Facial numbness

Have a good quality MRI scan - your practitioner should refer you to the appropriate neuro people. It's OK to "think" you might have TN, but that's not good enough. Referral to an experienced neurosurgeon group will result in a full clinical work- up and if they suspect TN they will book you in for a high quality MRI. That will give you the clear diagnosis, one way or the other. That's what you need otherwise you'll be messing about for months and get no-where.

Good luck my friend

Cheers

Big D

Hi, no numbness but everything else you describe. A feeling of Heat, possibly a feeling achiness. Ear ache, and yes the teeth pain and electrical shock. I had an MRI done to rule out other issues. An MRI isn't always going to be definitive to say, yes you have TN. But if you are having the signs and nothing else shows up you probably have some degree of TN.

Jaw issues can compress the nerve and inflame it at times.

Pressure in my ears from travel irritated mine also.

For me, relief it's all about no stress, no pressures, (ears teeth) and it does help. It takes concentration but So far I'm pain killer free. That stuff scares me.

Hi Chris - I read your post and can answer one question.  Before I had MVD surgery, I was constantly getting electrical shocks in my lower right jaw area.  The shocks would come out of nowhere and last for seconds.  The shocks would bring tears to my eyes,  Since I had the MD surgery in 2009, I have not had one shock.  Just a bit of info for you.

Hi,

Yes, I get a combination of numbness and a spikey footed spider crawling sensation over my cheek, earlobe and part of the lower jaw before the Carbamazepine is due when it needs to be increased, or if it is overdue. Before starting the drug I had the sensation all the time, especially following a trip to Oxford in particularly icy wind and rain. I get more pain too when the dose needs to be increased. I am still trying to get a fully effective dose after almost a year and a half!

Best wishes.

Hi Chris - I can certainly tell you about my journey with TN.  i have been suffering on a daily basis for now more than 10 years.  First of all, when I was diagnosed in 2006 I had no facial numbness but extreme pain.  In nov 2009 I had MVD surgery (brain) and a side feect from this surgery, is facial numbness.  I have a freezing and numb feeling in my right jaw, upper lip, cheek areas and in my temple.  This is the worst numbness on my face.  Electrical shocks are a definite side effect of TN.  I had my surgery done in another province about 2000 miles from my home so my initial appointment was with the surgeon by phone.  One of the main questions he asked me was do I get electrical shocks.  Since my MVD surgery, I have had not one electrical shock.  I would get the shocks so bad that tears would just flow from one eye.  I also seen a throat, ear and nose specialist and was told that the pain I was experinecing had nothing to do with these areas.  My strong suggestion to you is have your family physician refer you to either a pain specialist or neurologist.  They should be able to diagnosis you immediately and begin to treat your pain.  Please contact me if you have any questions - my journey has been a long one and I have much information to share.  best wishes.

HI there, Yes, I get numbness in my right cheek and stabbing pain in my gums on the right side...

I have had it now for 2 and a half years since a tooth extraction. 

I wish you the best.

Anna