Electric/throbbin pain left side of head
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi all
Right so this is weird.
Since yesterday afternoon just suddenly I have this striking pain that lasts about a second happening every 5-10 seconds, it feels like electric shocks/burning throbbing that actually makes me cringe when it strikes. I have felt the area and its not sore to the touch.
The pain was behind my ear so where the top tip of the ear is its in my head in that area but its now moved more to the top back part of my head (if that makes sense)
I saw a Dr this morning & after numerous questions etc. she diagnosed me with a form of Neuralgia
Im freaking out as thinking its a stroke or blood clot still!!
Has anyone ever had this pain & was it indeed neuralgia and nothing more sinister? - its so annoying!
0 likes, 8 replies
janice91400 kay19801
Posted
HELLO,
I HAVE HAD THESE SHOCKS IN MY HEAD FOR YEARS. DR. JUST IGNORES ME. IN THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA. HEAD PAIN, FACE PAIN, ALL MY TEETH ACHE AND THROB CONSTANTLY. I GOT SO DESPERATE I HAD ALL MY UPPER TEETH AND TWO LOWER TEETH REMOVED!! HAD AN MRI DONE, SHOWED NOTHING? THE NEUROLIGIST SAID! PHANTOM TOOTH PAIN. HE WAS OF NO HELP!!! MY DR. IS TREATING ME WITH LYRICA. I GET SOME RELIEF, BUT, THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE NOT FUN AT ALL.
YOU EVIDENTLY HAVE A NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEM. YOU WILL HAVE TO PRESS THE DRS. THEN HOPE THAT YOU CAN GET A DIAGNOSIS. SORRY TO SAY, MOST PEOPLE NEVER GET ANY REAL HELP.
BEST WISHES, JANICE.
kay19801 janice91400
Posted
Thanks - its awful - the pain shoots and then stops and then comes back again, been going on like this for the 2nd day now and its really worrying me like I am going to die in my sleep!
I dont have the face pain etc but its just the left side striking pain every 5 seconds or so!
The Dr gave me some Amitriptyline today but too scared to take it as it makes you sleepy and thats the last thing I would want to do!
anna38464 janice91400
Posted
Hi Janice,
I'm so sorry you are also suffering from this disease. I have had 4 molars pulled and the pain went to the next top molar and now to the bottom molar. I am debating whether to get those 2 teeth pulled. In your experience has the teeth being pulled made any difference? I want to save my molars but the pain is excruciating. However whenever I have a tooth pulled the pain goes to the next tooth. I have trie dall the medicines but am now on Gabapentin. It helps a bit but not much. Please let me know if you regret having the teeth pulled. Do you have dentures/. The neuro specialist told me I can not get any implants ever. Is that the same for you?
Thanks so much,
Anna
janice91400 anna38464
Posted
HELLO ANNA!
I had all my upper teeth removed, and two lower molars. made no difference. I do regret it. But, I was desperate!! I do have an upper plate. It has been hard to adjust to as Iam 70 yrs. old. I Live on the Canadian border and got my teeth made there. Ive had this condition for two and a half years. The summer of 2017 I began with pains in my head randomly. Then my teeth became sensitive., from there the pain increased, and increased!!! Dentist said trigeminol Neuralgia. Neurologist said Phantom tooth pain. Ive had mri, ctscans, xrays. No real diagnosis!! Been on gabapentine, Cymbalta, lyrica. Never got rid of pain, but lessened it. Then the sideefects hit me. Today I had a telecall with my DR, she said to cut in half the lyrica. As my side effects are so bad. blurred vision, retaining fluid, hurt everywhere, constipated, etc. She said she was sorry there was nothing else she could do for me. In June, a Neurologist is coming to our hospital. hopefully I will be able to get in sometime this summer. I dont know how I will stand the pain til then!! The pain is also on the right side of my face, and in the sinus too.
