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Irritated facial nerve
Hi,
I have been having a persistent irritation on the right side of my face. I started at first as pain in my ear, but not it feels as if there are electric currents running up and down the nerve in the middle of my right cheek. This started several years ago and I went to three different doctors, but couldn't seem to get any help. May be because I couldn't explain what I was feeling very well. It doesn't hurt but there are times when it becomes very strong. I haven't had this feeling for serval years and all of a sudden it started again. I can feel it on both sides of my face as time goes on. Even in my lips and throat there are pulsing sensations. If I apply pressure to the side of my face it subsides a little, but this goes on constantly. The only time I don't feel it is when I first wake up. Are there any disorders of the facial nerves that I can be tested for? I have never had head scans or anything like that but this drives me crazy...it is so over whelming. I don't know what to do about it and I hope this it isn't something serious.
I have been having a persistent irritation on the right side of my face. I started at first as pain in my ear, but not it feels as if there are electric currents running up and down the nerve in the middle of my right cheek. This started several years ago and I went to three different doctors, but couldn't seem to get any help. May be because I couldn't explain what I was feeling very well. It doesn't hurt but there are times when it becomes very strong. I haven't had this feeling for serval years and all of a sudden it started again. I can feel it on both sides of my face as time goes on. Even in my lips and throat there are pulsing sensations. If I apply pressure to the side of my face it subsides a little, but this goes on constantly. The only time I don't feel it is when I first wake up. Are there any disorders of the facial nerves that I can be tested for? I have never had head scans or anything like that but this drives me crazy...it is so over whelming. I don't know what to do about it and I hope this it isn't something serious.
I am not in any pain. The best way to describe what I feel would be compared to placing a cellphone against your face while it is vibrating. This goes on all day, but particularly in one spot is more intense, I guess thats where it starts. It can have some sharp pains but for the most part it isn't painful. The problem is that it starts small and then both sides of my face bother me and it spreads down to my throat and chest. It hasn't happened for several years but I wonder if stress from school may have trigured it. I wonder if it is an allergy to something....it starts when the weather becomes cooler, so I don't know if that is a factor or just coincidence.
Hi.
You could try taking an over-the-counter pain medication such as an NSAID which might provide some relief, just as long as you don't have any contraindications or allergies to the drug. Naproxen (Priaxen) and ibuprofen (Ibulgan), if I am correct, are available in the Bahamas.
Remember that these NSAIDs should be taken with at least eight ounces of water to help prevent the drugs from irritating the delicate lining of the esophagus and stomach. Also, let gravity help move the pills along by NOT lying down for at least 15 to 30 minutes after each dose. These two particular drugs should be taken at least 2 hours after a meal. If you have gastrointestinal symptoms from taking these, you can take some gastroprotective drug such as esomeprazole along with these.
Relief from pain would most likely be temporary. It is still important for you to consult a physician.
Hope this helps.
You could try taking an over-the-counter pain medication such as an NSAID which might provide some relief, just as long as you don't have any contraindications or allergies to the drug. Naproxen (Priaxen) and ibuprofen (Ibulgan), if I am correct, are available in the Bahamas.
Remember that these NSAIDs should be taken with at least eight ounces of water to help prevent the drugs from irritating the delicate lining of the esophagus and stomach. Also, let gravity help move the pills along by NOT lying down for at least 15 to 30 minutes after each dose. These two particular drugs should be taken at least 2 hours after a meal. If you have gastrointestinal symptoms from taking these, you can take some gastroprotective drug such as esomeprazole along with these.
Relief from pain would most likely be temporary. It is still important for you to consult a physician.
Hope this helps.
Hi,
Is there anything that I can take to that will provide some form of temporary relief until I can see a doctor. I am in the middle of taking exams and studying is impossible. I have tried chewing gum, which helps to provide some relief, but this is driving me crazy.
Is there anything that I can take to that will provide some form of temporary relief until I can see a doctor. I am in the middle of taking exams and studying is impossible. I have tried chewing gum, which helps to provide some relief, but this is driving me crazy.
I drink quite a significant amount of coffee...could that be a factor as well. I have cut it down recently though.
Hi.
You are correct in that the predominant age that trigeminal neuralgia occurs is above 50 and rare before age 35 (you didn't mention your age in the first post). However, this doesn't mean that it is impossible to occur in younger persons. TN is only a differential diagnosis, a possible cause of your symptoms. It is entirely possible that a lot of other conditions could cause your symptoms, which is why a complete neurological examination is essential in determining what you have.
Unfortunately, I don't have any ideas on who you could go to in the Bahamas. Maybe someone else in this forum can help.
Good luck.
You are correct in that the predominant age that trigeminal neuralgia occurs is above 50 and rare before age 35 (you didn't mention your age in the first post). However, this doesn't mean that it is impossible to occur in younger persons. TN is only a differential diagnosis, a possible cause of your symptoms. It is entirely possible that a lot of other conditions could cause your symptoms, which is why a complete neurological examination is essential in determining what you have.
Unfortunately, I don't have any ideas on who you could go to in the Bahamas. Maybe someone else in this forum can help.
Good luck.
Hi,
Isn't that more common in older adults??? I am 23. This started when I was 16/17. There isn't any facial weakness. You wouldn't tell something is wrong unless I tell you. There isn't any pain either. Just the sensation. Its constant. I mean like all day. It gets more intense when I am doing things that require concentration or it is more evident I should say. I live in the Bahamas so I would have to travel out of the country to see a neurologist. Any suggestions of where to go?
Isn't that more common in older adults??? I am 23. This started when I was 16/17. There isn't any facial weakness. You wouldn't tell something is wrong unless I tell you. There isn't any pain either. Just the sensation. Its constant. I mean like all day. It gets more intense when I am doing things that require concentration or it is more evident I should say. I live in the Bahamas so I would have to travel out of the country to see a neurologist. Any suggestions of where to go?
No, atlest not for this. My teeth don't hurt but I plan to go to the dentist in the near future. I had some teeth pain awhile back, but haven't went to check it out as yet.
Hi.
It might be more of a problem of the trigeminal nerve than the facial nerve. If a facial nerve involvement is considered, there would probably be signs of facial weakness.
Your condition might be a milder form of trigeminal neuralgia. You could consult a neurologist to do a complete neurological examination and assess your symptoms.
Hope this helps.
It might be more of a problem of the trigeminal nerve than the facial nerve. If a facial nerve involvement is considered, there would probably be signs of facial weakness.
Your condition might be a milder form of trigeminal neuralgia. You could consult a neurologist to do a complete neurological examination and assess your symptoms.
Hope this helps.
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