Not sure exactly what started this whole thing off, but last July (2012) I had an intense sore throat left side only with a minor ear ache. Enough that it had me worried about the "C". Went to prompt care a few days later to be told I probably had a virus and they could see nothing in my ear or throat. They did a strep test - negative. Suggested I might try OTC allergy or even acid reflux meds. Imagine my relief. Well, I got no relief. I scheduled an appt for a physical. Three weeks later still having problems...GP says he sees nothing. I note that I do have a slightly enlarged but non-tender lymph node. Still biggest complaint (besides fear) is throat and minor ear pain...all left sided. He suggests more acid reducers. I do that, have a deep filling done and suddenly the pain is constant and terrible and now includes my tongue...which is by far the worst and scariest. So far, this is still going on. I have seen three dentists, an oral surgeon, two ent's and a neurologist besides my gp and the prompt care doctor I started with. I have had a brain mri, a neck ultrasound, and a neck CT scan. All unremarkable other than noting several "benign appearing" scattered lymph nodes on the ultrasound and something to the same extent noted on the CT..."no frank adenopathy." I am at my wits end. the ear pain and the tongue pain are treacherous...the throat rarely bothers me. The neuro diagnosed me with trigeminal neuralgia and put me on neurontin...which barely helps (if at all). And of course, the fear remains even though one would think all the doctors and scans should make me less scared - the fact that the pain persists keeps my fear going. Not to mention the terrible things I can find on the Internet. Anyone have anything similar? I find the trigeminal neuralgia hard to swallow because the tongue and ear are my biggest complaints and that doesn't seem to fit? Thanks for any help/advice you can offer.

Maybe should add I am 39 yrs old 5'4" 115 lbs and otherwise very healthy...blood work came back normal after physical and blood pressure always within normal range. I had a deep filling done on my right side about a month prior to all this starting...deep filling done on left side (affected side) but a couple months after all this started. dental xrays are fine. My active imagination makes me think every little spot/bump is a problem...and I'm a little fearful to call a doctor because I think they all think I'm nuts.

Thanks again for any insight/personal experience you can offer