dr Jaydev Panchwagh for her facial pain/ Trigeminal Neuralgia. She is a resident of Mumbai , and after extensive research, decided to get operated at the MVD centre in Pune under Dr Jaydev Panchwagh.

This is what her daughter posted as a google review:

” My mother underwent successful MVD for Trigeminal Neuralgia. Indeed the most treasured of the doctors we have been privileged to meet is Dr Jaydev Panchwagh. The surgery was undoubtedly successful. Thank u for good care and concern.

Dr Jaydev Panchwagh put us at ease and helped in gaining the confidence. Because of you my mom is doing very well.

“You are truly a remarkable doctor and professional we respect and trust” and also a great thank you to Savita mam and Dr Santosh for clearing every small doubts whenever in need”.

Microvascular decompression is a good choice for finding permanent and long-lasting relief from Trigeminal neuralgia. If you want to read more testimonials of patients who have undergone MVD surgery at our MVD centre, please click here. Dr Jaydev Panchwagh is the chief neurosurgeon at the MVD centre in Pune. He is also the founder-Director of Synapse Brain and Spine Foundation.

Trigeminal neuralgia cured

Posted on February 17, 2021 | by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh | 8 Comments

Trigeminal neuralgia cured by Microvascular Decompression surgery is not unique. However, very few patients actually acknowledge this in public and help spread awareness.

In this interview, Mrs. Deshmukh and her husband share their experiences before and after her Trigeminal neuralgia was treated by Microvascular decompression surgery, or MVD surgery.

Mr Deshmukh also describes how he and his family suffered because they saw her in pain but could not share her neuralgic pain. They would take her to the hospital at all hours of the day when the attacks got particularly bad to give her intravenous pain killers. They endured all this simply because they were unaware of MVD surgery for Trigeminal neuralgia pain relief. Trigeminal neuralgia cured by MVD surgery is a boon for not only the patient but also the family involved.

While googling for trigeminal neuralgia treatment, her son chanced upon a YouTube video that Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh, a neurosurgeon in Pune had uploaded for public education. She then procured his phone number and contacted him. The very first meeting with him and his team gave her enough confidence to opt for surgery. She also spoke to a few other people who were operated upon by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh, who reassured her that he was the best neurosurgeon for MVD surgery done for treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia.

The cause for Trigeminal neuralgia is often a blood vessel compressing on the Trigeminal nerve. You can read more by clicking here.

Severe Trigeminal Neuralgia caused by Epidermoid tumour

Posted on November 16, 2020 | by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh | 19 Comments

Severe Trigeminal Neuralgia can occasionally be caused by tumors in the cerebello-pontine region, notably, Epidermoid tumors, Schwannomas and rarely others like meningioma etc.

Severe TN caused by C-P angle Epidermoid tumor

This is the story of a patient named Mr. Gopal Shinde, a young man from rural Maharashtra who suffered from very severe pain in the cheek and forehead. His TN pain was so severe that he could neither eat nor talk, nor open his mouth.

An MRI advised by us revealed a cerebello-pontine (C-P) angle tumor which was likely to be an epidermoid. Unfortunately, a nation-wide lockdown was imposed a few days after his diagnosis, and he had to return to his village.

Eventually, in spite of the Covid-19 situation, he came back to us for excision of the epidermoid, because the pain was unbearable. This was successfully removed in October 2020. His severe Trigeminal neuralgia pain disappeared immediately after surgery and he could begin eating, talking and smiling normally.

Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh operated on him and he was cured of his TN pain, with the excision of the Epidermoid tumor and with the freeing of the Trigeminal nerve.

Trigeminal neuralgia medication-how to take them?

Posted on September 19, 2020 | by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh | 45 Comments

Trigeminal neuralgia medication, at least the majority of them, are anti-convulsants.

“How to take them-Trigeminal neuralgia medication?”

Can I take TN medication when I feel the pain coming on?

Can I add more drugs during a Trigeminal neuralgia attack?

