Do I have Neuralgia?

  I'm 31, and ever since my teenage years I have experienced occasional sensitivity in my face. It varies from side to side. Sometimes it spreads to my head and it's too sensitive/painful to brush my hair. Sometimes I have ear ache or toothache associated with it, but not always. I can't tell sometime if the ear ache/toothache causes the sensitivity or vice versa. Often times the inside of my mouth/gum is sensitive too. I don't usually have a headache with it. Ibuprofin or Tylenol will usually provide temporary relief. Nothing specific that I can tell seems to trigger it. Could this be a form of Neuralgia? If so, should I do something about it now to prevent it getting worse when I''m older? My mother had the same thing - maybe it's hereditary?
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Dear Elaine,
Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by sharp and shooting facial pains
of short duration on one side of the face.  The pain may be brought on by
heat, cold, a touch and various other maneuvers.  Symptoms on both sides
of the face are unusual in this symdrome.  Trigeminal neuralgia is initially
treated medically with a medicine such as Tegretol.  Should this fail there
are numerous other therapies to consider, including surgery.
Your symptoms on both sides of the face are atypical for trigeminal neuralgia.
A specific diagnosis is difficult over the internet, but a physician might
consider atypical facial pain.  You may seek an opinion from a neurologist
if the pain continues.  He or she will guide you as to the appropriate course
of action.
You may obtain an opinion from a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic by calling
800-223-2273.  As the operator for the neurology desk.
Good luck.