Aa
A few questions
OK. So, for about 8 years, I have had pretty severe "headaches" that normally focus IN my eye (mostly on the right side, but have been on the left a couple times). It honestly feels like my eyeball is swollen and going to explode. Strangely enough they have tapered off to only 1 or 2 times a year (for several years). I put it down as Cluster Headaches and just really didn't think much about it, except, of course, during one of the headaches.
Well... About 3 years ago, I started having the thought that maybe I have some type of trigeminal nerve damage, or compression. I have pain that is in front of my right ear, basically in the TMJ. It is pretty constant, for weeks at a time, then just goes away. Most of the time its a dull ache, but can be severe and VERY sharp at times. The pain runs up to my temple, across the top teeth, and down my jaw line. The times when it is the MOST severe is when I am having a flare up of the pain and decide to eat a piece of candy, or anything rich. It feels like the muscles there are on fire... I also have numbness that will come and go. It is always on the right side of my mouth, inside, lips, tongue. Just tingly numb, for about 5 minutes or more.
I know, of course, that I need to talk to my doctor. But, I work at the office and hate to come across as a hypochondriac. I JUST went back to work after having an ovarian cyst (and the ovary and tube) removed... I mentioned the pain to him before, and he said it sounded like TN. And I really do not want to be on anti-seizure meds, or anything. I will just continue to deal with the pain. I have had teeth pulled, and root canals on other teeth, thinking the pain was from my teeth, and of course, the dentists are more than happy to do the work, because its a payday for them. But it gets frustrating not knowing what is going on.
Does this sound like I TN? Or TMJ disorder? Or cluster headaches? Do my symptoms sound like anyone else's here? Thanks for any help. I am a nurse, and I know SOME symptoms for a lot of different things, so it gets overwhelming thinking of all the things it COULD be. But actually having a diagnosis, you all have deeper insight and can help me clear some of the cobwebs out! Thanks! H
Well... About 3 years ago, I started having the thought that maybe I have some type of trigeminal nerve damage, or compression. I have pain that is in front of my right ear, basically in the TMJ. It is pretty constant, for weeks at a time, then just goes away. Most of the time its a dull ache, but can be severe and VERY sharp at times. The pain runs up to my temple, across the top teeth, and down my jaw line. The times when it is the MOST severe is when I am having a flare up of the pain and decide to eat a piece of candy, or anything rich. It feels like the muscles there are on fire... I also have numbness that will come and go. It is always on the right side of my mouth, inside, lips, tongue. Just tingly numb, for about 5 minutes or more.
I know, of course, that I need to talk to my doctor. But, I work at the office and hate to come across as a hypochondriac. I JUST went back to work after having an ovarian cyst (and the ovary and tube) removed... I mentioned the pain to him before, and he said it sounded like TN. And I really do not want to be on anti-seizure meds, or anything. I will just continue to deal with the pain. I have had teeth pulled, and root canals on other teeth, thinking the pain was from my teeth, and of course, the dentists are more than happy to do the work, because its a payday for them. But it gets frustrating not knowing what is going on.
Does this sound like I TN? Or TMJ disorder? Or cluster headaches? Do my symptoms sound like anyone else's here? Thanks for any help. I am a nurse, and I know SOME symptoms for a lot of different things, so it gets overwhelming thinking of all the things it COULD be. But actually having a diagnosis, you all have deeper insight and can help me clear some of the cobwebs out! Thanks! H
Thank you both. I have been doing quite a bit more reading and research. I have an appointment with my family doctor tomorrow for a physical. I will mention all of my symptoms and different problems to him. My fear of coming across as a hypochondriac is pretty deep rooted (my mom is very much a hypochondriac, and sort-of borders on Munchhausen's, to be honest). More my own personal fear of following that route... But. I know how important it is to be honest and seek the right treatment (I'm a nurse, but as most people have heard, we are sometimes the worst patient's!) But, again thank you both painterchic and nancy99n!
