Surat: Three-years-ago Dipika Patil (34) developed pain on the right side of her face. Initially she thought that it could be due to a problem with her ear, but despite multiple visits to doctors and medication the pain continued to grow. After a rollercoaster life in the past three years, she was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia and underwent surgery.
The pain became unbearable, stopping Dipika from smiling, brushing her teeth, eating and even drinking water. She used to stay awake 24 hours on most days and her groaning kept the family members awake too.
Due to a sudden drop in diet Dipika became extremely weak and was even unable to stand.
“She developed suicidal tendencies and wanted to kill self using a knife. But we stopped her and gave her assurance that we will find a way out,” said her mother Ratna. Due to the pain, cause of which was not known, her relationship with her husband worsened.
Dipika used to do sewing at home for money but due to health issues she could not work. Her family was dependent upon her brother for treatment and during three years she was examined by six different doctors — starting from ENT specialist to dentist — but the actual problem could not be identified.
Meanwhile, she consulted a neurosurgeon, and following checkup it was confirmed that she has trigeminal neuralgia. “All these years the doctors gave pain relievers but the pain restarted once the medicines were discontinued. But now I feel relaxed as there is no pain. I can eat food now and brush my teeth,” said Dipika.
During each visit to the doctor the entire family used to cry incessantly. “She could not even drink water or brush teeth for several months. Initial diagnosis was not exact and the MRI report was also misleading. But finally, we could diagnose the exact problem,” Dr Jigar Shah, neurosurgeon.
Cost of the surgery was around Rs 5 lakh that was covered under Ayushman Card. After the surgery Dipika hopes to unite with her husband.
The pain became unbearable, stopping Dipika from smiling, brushing her teeth, eating and even drinking water. She used to stay awake 24 hours on most days and her groaning kept the family members awake too.
Due to a sudden drop in diet Dipika became extremely weak and was even unable to stand.
“She developed suicidal tendencies and wanted to kill self using a knife. But we stopped her and gave her assurance that we will find a way out,” said her mother Ratna. Due to the pain, cause of which was not known, her relationship with her husband worsened.
Dipika used to do sewing at home for money but due to health issues she could not work. Her family was dependent upon her brother for treatment and during three years she was examined by six different doctors — starting from ENT specialist to dentist — but the actual problem could not be identified.
Meanwhile, she consulted a neurosurgeon, and following checkup it was confirmed that she has trigeminal neuralgia. “All these years the doctors gave pain relievers but the pain restarted once the medicines were discontinued. But now I feel relaxed as there is no pain. I can eat food now and brush my teeth,” said Dipika.
During each visit to the doctor the entire family used to cry incessantly. “She could not even drink water or brush teeth for several months. Initial diagnosis was not exact and the MRI report was also misleading. But finally, we could diagnose the exact problem,” Dr Jigar Shah, neurosurgeon.
Cost of the surgery was around Rs 5 lakh that was covered under Ayushman Card. After the surgery Dipika hopes to unite with her husband.