Numb Chin Syndrome
Posted , 56 users are following.
So I have a small spot on the tip of my chin that is numb, like feeling like how it would feel if a dentist gave you anesthesia. Just numb. I thought maybe a shaved to close and cut it making it numb. Then after taking it for maybe a month or so, I decided to see what could be done about it. I instead found out about Numb Chin Syndrome. Everything I read is this is fatal within months due to cancer. Although I have read it can also be cause by diabetes neuropathy (I'm a type 1 diabetic for about 35 years now, so I'm praying to god that's what causing it, although I don't really have much other neuropathy in my body, so that kinda seems like a stretch), and I've also read anxiety can cause it (And of course I've had anxiety most of my life). Anyways, to the point, suddenly I'm starting to get TMJ symptoms, earaches when sleeping, dull headaches that last a few seconds and then go away... Should I go to the doctor and see about getting an MRI scan, knowing if it comes back positive for cancer of any kind, I'm probably going to die soon and have most of my remaining time spent in a hospital instead of out in the world living, as well as leaving behind my wife (who does think this all in my head) and 10 & 8 year old kids, which the thought of is pushing me towards depression. I'm at a complete loss for what to do here and scared and feel so lonely. Thank you in advance for anyone who has any advice...
2 likes, 260 replies
Lovemy2bbs nate73255
Posted
Hi everyone- My update is that the numb area in my chin that send me into a total spiral of fearing I was dying, resolved after 2 weeks of h#ll.
HOWEVER, a few weeks later it popped up in another area on the opposite side of my chin! A small dime size buzz feeling. It was "unnerving" (pun intended) but I know thats not how NCS presents. In fact, none of these times has it actually been numb, just odd sensations. So that sensation stayed for a bit (3 -4 days) and now I just get odd facial sensations typically around my chin. It will feel like a hair or cobbwebb and yet, nothing is there. I have bad health anxiety and the more I pay attention the worse it is. I do clench my teeth at night but unsure about grinding. My doctor is not overly concerned. And as part of my health anxiety therapy I am not supposed to be posting online! Opps!. Couldn't help but help people and try to relate!
kristen69526 Lovemy2bbs
Posted
mandy - saying prayers for good results from your MRI!
Lovemy2 - I love that your making punny puns! it's so good to stay light hearted. 😃
I'm at the 1 year mark since I noticed my weird chin feelings. And it disappeared for about a week, and I was ecstatic. Then it came back and I was p****d. But it was accompanied by a tension headache and major tenderness in the tiny muscles around my ear and jaw. which further solidifies my belief that it's tmj / tight muscle related. that doesn't stop me from spiraling at times, but I snap out of it easier now!
I hope every day that we all get relief from this and live long, healthy, happy lives with this as just a memory that reminds us to appreciate each day.
mandy1983 kristen69526
Posted
Thank you, Kristen. I too, still have my moments of freaking out, even today after the negative MRI. I keep getting these little tingly feelings under the right side of my bottom lip about 10 times a day and it scares the crap out of me. I don't know when I'll forget about all of this but I hope its soon. My doctor started me on wellbutrin for my anxiety and I started taking it on friday. I'm praying it starts helping me. Prayers for every one of us going through this thing, that it goes away and stays away.
nate73255
Posted
So... I'm stressing out a bit. All the drugs, cortisone shots and physical therapy have had very minimal results on my shoulder... Its time for an MRI on Wednesday. And while I know shoulder problems for people my age are common, you never know what you might find with an MRI. I'm praying its just the common ordinary stuff that happen to middle aged men. If you're the praying type, I could use some prayers. Thanks!!! 😃
mandy1983 nate73255
Posted
I'll be praying for you, Nate! Hoping everything turns out good. Let us know how it goes.
I'm still freaked out over this chin thing although it's happening more with my lip now than my chin. I keep getting a zapping feeling in my right lower lip when I smile and sometimes when I talk. It doesn't hurt, just kind of weird. It's not there all the time either. I almost lose it every time because of the whole cancer thing. I've researched a lot on TMJ and a lot of people say they have numbness and tingling with it, and I do think I have TMJ but I'm still not convinced that's what is causing it. I'm scared that it's some undiscovered cancer. That the whole lip thing has started because there's a tumor pressing on my nerve . I spend my day hoping that it starts happening in some other part of my face so that I won't be so worried. Today I thought I felt it in the other side of my lip and as silly as it sounds, I was excited for a minute. The one time is all it happened so no such luck. You would think after a clear MRI that I would feel better but that was short lived because they did a soft tissue face and neck and I'm afraid it didn't show everything they needed to see. It does say the mandible is unremarkable but would that have shown cancer? I don't know. I just keep
second guessing everything. Just needed to vent. I do hope everyone else is doing well. Keep us posted Nate!
