Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Dull ache in occipital region and sweats
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Dull ache in occipital region and sweats
by cranial nerved, May 11, 2003 12:00AM
My experience started one day when I woke up with quite severe left sided eye pain,swelling and redness. I thought it was from perhaps a foreigh body so I rinsed it and used some drops. After many hours it subsided but left me with a bit of tearing and a dull ache. Around that time I also had a bit of an ear ache external which really wasn't that bothersome. Prior to this my upper left gums was giving me some problems bleeding and uncomfortable. Anyhow I was out of town working in a remote area as a nurse at the time.
When I returned home a week later the ear continued to be noticable but more noticable was that I continued with my eye ache tearing etc so went to opthalmologist and in his office I noticed my lips were numb and my smile was no longer. I have been told I have Bell's and am going to see Neuro. I experience no facial pain but have a lingering ache in the back of my head with sharp twitches periodically.I also have noticed that I am having sweats often but no fever. I am on prednisone now. My facial paralysis is complete with no feeling or movement.
I had also been investigated for some cervical nodes which I had found but felt to be benign in nature and they were quite small.
Is the ache in the occipital region from Bell's? Could that be another cranial nerve compression?
I'm a little worried but it's only Day 7 in the diagnosis
When I returned home a week later the ear continued to be noticable but more noticable was that I continued with my eye ache tearing etc so went to opthalmologist and in his office I noticed my lips were numb and my smile was no longer. I have been told I have Bell's and am going to see Neuro. I experience no facial pain but have a lingering ache in the back of my head with sharp twitches periodically.I also have noticed that I am having sweats often but no fever. I am on prednisone now. My facial paralysis is complete with no feeling or movement.
I had also been investigated for some cervical nodes which I had found but felt to be benign in nature and they were quite small.
Is the ache in the occipital region from Bell's? Could that be another cranial nerve compression?
I'm a little worried but it's only Day 7 in the diagnosis
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, May 13, 2003 12:00AM
Pain behind the ear in patients with Bell's palsy is a well described phenomenon that usually happens at the onset of symptoms. However, in some patients the pain can extend to the back part of the head, is rather intense and persistent. Fortunately, 80% of patients recover within weeks to months. A good prognostic sign is recovery of taste or some motor function within the first week. But just becuase you haven't experienced any improvement doesn't mean you won't have a good recovery. So hang in there, continue with the steroids, and talk to your doctor about acyclovir (anti-herpes med) as there is some evidence of herpetic infection causing Bell's palsy. Good luck.
Member Comments (2)
by Silva, May 11, 2003 12:00AM
About a year ago, I had experienced this knife like pain over the left side of my head, directly over the left ear. Initially, I thought I had an ear ache but the pain would stab about every 3 seconds, this was intolerable. My entire left side of my head hurt to the touch, like all the nerve endings were on fire. It stopped me from my normal activities. This went on for 3 days straight, even awakening me from sleep. I tried advil, ibuprofen, tylenol anything to take some of the pain and nothing worked. I then thought possibly searching on the internet for clues as to what this might be. I came up with Occipital Neuralgia and then went to see my doctor. He was surprised that I was able to find such accurate findings. He prescribed Indomethacin 75 mg. I took one immediately that night and within 1/2 hour all the pain subsided. I now keep this with me at all times. I have had 2 occurrences of this since initially diagnosed, and it was on the right side of my head the second time.
