nose pain and apparent sinus headaches? -- constant nerve throbbing in nose for 1.5 yr

[bullyboo]

Hi, have suffering this totally distressful pain condition for 1.5 yr now, it is constant. When it first started it came out of the blue, when i felt that wearing glasses pressing on my nose bridge created a headache immediately. Now I'm wearing contacts, but the pain is constantly centered on my nose. I can feel both sides of my nose constantly vibrating/throbbing corresponding to my heartbeat (main syptom), accompanied by pain at the centre of my forehead above the bridge of my nose, frequent eye pain (behind the eyes), sometimes sides of head feel pain as well. Nerve meds don't work, and CT and MRI scans are negative. External stimuli now do not change my pain at all. Several ENTs told me they can't find anything physically wrong so did not advise surgery. The nerves at both sides of my nose relentlessly vibrate and pulsate and I feel that they are responsible for the pain felt in my sinus area.

Do you think it is ENT related or simply a neurological disorder? I read online about this rare anterior ethmoid nerve syndrome -- do you think my condition is related to the anterior ethmoid nerves, if so what surgical options are there? Have suffered a lot and really need to resolve this. Thanks.  

[rooka]

ive been suffering from pain in my left cheek for 2 years 10 months now... no one can work out what it is either.... no sinus disease... no cysts.. no tumours... nothing physically wrong.

the pain started as a throbbing out of the blue also, constant, and now is a burning (last 1.5 years or so) its so intense ive quit my job and cant concentrate too much.. eg reading, driving, the mall bc all the loud noises and visually too stimulating.. and this is all bc of too much pain.

so ... the neuropathic pain medications ive tried. tegratol, amytriptaline, gabapentin... and now in combination with gabapentin (neurontin brand is best) epilim.
All of these will make you drowsy, less focused, give you memory loss... etc.. but the best ive found is neurontin. I take about 2400mg a day. In the UK i think 1800mg is the limit. but in Australia we dont have these limits.

So these are some of the neuropathic medications. that you can try. IF these dont work than you can move into stronger pain medications such as the opiads.

best of luck to you

[bullyboo]

Tried the meds that neurologist has prescribed and they don't work. The pain is still constantly there with the vibrating and pulling sensation in both sides of nose and centre of my forehead as well as the pressure in my head. The nerve meds that I tried include tegretol, elavil, epilim, lyrica and neurontin. When I press against the back of my head I can feel the nerves in my nose get more 'activated' and the vibrating sensation increase. ENT scans revealed that I have a deviated septum and concha bullosa.

Any ideas anyone? Pls help! Thanks.

[ENTMD]

Certainly the scans have ruled out sinus disease as a source for the pain.  More commonly, pain in this area is related to things such as migraines, midfacial segment pain, 'atypical facial pain', tension headaches, vision problems.  I suppose there may be a chance that it's something very rare, but I would only entertain that once the other more common possibilities have been ruled out.  You would be well-served by seeing a Neurologist and/or pain specialist.

[denzil41]

i have the same got a blocked maxillary sinus having surgery sat 5th so scared but hopefully it will workx