Home / Health / Face Pain MSP Prepares for Life-Changing Surgery
Face Pain MSP Prepares for Life-Changing Surgery
20 Jul
Summary
- MSPs can face severe pain attacks triggering her speech.
- She has trigeminal neuralgia, a painful facial nerve condition.
- She undergoes complex surgery to relieve constant pain.
Scottish Greens MSP Cara McKee is set to undergo complex surgery this week to address trigeminal neuralgia, a debilitating neurological condition causing severe facial pain. She recently experienced debilitating attacks while delivering her maiden speech in Holyrood, a testament to the unpredictable nature of her illness. Despite the severity of her condition, McKee was determined to stand for election to ensure that individuals with chronic pain are represented and have their experiences understood in parliament.
She described the pain as similar to an electric shock, often triggered by everyday actions like smiling, talking, or even light touch. The diagnosis process was lengthy, spanning years before she received the correct medication. Although current medication has provided some relief, its effectiveness has waned, leading to frequent and intense pain, particularly since she turned 50.
The upcoming surgery, known as Microvascular decompression (MVD), will involve a neurosurgeon carefully separating a blood vessel that is compressing her trigeminal nerve. McKee expressed anxiety about the procedure but hopes it will free her from the constant pain and allow her to discontinue medication that causes side effects like brain fog and fatigue. She aims to raise public awareness about trigeminal neuralgia, an invisible illness that affects many, and will need a recovery period following the operation.
