tingling and numbness in face

[Christopher`]

I have had tingling and numbness in my face for about 1 year now. My GP said it was probably anxiety and put me on Buspar, but it has yet to get any better.  In the past week it has gotten even worse and I am getting really scared.  I have been to a neurologist who had MRI's done, and then he went on vacation and never contacted me - they said they would if something was wrong.  I do have anxiety and depression and last week was put on PROZAC - I want to go to another neurologist, but I don't want to start at the very beginning again..........  Could it be serious?  MS, Diabetes, etc..........

[MKimmy]

A related discussion, When I am nervous I get axiety and hives.  My face is red, fingers numb, and my toes are always numb.  I have pains everywhere.  I don't know somethimes if I am having a heart attack.  I do have alot of stress.  I also am going through early menapause at 42.  I am just thinking this is how the rest of my life is going to be like!  I am seeing a doctor for the first time in 8 years.  Just got Insurance, yeah!!!!  I don't think there gonna tell me anything.  Alot of running around to find out the problem.  The first thing one of my relatives said to me was fibermyalgia, becuase I have 2  cousins diagosted with it.  I don't know ??  I know it has to do with nerves.  My muscles are tight, my bones ache and I am always on edge!! was started.

[mamak76]

A related discussion, Possible Adverse reaction to RabAvert vaccination was started.

[danielle]

I have numbness on the left side of my face.  Not every day, but a few times per month.  My doctor, too said that it was anxiety and put me on buspar.  That doesn't seem to be helping.  I am currently looking for a new doctor.  It seems when I am upset or am hot, my face becomes numb.  The doctor doesn't seem to be too concerned.

[danielle]

I have numbness on the left side of my face.  Not every day, but a few times per month.  My doctor, too said that it was anxiety and put me on buspar.  That doesn't seem to be helping.  I am currently looking for a new doctor.  It seems when I am upset or am hot, my face becomes numb.  The doctor doesn't seem to be too concerned.  If anyone knows anything, feel free to write:  ***@****.

[lori]

HI, I am on here to try and find the answer to the numbness and tingling I have on the left hand side of my face.  It seems that if I even brush my hair on that side or sweep my hand along my cheek...it is very prickly and painful.  I am too wondering if it isnt because of an abcessed tooth.  I have had a sore tooth on that one side so I am going to check that out a.s.a.p...something I would never have thought of until reading all of this.....Thankyou!!

[Dear Christopher]

I have just read your problem with numbness etc on your face.  I had a problem similar to yours, I had numbness on the right side of my face.  If I blow dried my hair the air would hurt.  Any alcoholic drink I took made the numbness and pain worse.  I went to many doctors and dentists.  For more than a year this went on with also headaches.  Then one day my face swelled up on that side and It was found I had a very bad abcess in the lower tooth and jaw.  I also had a lymph node swollen on the back of that side of the neck.  I went to the oral surgeon (emergency)  The tooth & jaw needed about 7 shots of novocaine to numb.  When the dentist pulled it, it popped out of my head with all kinds of gas behind it.  Everything subsided then.  No exrays or exams detected it.  The abcess was too deep.

[Tricia]

I have been experiencing numbness in the left side of my face for almost 14 years now......I was told it is something called "trigeminal neuropathy".....Nothing helps it, and you just learn to live with it....I find that humidity aggrivates it though.  No one seemed interested in the fact that, although I used to get coldsores all the time, that since this happened I have not had a one.....

[MamaLama]

Christopher:

I too have experienced a tingling sensation in my face.  Mine started, however, after a bad reaction to an antibiotic.  First, I got extremely red cheeks and ears, and shoulders.  This lasted, and I noticed when I would go out in the cold wind, I would get this tingling sensation where the rash had been.  It has gotten better, and gradually "condensed" to just one cheek and base of nose.  Can't see a neuro until early October, so am just learning to live with it.  Any possiblity you might have a reaction to a drug?  I was worried it might be MS too, but my GP says I don't exhibit any other defecits.

Regards,
Sheryl B.

[Croz]

What tests do you perform investigate collagen-vascular disease and how do you consequently diagnose or rule it out?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Christopher:

Sorry to hear about your numbness.  From what you have described, it is difficult to tell you what might be going on.  If the numbness is your total face and is unilateral, this would suggest that there is a process in your brain.  If it is located on one side but not including the total side of the face, then it is likely located in the peripheral nerve.  If it is bilateral, then it suggests more of a systemic reason or etiology.  Systemic reasons might be diabetes, arthritis, lyme disease, collagen-vascular disease, herpes or other infection etc.  I would suggest a second opinion, even though you'll have to explain more stuff from the beginning, a new pair of eyes and hands might pick up something on the neurological exam and MRI scans and another brain thinking about your problem.

Sorry, I am not much help.

Sincerely,

CCf Neuro MD