What is this pain?

[BonnCass]

I am a woman 44.  For the past couple of years I have had intermittant pain in the nerves in my face and head.  It usually seems to be related to the onset of PMS.  I will get a outbreak on my face which is different from acne.  It has been described as shingles type.  After a day or two, one or two nerves in my face,or head(over the right and left ear running to the base of the skull) will get a transient severe pain running what seems to be the length of the nerve.  It only last for a fraction of a secound.   I wince with the pain.  If it lasted any longer I think I would pass out, or fall to the ground in agony.  I have found that if I take Ibuprophen, it keeps it in check pretty well.  But if I do not take it every two hours the pain comes in.  This goes on even after the break out goes away.  The pain episode can last for a couple of weeks to a month.  Then goes away. Could this be related to Shingles at all? Bon

[Caliber2005]

Hi Bonn,
How are you feeling now? Is Ibuprofen helping you? If not, then you can discuss with your neurologist to add on to some narcotic analgesics, which would definitely help you.
Alternatively you can also consult pain management specialist to work up a pain control plan for you. What I want from you is that you should not take analgesics whenever you feel pain, but these medicines should be taken at regular time daily and in fixed interval. This would help you in pain control in better way then taking when you are anxious of pain.
I am not sure whether the hormones are affecting in your pain control, but if you feel strongly about it, then you can consult an endocrinologist.
Yes, definitely your pain will go away.
What is the improvement in pain since you lasted posted?
Keep me informed about your health and generalized well being.
Bye.

[BonnCass]

no rash, but did have unexplained fever a week prior of the "attack".  100 degree.  I have not officially been diagnosed with shingles.  But it seems to fit.  Can I do anything else for the pain besides the Ibuprophen, and is it related to the hormonal changes? Will it go away?  Thank you for your answer.  Bon

[Caliber2005]

Hi,
Do you have any rash anywhere along the distribution of nerve? Did you have any kind of fever etc
? Did you have shingles in near past?
I think this can be trigeminal neuralgia pain. What I feel you are suffering from is trigeminal neuralgia, in which pain is distributed along the course of nerve on face.  The Pain which is severe in nature, stabbing type, lasting for few seconds to minute and which has a triggering factor to it describes pain of trigeminal neuralgia. Physical examination of the patient is normal.
Hope this helps.
Bye.