Head discomfort with burning , tingling sensations and various other symptoms. Need help :(

Apologies about the length of this, however this includes all the detail

History

Condition first appeared at the end of August 2012 which was in an around a stressful period, relationship breakup and some recreational drug use. All drug taking ceased around this date.

 To describe the condition in one line it is like having a mild cold accompanied by a unilateral (left side) head discomfort with unilateral facial burning/prickling (neuralgia) varying in severity day to day (sometimes shifting more centrally)

General - (An episode)

Can happen any time of year and usually lasts from 10-20days on average.

Usually 15-20 episodes per year

Some episodes can be much more severe and longer lasting than others

Some years can be worse than others however its seems to be getting progressively worse

Symptoms usually worse mid-morning to afternoon and usually improves by night

Within an episode, onset each day is usually once I've woken up and moved around before the discomfort appears and progressively gets worse and then gets better towards the end of the day

Episode usually starts with eyebrow tingling/burning/prickling sensation on left hand side then further symptoms develop

Symptoms of An episode (Red signifies the most prevalent and consistent symptoms)

Head discomfort

With the following (not always all):

Pins and needles and discomfort on left had side of head from front to back sometimes prickling sensation

Pressure, dull ache  on top of the head (left hand side same place inline with temple)

Pressure/tingling/Crawling , dull ache on crown

Tingling/Burning/Crawling above left eye along and above the browline, sometimes stretching more central (ALWAYS)

Tingling/burning on left side below eye (upper cheek)

Tingling/burning on left side forehead

Other Symptoms (not always all):

Neck pain at back both sides

Some lower back and shoulder pain

Tinnitus - Short Bursts

Tingling feet

Muscle ache and lethargic

Feeling of spaced out and cognitive sluggishness, brain fog

Fatigued , extreme sometimes, with Yawning and tiredness

Cold like symptoms - post nasal drip (Runny/Blocked nose/Headache/Headpressure) - However I do seem to have this all year round

Coughing/Sneezing

Watery eyes

Feeling of ears being blocked 

Irritability

Groggy feeling like having a cold/hangover

Feeling of derealisation

Jaw tightness and aching in front of ear - usually left side

Inability to concentrate and focus

Problems articulating things and finding right words

Trouble reading and writing with dyslexic style symptoms. Words wrong way round

Feeling Nausea

Excessive sweating

 ALL SYMPTOMS HAVE VARYING SEVERITY WHEN PRESENT

2017 Diary of episodes

Jan 9th - 21st Jan (13days)

1st Feb - 9th Feb (10days)

21st Feb - 16th April (54days)

25th April - 28th May (31days)

6th June - 19th June (13days)

1st July - 15th July (15days) - milder than normal

26th - 1st Aug (5days) - milder than normal

2nd Aug (1day) - Severe

16th Aug (1day) - Severe

23rd Aug - 25thAug (3days) - mild

30th Aug -31st Aug (2days)

5th Sept - 21st Sept (16days)

2nd Oct - 18 Oct (16days) -mild

25th Oct -

 *** Although an episode covers a period of time. Some days within a "period" are better than others and some days have no symptoms at all. I've also not included individual or short periods less than 3days unless severe which is quite common. I don’t end a period unless ive had 3 days clear of all symptoms ***

Possible diagnosis based on symptoms and various other consultants (suspected as more than one)

Tension Headache / Migraine

Allergic/Perennial/Non Allergic Rhinitis - Nasal Sprays no effect

TMJ / TMD / Bite Problem / Clenching - Mouth Splint not helped

Trigeminal Neurophatic Pain

General undiagnosed allergy - Nasal Sprays no effect

Diabetes  - Blood Tests are normal

Thyroid Problem - Blood Tests are normal

Sinusitis - Seems to be too regular with no signs of infections or pussy discharge ever

Nasal Sprays don’t help and ENT felt it wasn’t Nasal

Stress / Anxiety

Atypical facial pain

Occipital Neuralgia

Atypical trigeminal neuralgia

CHRONIC PAROXYSMAL Hemicrania

Trigeminal neuritis

Cervicogenic Headache

B12 deficiency (Blood tests and vitamin B supplements didn’t help)

 Historical Treatment

Painkillers including many strong ones (No effect) - (NSAID / Paracetamol / Codeine)

Annual eye examinations annually (All OK, slight discrepancy with one eye which has been there for years)

Steroid Nasal Spray (No effect)

Anti-Histamine Nasal Spray (No effect)

Anti-Histamine Tablets (No effect)

Decongestant Nasal Spray (No effect)

Oral Steroid Tablets (No effect)

Steroid drops (No Effect)

ENT examination with CT which said sinuses were clear

Extensive blood tests which are all normal over past 5 years (Including Diabetes / Thyroid) - Nothing found

Bowen Technique

MRI Scan of head only (All clear)

Neurology Appointment and prescribed Amitriptyline

Treatment (June 2017 - End of Aug 2017) - 3months

Bowen Technique for TMJD  (Jun - Jul) - No noticeable help (Stopped)

Mouth guard by dentist for Clenching

Stopped all vitamins (Stopped)

Use neck supporting pillow at night

Look at posture (especially whilst working) and avoid opening mouth wide

Stop craning neck to look at phone or cradling phone between chin and neck

Reduction in clenching teeth when noticed and stopping resting head on hand

Reduction in alcohol

Look at stress reducing techniques

Reduction in sugar (July onwards)

Acupuncture for TMJD and Trigeminal Neuralgia 7 Sessions  (Stopped)

Physiotherapy 5 sessions (Mid July -  End Sept)  - No noticeable help (Stopped)

Effect:

Collectively with all the above treatments I  found some relief, however things returned to normal even with continuing all the above

Treatment (September 2017 - End of Nov 2017) 3months

All Previous Treatments unless specifically stated as stopped

Wear glasses where possible

Sinus cleansing (NetiPot) - Whilst going through episode

Bromelain 3 times a day (Nov-Dec)

VitaminB 1st Nov onwards

Allergy test (nothing conclusive)

Amitriptyline - 11th Nov onwards

Effect:

No relief as of yet

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