facial and tongue numbness

[fiesta]

My 31 year old daughter has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and is on medication. It is now thought that she also has ms. We are awaiting the results of an MRI. (I have a cousin with ms.) My daughter recently developed numbness on the left side of her face and tongue. It varies some in intensity, but she can bite tongue and not feel it at all. Is this another symptom of ms? Right now she is being seen by her general physician. Should she just go ahead and try to see a neurologist? She is in Wichita, Ks. area. Thank you.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Facial/mouth numbness can be a presenting symptom of MS. The MRI (have it done with dye/gadolinium) is a good start. I agree with the suggestion to see a neurologist, especially if the MRI is abnormal. But even if it doesn't show anything, it would be helpful to have a formal neuro exam just to make sure everyhting is ok. Good luck.

[snowferry]

has anyone checked for bells palsy?

[fiesta]

Thank you for suggestion. MRI back today and is within normal limits. Sees doctor on Friday. Entire face and tongue now numb. Glad it is not MS, but back to square one. Next step will be to see a neurologist. If it is all more symptoms of the fibromyalgia it is severe.

[angs]

I am a 26 year old female with facial and tongue numbness. I also suffer from chronic fatigue, severe headaches, neck and back pain. The right side of my face goes numb, but not to the point that I can not feel anything, about 8 or 9 times a day. I have also had some visual problems that come and go. I have seen a neurologist who did an open MRI. It came back normal, except for a flattened pituitary gland. My doc said that is normal and nothing to worry about. I was put on neurontin for my headaches and told that this was all migraine related. I am not so sure. If anyone has any clues, please let me know. I haven't been able to post a question yet. I will ASAP.

[mrssant]

Hi I suffer from Anxiety and Depression. Recently, I have had some disturbing events happen in my life to accelerate my symptoms. I currently take the antidepressant Celexa. One of my symptoms which I find very disturbing and which I don't normally find on a symptom list for depression is my tongue is numb and tingling. When I touch it I dont have a lot of feeling and it hurts as if I burnt it on a hot cup of coffee. This usually lasts several days when I get it and I also get a bitter taste in my mouth along with this. At first I thought it was some kind of stomach upset because I also have nausea so I have been taking an antacid but that does not make any difference. I am at my wit's end trying to figure out what causes this. I have told several doctor's but they are clueless. Please help me!! If you can suggest what kind of doctor to go to or maybe some medication that would be helpful I would welcom that advice with open arms.   Thank You so much for listening.  
Sincerely, Janice Grange

[Pooh Bear]

I have Trigeminal Neuralgia.   This involves the fith cranial nerve.  I have numbness and severe pain in my face and mouth.

[Momsfirst]

My mother is 78 years old and is contemplating significant surgery to explore the reason for the paralysis on the left side of her face including her tongue.  Her Internist and ENT doctors have referred her to a cranial specialist for a biopsie of a "schwannoma" which became evident during a MRI.  The hope is that a biopsie will direct thier care in order to reduce her uncomfortablness.  She is very fatigued from the constant strain.  The schwannoma is located on her trigeminal nerve (the 5th cranial nerve).  A needle biopsie was unsuccessful and could not be completed due to exstensive bleeding.  Therefore, she is considering this surgical alternative.  

The surgeon has indicated that this procedure is exploritory and may not provide any relief, yet it is necessary to evaluate further care.

I am writing this notes for two reasons.  1- The term schwanoma might be helpful to some of the other participants who have described similar discomfort and pain. and 2- I am pondering the question of this 6 hour exploratory procedure for my somewhat frail mother.

[js1025]

I currently have been experiencing migraine headaches monthly.  This month I thought I had the flu on feb.13 and went to bed with a migraine and experienced white flashes when my eyes were closed and numbness on the left side of my face.  Today is Feb 15 and my left eye feels droopy and my cheek bone feels numb still.  I am under a lot of stress and may be over exagerating.  One of my employees mentioned MS and here I am online.  If it doesn't go away I'll be going to the doc on Mon.  Til then is there a concern?

[graceful]

I ALSO SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY DISORDER.I USE TO EXPERIENCE NUMBNESS IN MY FACE, IT ABOUT DROVE ME CRAZY.MY DOCTOR PERCRIBED A MEDICINE FOR ME CALLED VISTORIL.THIS DRUG IS ALSO USED FOR PATIENTS THAT OR RECOVERRING FROM DRUG ADDICTION.THAT IS NOT WHY HE PERCRIBED IT FOR ME.PEOPLE THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY WHEN I TOLD FHEM MY FACE WAS NUMB OR ASSLEEP. HE IS MY PSYCH. AND HE TOLD ME TO TRY VISTORIL AND SEE IF IT WOULD HELP ME.I STARTED IT AND IN ABOUT ONE WEEK MY SYMPTONS WERE BETTER. I TOOK IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR, AND NOW I DONT TAKE IT AT ALL.THERE HAVEBEEN TIMES I HAVE HAD TO GET IT FILLED AND TAKE IT BUT IT DIDNOT TAKE BUT ONE REFILL FOR IT TO HELP ME. MAYBE THIS WILL HELP YOU! I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE FOR NOE TO UNDERSTAND.GOOD LUCK!! GRACEFUL

[tulip88]

I woke up two days agin and my tongue was numb!
I had a few other symptoms-such as my gums and teeth were achey (achy)..
The next day- the same numbness-mine feels like I burned it as well and it gets tingles also.
I am also experiencing a slight blurr in my vision.
This has been the second full day of these symptoms. Please suggest what I should do if I keep experiencing these symptoms.

[Nikki13]

My mother is 58 yrs old and for the past 4 months has been suffering from numbness of her tongue and on the left side of her face. She also says that her teeth feel as if they are "frozen". Even during the hottest days of the summer she has to keep a heating pad on her mouth to get any relief. She cannot eat solid foods because they fall out of her mouth since she can't feel anything or she bites her tongue so hard it bleeds. She has lost a tremdous amount of weight and lives on Ensure. She has seen a nuero. and he is stumped. He is now sending her to a ENT. She suffers from Manic-Depression and Fibromyalgia. Anyone else suffer from these symptoms and had a diagnosis? Any doctors out there with a clue? We are getting desperate for answers. I am really worried about her. How long can she go on without eating???!!

[nurse1972]

It sounds like you all should look into getting checked for Mercury poisoning if you have amalgam fillings.  Many of your symptoms, especially the gum pain, and the funny taste are telltale signs of mercury poisoning!

[Babu100]

A related discussion, Numbness was started.

[ROONEY10]

A related discussion, numbness in the tongue and face was started.