Iam so discouraged. No one has been able to help. Something is wrong!!! Each Dr. Ive seen ends up trying to send me to a counselor. I cant talk this pain away!!! I have fallen into bad depression, anxiety and panic., my life is a living hell... I hope this has helped you. Best Wishes, Janice.
r._f._09034 kay19801
Posted
Hi Kay. If you are not having a rash with this pain, then it sounds like Trigeminal Neuralgia, which will be the worst news you get this week but it's not fatal. It is life-changing though. First thing you need to remember is, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are many wonderful people here on this site. They know your pain and they know your fear. Next, you're going to have to really take care of yourself from here on. Healthier the better because your immune system plays a huge part. Eating healthy, sleeping healthy are crucial and steer away from all stressful situations when possible. Find a doctor that knows YOU. These specialists have a job to do but you need a close relationship with a doctor that cares enough to get to know your illness, listens when you speak and responds promptly when you call. A hospital ER visit during a TN attack is not where you want to be. A good doctor will know that your pain is unpredictable and will have you prepped with meds at home for ANY time your pain comes on. You will find that many doctors know very little about TN, so don't be bashful about educating them. If you hurt, tell your doctor. If you still hurt, tell your doctor again. If your doctor doesn't seem to be too concerned, find another doctor.
To treat your pain, pain meds WILL be a must. This is not something that you can just power through. In addition to meds, try heat for your pain. Don't burn your skin but try HOT compresses directly on the pain. Moist and hot is best, so a wash cloth works great. If the heat almost immediately gives you temporary relief, then it probably is TN or some kind of neuralgia. There are meds out there to treat your pain but alot of side effects come with them. Unfortunately, they will be necessary but most of us have already been on the same meds your doctor will prescribe, so feel free to ask someone here on the site about any new prescriptions that make you nervous. You are among friends here. It sounds like you don't feel comfortable with taking pain meds and that's understandable but use extreme caution NOT to take excess Tylenol, Ibuprofen or any "over the counter" medications in excess. If the doctor puts you on a narcotic, which is likely for TN, it's best NOT to self-medicate. Let someone you trust help you track your med doses and times you take it. I saw your post about the doctor giving you Amitriptyline. No worries friend. It's NOT a narcotic and it's NOT addictive. It is commonly prescribed for TN and one of the best to treat nerve pain at night, without too much sluggish feeling next day. If you do have TN, you will need the sleep on a regular basis or your condition will worsen. It's all about trying to stay calm from here on because stress will aggravate your illness.
This truly is a great site with many wonderful people who are going through the same pain you are and they do care when you are hurting, so keep us posted. Hopefully, it won't be TN. You are in my prayers. Take care, friend.
~Rhonda
susan33651 kay19801
Posted
Hi,
I have bilateral TN in all three branches of the nerve on both sides, I have pain most days. Some days are worse than others. I also get migraines a couple of hours after an epic attack (Tic Migraine Syndrome).
I would not be able to function without the medication. I take Amitriptyline (50mg at night and 20mg in the morning), Carbamazepine 1400mg in three doses, Gabapentin 900mg in three doses and a whole host of pain control when I can't cope with the pain, including : Oramorph, Co-codamol 30/500mg, Tramadol and occasionally Ibuprofen. I can tell you now that you will get some relief from your medication but it won't stop all of it.
The anticonvulsants block nerve signals, but some get through.
Low dose antidepressants affect the levels of endorphins and other chemicals in the brain and this will change how you perceive pain.
Neuropathic drugs (Gabapentin etc) block nerve signals too but not all, in doing so they relieve pain, especially migraine pain.
The most important thing to do is is set your alarm on your mobile phone so that you never forget to take your drugs!
Heat definitely helps!
A good doctor can definitely make a big difference in how your TN is managed.
Finally, do some research! If you are armed with knowledge your doctor will listen!
All the best 😊
kay19801 susan33651
Posted
thanks so much. im petrified I have a brain tumour now
Jerjan kay19801
Posted
Hi Kay, seems like what I had in 2014, when I had Trigeminal surgery.