Numb/pressure sensations in face, disappear with sleep and come on thoughout the day. 29/f. Ideas?

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I thought I'd give this a shot since I am unable to find/come up with any ideas on my own. In early spring of this year (it is now late July), I developed throat burning/pain and hypersalivation. 

About a week later, I started to feel a strange, intermittent sensation in my left cheek and below my eye. Now, about three months later, it has since spread through both sides of my face, between my eyes and bridge of my nose. The good news: Every day, the feeling subsides overnight and I awake with it entirely gone. It comes on when I awake and increases in severity throughout the day. However, it is incredibly distracting and interfering with my otherwise happy life. 

The way I am initially inclined to describe the feeling is "numbness," although it is not truly numb. No movement in my face is compromised at all. I can feel all temperatures and sensations. Perhaps “pressure” or the sensation of “swelling” is more accurate – though no swelling has occurred. Sometimes if I feel my cheek or bridge of my nose with my fingers, when the feeling has come on, I can feel a strong pulsing.

Allegra seems to help somewhat, so I take that daily. Movement, walking etc, seems to help in the moment as well. It does not subside when I lay down, only after I sleep.

I of course saw my PCP who explained the throat and face symptoms are unrelated to each other. She sent me to an ENT who did a scope and diagnosed me with silent reflux, for which I now take prevacid with significant reduction in throat pain.

As for the sensations in my face, we don’t have answers. I am on B12 and have a lot more energy, but the sensations remain. Although she initially seemed against it, my PCP referred me to a neurologist, who said I don’t need imaging based on my exam and I can safely rule out a neurological problem. 

My PCP suspects anxiety as the root cause. I have now (and have seemingly always had) very severe anxiety, so out of desperation I have started a low dose of SSRI (Prozac) in the hopes it will help me. It’s been about 2 weeks.

So in summary:

Current medical issues: Anxiety, silent reflux (throat pain, hypersalivation), intermittent face sensations as described 

Previous medical issues: I contracted HSV-2 in December, but am told this is unrelated. I even went off suppression to see if I was having a reaction to Valtrex but the symptoms all remained so I went back on. I had something called SIBO years ago and was treated successfully with antibiotics then probiotics to restore the balance of bacteria in my intestines.

I am a 29 year old female, weight approx 135, height 5’5”, non-smoker, no known food allergies 

Medications: Sprintec (Oral BC), prevacid (1X Day), Valtrex (G HSV2 suppression), Prozac 10 mg (about 2 weeks), Allegra daily, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Multivitamin

Thanks for anyone’s attention, help, ideas. So appreciated.

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2 Replies

  • Posted

    Hey there 

    Have you seen a psychaitrist? I can relate your problem as it is anxiety and panic attacks . You need to find out the trigger of your anxiety . Try cognitive behavior therapist. They can help you.i am a sufferer from depression and panic disorder too . 

    • Posted

      Thank you for responding smile Kaiser mental health is a nightmare. I have an appointment in two weeks with an MFT and I can request to see a psychiatrist from there. I will ask about CBT. Thank you 🙏

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