Do I have to continue taking the Trigeminal neuralgia medicines even if I have no or minimal pain?

These are all questions that frequently come to the patients’ minds.

What is essential to understand is that TN medicines are not straight-forward pain-killers. They are primarily anti-convulsants or brain numbing medications. Once the first pill is consumed, it takes a few hours to reach the blood. The liver simultaneously metabolizes the drug, while some of it also reaches the brain to act upon. So in effect, the blood level reduces. Over a period of the next few hours, the blood level will become zero. Before this happens, we need to consume another pill to increase and maintain the blood level. If this does not happen, there is no effect on the pain as well.

In short, regular medication is essential to maintain a particular blood level of the drug, so that it calms the brain/ nerve. This calming effect means that they do not respond to pain signals, and therefore have a neuralgic-pain-reducing effect.

Another key point to be noted is that the dosages need to be very gradually increased (and decreased also).

What happens if I take too many TN pills?

Well, you will certainly start manifesting all the side-effects of these anti-convulsants, like drowsiness, dizziness, imbalance, mental clouding, memory loss, depression etc. This is why, their dosages have to be adjusted by your doctor, who will determine what is right for you. One typically starts with the lowest dosage twice or thrice a day. This may be increased to maximum doses four times a day.

What happens if I miss a couple of doses of TN medication?

The blood level reduces, and you may experience break-through pain.

Allergic reactions to Trigeminal neuralgia medication

When starting off drugs to control TN pain for the first time, one has to be aware of and be on the lookout for allergic reactions. Though rare, it is not unheard of. I have come across a few patients in my practice. Typically they are in the form of skin rashes. These may be the harbinger of a very serious and potentially fatal Stevens-Johnson syndrome. If one notices skin rashes on consuming TN medication, please inform your doctor immediately and stop taking it.

What are the commonly used medication for trigeminal neuralgia?

What other drugs than anticonvulsants are useful for TN pain?

Is TN permanent?

What are some of the FAQs about TN?

Is there a cure for Trigeminal neuralgia?

Who is Dr Jaydev Panchwagh?

Youtube videos explaining in detail about Trigeminal neuralgia

Can I hear some patient testimonials? MicroVascular Decompression surgery to cure Trigeminal neuralgia.

How do I contact Dr Jaydev Panchwagh?

Trigeminal Neuralgia Patient Testimonial | Laxminarayan Gogineni

Posted on August 30, 2020 | by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh | 31 Comments

I suffered from Trigeminal Neuralgia and this is my patient testimonial:

I suffered from Trigeminal Neuralgia for five years before my Microvascular decompression surgery. Symptoms of TN for me was a severe shock like pain along the lower jaw.

Continue reading →

Is Trigeminal neuralgia hereditary?

Posted on August 13, 2020 | by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh | 121 Comments

For those of you who are wondering whether Trigeminal neuralgia is hereditary, the short answer is ‘ not really’. Having said that, there are cases reported where TN runs in families.

Can Trigeminal neuralgia be Familial?

Familial TN is unusual by all means. It is likely to be less than 2 or 3% of all TN patients. It is possible that patients inherit their familial ‘make-up’ of blood vessel contours or laxity, or lengths…we don’t know. Generally the familial type of Trigeminal neuralgia is on the same side in all affected family members.

Can Trigeminal neuralgia be inherited? Can TN be genetically transmitted?

The chances are so slim, that it’s not worth losing good sleep over it.

Have I seen a case of familial Trigeminal neuralgia?

‘No. I have only read case reports. It is likely that this condition is so rare, that one need not be too worried about it.’ Dr Jaydev Panchwagh answers.

Can children be affected with Trigeminal neuralgia?

Though it is unusual, it is not impossible. Diagnosing TN in children may be a problem, because they may not be able to express their problem clearly.

Parents ought to be more observant and help in establishing patterns.

There are reports of Microvascular Decompression surgery being done even in young children to treat them of the Trigeminal neuralgia pain.

