Neuralgia/Vertigo

[Shattered81]

I'm struggling to get a drs appointment and would like some idea of what may be wrong.

I have been dizzy and stumblely for 5year plus, was tested for a stroke and told it was vertigo, was given antisickness/dizzy pills which made me dizzy.

6 months ago, I got terrible face pain and a large swelling at the corner of my jaw, had blood test and antibiotics, dr diagnosed neuralgia and gave me amitriptyline for when its bad. The pain comes and goes, regularly get stabbing pains under my ear and sometimes around the jaw and cheek bone hurt badly for days/week on end.

I have listed below all the problems I have in the last month:
Confusion/zone out - cant think of words or spell, struggle to work out how to get where I am going, forget words, find it hard to make a sandwich, lose track of time etc
Semi numb/tingling - back of hands, sides of face near ears, lips, tip of nose.
Slightly blue lips
Stumble
Shake
Slurry, lisp, spitting
Overwhelming tiredness
Excessive blinking
Cold/frozen feeling down arms and back of hands, like some injections you feel moving through you
'lump' in throat, sometimes catching when I swallow (throat looks fine).

I have had all of these things today apart from the blue lips.

This is a massive amount of things and it's making me feel like it's in my head. I'd love to know what it could be.

please help

[Foggy2]

It takes a while for that medication to work.  Did he/she mention the name "trigeminal neuralgia?"  This may be what he/she is treating you for.  Here is more info. about it:  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/trigeminal_neuralgia/detail_trigeminal_neuralgia.htm#262493236

Did you tell your ENT MD that you were just put on amitriptyline?  Are you now on BOTH meds?  Do both MD's know you are on them or did you stop one of them?  Do you have a sinus problem or not?

If it turns out that you only have the nerve pain in your face, you may want to see a Neurolgist instead after reading the link above.

Let us know how you do and I will await your reply to the questions above.

[Shattered81]

I've not been given a name for it, just told facial nerve pain. The tablets were amitriptyline.
I had an ent appointment for sinusitus on Monday and he has given me different antidepressents and refered me for an ultrasound of my jaw and neck.

We shall see what is said...

[Foggy2]

What is the name of the neuralgia?  There are many kinds; what is yours called?

What medication(s) did they give you for this neuralgia?

I strongly suggest that you make an appt. with a Neurologist (or GP if you need a referral first to see the Neurologist) since your symptoms concern me and the fact that you are caring for children.

I will await your reply.

[Shattered81]

Hi Foggy, thanks for your response. Just trying to get a GPs appointment, but struggling to find one in between work and school run. I had blood tests when I was diagnosed with neuralgia, and told they were all clear.

I'm a 33 year old single mum, so it's all a bit worrying. I have family near by if I'm struggling who will take the kids.

I have no medical problems and only take pills for neuralgia. Episodes last various amounts of time, pain can be weeks, slurring and wobbles might be 4hours or 2 days, currently been confused (forgetting words and what im doing) since thursday lunch time.

I will take sometime out of work (I don't get paid if im off) and get to see the doctor asap.

[Foggy2]

What kind of doctor have you been seeing and what kind are you trying to see now?  You need to see someone now, esp. when you have episodes of "blue lips."  When you have this...you go to the ER.

Start with your PCP, but you need a Neurologist as well.  Both doctors need to talk to each other.

Have you had testing done?  If so, what?

Do you have someone to help you at home?  How old are you?

What other medical problems do you have and what medications do you take?

How long do these episodes last?  Less than an hour or more than an hour?

You have a lot going on, but you need to see a doctor soon.  If you have an episode of blue lips, difficulty swallowing, weakness on one side of your body, slurred speech...call 911 to go to the ER since this could be a stroke.