Mumbai Doctors Relieve Man of Decade-Long Facial Pain

A 56-year-old social worker from Mumbai has found relief from over a decade of debilitating pain caused by Trigeminal Neuralgia, a neurological disorder known for its extreme discomfort. After years of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments, Sushil Verma underwent a successful surgical procedure that has transformed his life.

Verma had been grappling with severe, electric shock-like facial pain for more than ten years. Initially, he was misdiagnosed and underwent a tooth extraction, in addition to taking high doses of medication that failed to alleviate his suffering. The persistent pain made it nearly impossible for him to eat, speak, or smile, leading to social withdrawal and depression. At one point, the agony became so overwhelming that Verma contemplated ending his life.

Successful Surgical Intervention

At Gleneagles Hospital, Verma was evaluated by a team led by Dr. Nitin Dange, who serves as the Director of Interventional Neurology and Head of the Department of Neuro Surgery and Spine. Accompanying him were Dr. Kushal Bhatia and Dr. Mayur Gharat. An MRI scan revealed that a blood vessel was pressing on the trigeminal nerve within Verma’s brain, which was the root cause of his pain.

“Because his condition was refractory and he was otherwise fit, Microvascular Decompression (MVD) surgery was the best option,” explained Dr. Dange. This gold-standard procedure alleviates pressure on the nerve by separating the artery and placing a protective cushion. The surgery, which lasted three hours, was successful, and Verma reported an immediate cessation of pain.

After spending a week in recovery, he has remained completely pain-free for the past four months without the need for medication.

A Life Restored

Verma expressed profound relief and gratitude following the surgery. “For ten years, I lived with unbearable pain that no one around me could truly understand. I even thought of ending my life because I could not carry on like this. I took medicines, I even had a tooth removed, but nothing worked. The pain robbed me of my work, my happiness, and my will to live. After meeting Dr. Dange and his team, I finally found hope. The surgery changed my life. I am now free of pain, free of medicines, and I can smile, eat, and live normally again. I will always remain grateful to the doctors for giving me a second chance at life,” he stated.

Trigeminal Neuralgia affects approximately 12 in every 100,000 people worldwide annually, mostly in individuals over the age of 50. Often described as one of the most severe pains known in medicine, the condition can lead to significant disability, weight loss, and depression if left untreated. While medications might offer temporary relief, many patients ultimately require advanced treatments such as MVD, radiofrequency ablation, or Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

Dr. Dange highlighted the importance of timely treatment, stating, “If not treated in time, patients can suffer from progressive disability, weight loss, depression, and even dependence on narcotics. When performed at the right stage, MVD can completely transform quality of life.”

Dr. Bipin Chevale, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital, underscored the significance of Verma’s story, noting, “Stories like Verma’s highlight why timely diagnosis and advanced neurosurgical care are so critical.”