Shocks in face

[biowham]

I've had electric shocks cross my face essentially from my ear across my cheekbone for several weeks now. They are not terrible pain by any means, just quick zaps. Sometimes, they go over my eyebrow, too. Sometimes, making a certain face seems to set one off, or if I touch my face right at the cheekbone.

I'm seeing a neurologist because of other things, symptoms that had people thinking MS but now they're just confused, so we're in a waiting game. Anyway, this obviously isn't *real* trigeminal neuralgia, but is it something else related to that? They're pretty frequent little zaps. What would cause this to happen? It's right side only.

Thanks,
Bio

[Michael Lim, MD]

In general, trigeminal neuralgia is a clinical diagnosis.  Patients usually report electric like shocks across one side of the face in part or all of the face.  They're usually set off by brushing your teeth, cold drinks, breeze across the face, talking, or even making facial expressions.  Your symptoms may be consistent with trigeminal neuralgia.  You may want to ask your neurologist about your symptoms.