My father and I both have Trigeminal Neuralgia. Is this hereditary? Will my children also have it?

It is possible that there are certain anatomical variations in either the brain and skull, or in the blood vessels that have predisposed both of you to have it. We just have to wait and see if it gets passed on to the next generation.

The youngest patient Dr Jaydev Panchwagh, a renowned Indian neurosurgeon has operated on is a girl of 22 years, who had been having it for five years. The operation was performed at his centre for MVD in Pune, India. With an experience of more than a thousand trigeminal neuralgia surgeries, he is one of the best neurosurgeons for such delicate and specialized operations.

You may watch his Youtube channel for more on MVD surgery for Trigeminal neuralgia treatment.

Is trigeminal neuralgia permanent?

Posted on July 30, 2020 | by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh | 43 Comments

Is Trigeminal neuralgia permanent? This is one of the first questions patients ask, upon learning their diagnosis. It is natural to want to know how long they have to face these facial pain-attacks.

The pain of a TN attack is itself not permanent, but comes intermittently most of the times. In a few patients this pain, especially in those who have had it for a long time, may last a few hours at a time.

Does the pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) ever go away?

Unfortunately, no. The pain attacks keep appearing. Initially, the attacks are infrequent, later they become more severe and frequent or even continuous. the timeline varies for every individual who suffers from this.

There are periods, sometimes for months when the pain does not re-appear. It is called pain remission. Some people have short remission periods, and for others it’s longer.

As the condition progresses, the remission periods shorten and the attacks become more frequent. Very rarely, there may be near-permanent remission.

How long does the pain of Trigeminal neuralgia last?

The actual pain attack of TN may last a few seconds to a few minutes. The actual condition is unlikely to ever go away. Most patients need a combination of medications to keep the pain under control. Non-medical therapy helps in managing pain, and living with it. Surgical procedures give longer pain relief. Microvascular decompression surgery is the main option available for a possible permanent relief from the pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Dr Jaydev Panchwagh and his team at the Centre for Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment by Microvascular Decompression surgery have an experience of more than a thousand MVD procedures, in the last twenty years. The centre is known for the best treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Dr Jaydev Panchwagh is a renowned neurosurgeon in Pune, India and has many referrals from international patients as well. Plenty of video lectures delivered by Dr Panchwagh on the subject, are available on YouTube.

Calming an attack of trigeminal neuralgia

Posted on July 29, 2020 | by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh | 41 Comments

One of the most important questions I am asked, or rather one of the important phone calls I handle are tips on calming an attack of Trigeminal neuralgia. In other words:

How do I deal with a TN attack?

Well, primarily, it means that you have been diagnosed, and you recognize an attack. But before we learn how to deal with an attack of TN or learning how to calm the trigeminal nerve, we should first check that we have a few things in place.

Do you keep a pain diary?

This is very important to recognize what events led up to the attack, its duration, frequency etc.

Have you noticed any trigger factors that bring on an attack?

There are different trigger factors for different people, but the commonest are touch, brushing, eating and talking. Maintaining a pain diary helps identifying trigger factors.

Have you noticed any actions that may reduce your pain?

Again, being observant and trying different remedies at home in the initial phases when the pain is not so severe can help.

Have you noticed any foods that may bring on an attack?

Writing down in a pain diary will help narrow down pain-triggering foods. One of the problems of Trigeminal neuralgia medication is that there is an obtundation of memory and recall. Writing down helps recall, and can help others also analyze the things that led up to the attack. Also, identifying pain-safe foods for you will help ward off an attack.

Simple measures that may help calming down a Trigeminal neuralgia attack

Hot water bottles / cold presses
Pressure of entire palm on affected side: cupping the face with palm
Medication like Tegretol, especially if you have forgotten to take a dose
Capsaicin or hot pepper creams
Seeking a calm atmosphere
Going indoors and avoiding breeze
Avoid long journeys
Drink from a straw, eat soft foods so you don’t have to chew
Light exercise to release natural pain-relieving hormones (for some, exercises like walking can worsen an attack).

