Trigeminal neuralgia, known as "the world's first pain". According to the patient's aunt Zhang, speaking two sentences, brushing teeth, washing face, eating... Both can cause severe pain. 24 hours a day, the pain is almost uninterrupted, "when severe, the whole left side of the face feels torn and twisted into a ball."
"The world's first pain" has been around for 6 years
About 6 years ago, Aunt Zhang, who was over sixty years old, began to have frequent involvement-like pain on the left side of her face, originally thought it was a oral disease, a series of examinations were done but did not find any problems, experienced doctors suggested that they see a neurology department, and then diagnosed trigeminal neuralgia.
Over the years, Aunt Zhang's condition gradually worsened, and she went to various hospitals for treatment many times, but did not get a satisfactory treatment plan, and could only continue to increase the dose of daily medication - carbamazepine.
In the past week, Aunt Zhang began to have serious side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, and puffiness in her face and legs after taking the medicine.
Adjust the drug regimen 5 times
Find a balance
After receiving the diagnosis, Professor Shi Shugui of the Department of Neurology combined with relevant examination and diagnosis and treatment experience, excluded tumors, vascular compression and other lesions, diagnosed with primary trigeminal neuralgia, and recommended preferred drug treatment.
"I was a little skeptical when I heard about the medication!" Aunt Zhang, who has experienced drug side effects, has little confidence in drug treatment, and the medical staff patiently explained that she chose to be admitted to the hospital for treatment out of trust.
▲Professor Shi Shugui made an assessment for Aunt Zhang
Professor Shi Shugui's team immediately began to adjust the drug treatment plan: pregabalin was preferred, starting from the initial dose, gradually replacing carbamazepine to relieve side effects. On an average of 2-3 days, the team discusses and adjusts the drug treatment plan, and constantly explores a balance between pain relief and physical adaptability through increasing or decreasing doses and supplementary medications.
"Does this medicine work?" On the third day of medication adjustment, Aunt Zhang felt unbearable pain in her left cheek. Fortunately, the situation is getting more optimistic every day. After 5 adjustments, the new drug treatment plan took effect, and the tear pain gradually decreased to swelling pain, which Aunt Zhang could fully bear.
Two weeks of medication
60%-70% reduction in pain
One day two weeks later, there was a brisk and powerful knock at Professor Shi Shugui's office, and it was Aunt Zhang who was preparing to leave the hospital and specially came to thank her.
Compared with Aunt Zhang, who was sunny and cheerful when she was admitted to the hospital, and her confidence was exhausted by the pain that accompanied her, her mental outlook at this time was renewed.
"I pay attention every day to whether your treatment plan is effective." On the wall of Professor Shi Shugui's medical record, Aunt Zhang's name is still displayed in the second place.
Based on the trust and patience between doctors and patients, after two weeks of treatment, Aunt Zhang's trigeminal neuralgia was reduced by 60%-70%. It is expected that after half a year of treatment, the disease will be completely eliminated, and the medication will be gradually reduced until the drug is stopped, and her life will be completely back on track. (Textu/Zhou Jia)
Department Introduction》》
▲Group photo of department members
The Department of Neurological Diseases of Northern Kuanren is a clinical medical center integrating medical treatment, teaching and scientific research that the hospital focuses on preparing. Professor Shi Shugui, deputy director of the Department of Neurology of the Southwest Hospital of the Former Third Military Medical University, served as the discipline leader, and the core team consisted of chief physicians, deputy chief physicians and senior attending physicians from Southwest Hospital and West China Hospital of Sichuan University.