-Mandy
kristen69526 nate73255
Posted
I feel for you Nate, and will keep you in my prayers. Every test makes me nervous now, but on the flip side, normal results make me that much more confident that I'm ok, and just part of a tiny group of people with facial nerve issues that are benign.
I feel like we must be nearing the age when our bodies start to become less reliable and scarier. Us with our chins, my best friend recently had a cancer scare with a fast growing growth in her neck, my brother in law had a cancer scare in his lungs that turned out to be scar tissue, and my sister just this week had a suspicious mammogram result that turned out to be a cyst on further testing. Is this our new middle age normal? I sure hope not. The stress is not healthy!
I'm about to move from Hawaii to Virginia with some travels in between, and I'm nervous about starting with a new doctor. I hope I find someone patient and kind.
Keep us posted Nate, and we'll keep you in our prayers!
nate73255
Posted
Thank you Kristen and Mandy. Today is the day... I probably won't hear back on any results until Thursday or Friday though, as that was the case the last time I had an MRI. Feel like I'm becoming a MRI veteran at this point. lol Anyways, I'll let you all know when I find out. I'm prepared for whatever they throw at me. Weird how a cancer scare can make a potentially torn rotator cuff seem minor. Hopefully by the weekend I'll be a bit more confident that I'm ok like you said Kristen! 😃 Interesting you asked if this is the new middle age... Seems like it may be. But on the plus side, with the web, nobody has to go through their problems alone anymore either! 😃
Anyways, hang in there Mandy... I still believe the TMJ is the cause of your problem. I know that doesn't really help the nervousness of a tingling lip, but I just have a feeling. Have you looked into getting a mouth guard for sleeping? There are a few dentists out there who are specialist in TMJ. If you haven't already, you may want to look into that.
Welp, I suppose I'll let you know what happens so, thanks for the support! I really appreciate it!
nate73255
Posted
And the MRI results are back in... And the officially word is I'm just a middle aged guy with an shoulder that is really inflammed in various spots, but nothing more thankfully!!! They are going to refer me on to an orthopedic doctor to get a plan set up to get back to normal.
Thank you again for the prayers! Things are looking on the up for me again! 😃
kristen69526 nate73255
Posted
Nate! Excellent news old man!!! 😉
I'm so happy for you and I hope this good news brings you a renewed sense of peace!
I'm doing a happy dance for you!
mandy1983 nate73255
Posted
That's great news, Nate! Looks like maybe an anti-inflammatory, physical therapy, or a steroid injection may be in your near future! I'll take that any day over surgery! I worked as a medical assistant at an orthopedic surgeon's office for years and we dealt with shoulder issues all the time. Praying for a quick fix for you! 😃
nate73255 kristen69526
Posted
Thanks Kristen! It does help bring the anxiety down! I hope the dance was awesome!!! 😃
nate73255 mandy1983
Posted
Thanks Mandy, Guess we'll see what the orthopedic doc says. I hope they get in touch with me today for an appointment. Time to get this thing fixed! I've been dealing with it since last fall and its just slowly gotten worse and worse.
You gals are the greatest! Just wanted you and Kristen to know that. 😃
mandy1983 nate73255
Posted
Aww! Thanks, Nate! You guys are pretty great too! I feel like we have a little numb chin club. lol! Keep us posted on how the ortho visit goes.
nate73255 mandy1983
Posted
Yep I definitely will. Next Wednesday is my appointment.
nate73255 mandy1983
Posted
Ok, so the Ortho doctors result are in, and I am officially diagnosed as having frozen shoulder. I got the cortisone shot and some stretching exercises to do twice a day. Apparently what I have is pretty common in diabetics, which is just great (big time sarcasm there). So he pretty much told me that this kind of thing can last weeks or months or even possibly a year or two in extreme cases, but they do get better. So... time to do the stretches and pray mine is only in the weeks! Anyways, that is one less thing to panic about, and that is a huge plus in itself. Just gotta tough it out until my shoulder gets it act together. lol Thanks for all the good thoughts. 😃
kristen69526 nate73255
Posted
I've heard that about frozen shoulder and T1D Nate! bummer, but also glad that you got an easy answer!
I'm still working on my left shoulder, but with PT, it has improved a lot since I first mentioned it. I really hope yours does too!
I got a good mammogram report, an "everything looks good" from my well woman visit, and a good A1C/liver/kidney/chilesterol lab report, so I'm enjoying all that peace of mind for a while. 😃
nate73255 kristen69526
Posted
I'm so glad everything came back OK for you! It's always good to hear great news like that.
Anyways, I think the cortisone shot is already helping a bit. I still don't have great function in my shoulder, but it feels a bit looser than the other day when I went in. So that's good.
Anyways, happy Friday, hope you have a great weekend! 😃