Chronic pain in face
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Around 4 months ago, I developed a severe pain in one side of my face. It is located in a few areas: below my cheekbone (sinus area) and then radiating along the base of the cheekbone almost to the jaw joint, then down towards the lower jaw. For the first 4 weeks, I had a raised temperature (particularly at night), aches, general feeling of being unwell and wanting to sleep during the day, pressure in the roof of my mouth, redness on the surface of the cheek and minor swelling in the cheek.
The fever-type symptoms have gone but I am left with the pain. I will have maybe 2 - 3 days of relief (little or no pain, no other symptoms) and then it will "flare up" i.e. I will have severe pain often accompanied by redness of the cheek and swelling/rigidity in the cheek (from the middle of the cheek towards the jaw joint) and a horrible tugging sensation. That will last for maybe 4 - 5 days before dying down again. I often feel pain associated with a molar on my top jaw during these flare ups but that could just be referred pain. The tooth has been examined and x-rayed by my dentist who says it looks healthy.
I would describe the pain as a really bad ache with some sharpness. Similar to the pain you would feel by pressing a fingernail hard into your gum (I'm not suggesting you try this!). When it flares up it's completely debilitating. It appears to be worse when lying flat on my back, occasionally worse when leaning my head forward (but not dramatically so). It is always worst in the evenings/when I lie down in bed at night and usually better in the mornings.
I have a history of pericoronitis on that side of the face, associated with the wisdom tooth on the lower jaw (which is only partially through the gum). About 1 month ago I had an episode of what I think was pericoronitis in the same area which resulted in pus coming from the gum (about a pea-sized amount in total). I can't be 100% sure whether that was a coincidence or linked to this ongoing issue.
So far I've been prescribed short courses (3 - 5 days) of antibiotics (amoxicillin, doxycycline and metronidazole) which do not appear to have had any effect. My gut feeling is that it is some kind of persistent infection which just won't clear up. Blood tests from about 2 months ago showed slightly elevated levels of white blood cells.
I feel that no-one (doctor/dentist) is really listening to me when I explain the severity of the pain or the fact that it feels like an untreated, lingering infection. I am basically being told that they don't know what it is and I should just wait a few more weeks/months "to see what happens".
If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts I would be extremely grateful!
0 likes, 1 reply
bernipes sarah71509
Posted
Hi, Sarah! I am so sorry that you are going through this. Well, since the dentist examined you and said that there is nothing wrong with your teeth, the only suggestion I can give you is to see an ear, nose and throat specialist or a general doctor, because from what you describe, you could have chronic sinusitis. Perhaps by being examined by these other specialists and maybe having a CT scan of the face, you will find out what the problem is. Good luck!