Feeling less pain after temporal artery biopsy

[missmylefteye]

Has anyone else felt better after getting the temporal artery biopsy? i am having some level of pain/pulsating on the right side of my face now. But i swear, the left side, where they took out 2cm of the artery & shut it down feels a lot better even a week after the surgery, than it has in a very long time.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I suppose if the artery they removed was damaged/inflamed then it would do. Or a nerve that was transmitting the pain signals was cut and no longer functions.

[missmylefteye in reply to PMRpro]

It's been an interesting phenomenon. i still getting occasional post surgery pain in the area, but the whole left side of my face & temple feels more relaxed.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to missmylefteye]

Do you see the surgeon again? Ask them...

[missmylefteye in reply to PMRpro]

Probably not, but i can call & ask about it, and also ask if they tested my sample for that varicella zoster.

[missmylefteye in reply to PMRpro]

I want them to cut out my right temporal artery now too!!

[missmylefteye in reply to PMRpro]

On your nerve idea, my facial nerve was affected & supposed to recover but hasnt yet, so my left brow lower and stiff for now. i had it done at univ of CO by a resident, professor/doctor advising. anyway maybe helped with pain...

[jgantic in reply to missmylefteye]

Did the bulging artery that you were experiencing decrease in size after the sample was taken during the biopsy? It's my understanding that a section is removed and then ends of the artery are tied-off, which I assume restricts blood flow after that? Just curious. Thanks!

[missmylefteye in reply to jgantic]

Sorry, i dropped out since doc insists i had a NAION, not AION. Yeah, i think it did. Still a little tender in that spot after about 9 mos. Methaltrexate seems to be helping me a lot, whatever illness I have.