I have MS and TN, so I can tell you that Yes they are related. TN can be caused by a blood vessel or vein compressing the nerve, as a symptom of MS, by a tumor, or sometimes the docs can't tell you why.
The advice about a pain journal is a very good idea because most docs diagnose TN by ruling out all other possibilities and by the patient'sdescription of their symptoms.
My advice is to find a Facial Pain specialist. TN is considered 'rare' by the medical pros. You want to talk to a doc who specializes in facial pain. Someone who deals with this on a daily basis.
Hopefully it's something else that can be taken care of or controlled easily. One thing you don't want to do is just 'put up' with pain. Your nerve can become sensitized and 'learn' that the erroneous pain signal is 'normal'.
Wishing you a pain solution,
Nancy
The advice about a pain journal is a very good idea because most docs diagnose TN by ruling out all other possibilities and by the patient'sdescription of their symptoms.
My advice is to find a Facial Pain specialist. TN is considered 'rare' by the medical pros. You want to talk to a doc who specializes in facial pain. Someone who deals with this on a daily basis.
Hopefully it's something else that can be taken care of or controlled easily. One thing you don't want to do is just 'put up' with pain. Your nerve can become sensitized and 'learn' that the erroneous pain signal is 'normal'.
Wishing you a pain solution,
Nancy
Hi there,
Sorry you are going through all this and I wish I had a clear cut answer for you. I wish I could tell you walking into a doctors office would give you one as well, but that will not be the case. One thing you can do, if you want, is relieve yourself of the anxiety of worrying about the what if of MS, because as far as I know it is the one thing that does show up on an MRI. Most cases of TN do not, even if they are there.
Diagnosis would be made first by trying the anti seizure drug you want to avoid and seeing if you respond to it. And if you do, then you are fairly certain to label yourself with TN.
However, TMJ can crossover as well with some very similar symptoms, so it gets tricky and it's a long process.
The best thing you can do right now is write EVERYTHING down.
Triggers. What/when/why you had pain, and how bad it was and how long it lasted,where it was and what type. Keep a journal.
Find alternative ways to be comfortable. Hot packs work for me, sleep also. Although not always an option, is it. Even quiet laying down can help.
Avoid the triggers when you can.
At some point, you just might want to give in and see a doctor, or at least ask some questions. You won't come across as a hypochondriac. Knowledge is power and the first thing you must do is get as much as you can.
Check out www.fpa-support.org, register and learn a lot, as well as find resources in your area.
Good luck to you!
Sorry you are going through all this and I wish I had a clear cut answer for you. I wish I could tell you walking into a doctors office would give you one as well, but that will not be the case. One thing you can do, if you want, is relieve yourself of the anxiety of worrying about the what if of MS, because as far as I know it is the one thing that does show up on an MRI. Most cases of TN do not, even if they are there.
Diagnosis would be made first by trying the anti seizure drug you want to avoid and seeing if you respond to it. And if you do, then you are fairly certain to label yourself with TN.
However, TMJ can crossover as well with some very similar symptoms, so it gets tricky and it's a long process.
The best thing you can do right now is write EVERYTHING down.
Triggers. What/when/why you had pain, and how bad it was and how long it lasted,where it was and what type. Keep a journal.
Find alternative ways to be comfortable. Hot packs work for me, sleep also. Although not always an option, is it. Even quiet laying down can help.
Avoid the triggers when you can.
At some point, you just might want to give in and see a doctor, or at least ask some questions. You won't come across as a hypochondriac. Knowledge is power and the first thing you must do is get as much as you can.
Check out www.fpa-support.org, register and learn a lot, as well as find resources in your area.
Good luck to you!
Also, does anyone know, offhand, if TN has much relation to MS? I have done quite a few searches, and almost everywhere I am led to by clicking links, I run into MS. I need to just go back through my nursing books and research it, but I have gotten lazy about my books, and the internet seems so much easier. But I think all I am doing is scaring myself. Thanks! Again! H
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