My Trigeminal neuralgia attack keeps coming back. What do I do?

Unfortunately, if your TN attacks are non-responsive to medication and other measures, you might have to consider Microvascular decompression surgery. This is one of the treatment options, which when considered early on in the disease, can lead to a potential cure.

Dr Jaydev Panchwagh is a renowned neurosurgeon in Pune who is an internationally recognized surgeon for Trigeminal neuralgia treatment in India. he has performed over a thousand MVD procedures with a 98% success rate. He has an international patient service to help those patients coming from outside India.

He has a You Tube channel, Dr Jaydev Panchwagh, if you are interested in watching his lectures on Trigeminal neuralgia. There are also many patient testimonials, which help in allaying fear and anxiety about surgery. Our team has one of the best results in trigeminal neuralgia treatment in India.

You may contact the team which will lead you to avail of all our services.

Trigeminal neuralgia patient testimonial | Ketan Dixit

Posted on July 21, 2020 | by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh | 26 Comments

Trigeminal neuralgia patient testimonial

I am Ketan Dixit, and I suffered from Trigeminal neuralgia. This is my testimonial of the treatment I received from Dr Jayadev Panchwagh, an Indian Neurosurgeon famous for trigeminal neuralgia surgery in Pune, India.

I would like to share my Trigeminal neuralgia patient experience with you all. I suffered from this horrible disease for nearly four years before I got operated. I was on Trigeminal neuralgia medications like carbamazepine etc, for many years. Continue reading →

Depression and chronic pain

Posted on July 19, 2020 | by Dr. Jaydev Panchwagh | 36 Comments

People who suffer from Trigeminal neuralgia, which is a chronic pain condition, often have depression. I have written this blog to help understand how the pain-anxiety-depression cycle kicks in.

I remember a story told to us in childhood.

Akbar asked Birbal, what is the worst punishment for a human being? (Akbar was a powerful Mughal emperor in India and Birbal was his wisest court- minister).

Birbal said, “Sire, before I give you the answer to this question, may I ask you what do you think is the worst punishment ?”

“Why, Birbal, of course it is death penalty ! …I just want to know if you have any different thoughts.”

“Sire, the worst punishment is not death; it is a “continuous, chronic mental terror that death or pain is about to come. I do not wish this punishment upon my worst enemy too.”

“Surely Birbal, you are joking. How can anything be worse than death itself? You have to prove your claim” said the Emperor in his usual style.

And in his usual style, Birbal too arranged the experiment.

He ordered a ferocious and hungry tiger to be brought in a cage. He ordered that the tiger should be kept half fed.

Five feet from the cage, he tied a well-fed sheep to a tree.

A heap of grass was kept by the sheep’s side so she could feed to her heart’s content.

Birbal told Akbar, “Sire, we will visit this site daily.”

On the tenth day. The sheep had lost all the weight, had not eaten any grass and there was a terrified look on her face that had become almost permanent. The fear of the tiger had taken away her appetite.

This story is more than just amusement.

A chronic pain, chronic terror, continuous foreboding that the next attack of pain in imminent is typical of trigeminal neuralgia pain….even in patients who are on medicines for months and years together.

This continuous terror and severe anxiety is worse than pain itself.

It has been proven with the help of functional MRI that the surface area of sensory pain mapped on brain surface is found to have increased many-fold in patients with trigeminal neuralgia and other types of chronic pain.

So, the brain actually changes for worse in these patients….literally and structurally.

This results in even small painful stimuli causing severe pain as the sensory interpretation of the pain has multiplied many fold.

Thus chronic pain can cause severe depression, and induce suicidal tendencies.

And this is the reason that procedures like MicroVascular Decompression should be used to CURE the disease (Trigeminal Neuralgia), rather than any temporary methods or medicines.

Dr Jaydev Panchwagh is a renowned neurosurgeon with special interest in Trigeminal neuralgia treatment, and has performed over a thousand Microvascular Decompression surgeries.