[tyrt11]

Hello,

I posted in the trigeminal neuralgia board and was advised to also post the same thing here. I hope that's ok.

I really hope I can get some support and advice.

I am a 38 year old male and I’m very worried.

In September 2010 I was diagnosed with a 3cm non-functioning pituitary tumor after having an MRI due to mild constant headaches.

Two weeks later I started having a “heavy/swollen” type feeling in my left face and jaw. This lasts a few weeks, goes away for a few weeks and then comes back. I had no pain though.

I had surgery in October 2010 to remove 60 per cent of the tumor and will probably need another operation to get more in the coming months.

In December I chipped a pre-molar bottom tooth on left side. The tooth wasn't giving me any pain but I thought I'd do the right thing and have it filled. I went to the dentist on 22 December for a filling and he said it may be sensitive for a while as the filling was close to the nerve.

A week after the filling I started getting a dull ache at the back of my teeth on the left hand side. This lasted about a week before subsiding. Then two weeks later the ache came back and I have had it ever since although it hasn't been as strong this last week.

I haven't had any electrical shocks type pains and my face doesn't hurt to touch, shave etc. although I do get occasional mild aches, pains, twinges in the tooth, jaw and cheek area and my back left teeth are sensitive when I bite down softly. Also, my front two top teeth feel weird and ache sometimes throughout the day.

It's been five months since the “heavy/swollen” feeling started and now seven weeks since the tooth filling. As I said I haven't had the “shock” type pain.

I'm scared to go back to the dentist as I'm afraid it may make things worse.

I'm hoping that I just have nerve damage from the filling that will eventually heal in time.

Thanks so much for reading and I'd really like to know what you think.

I suffer from anxiety and am now getting quite depressed about this...

[jenni duncan]

Hi there, so sorry to hear you are going through so much right now and i can fully understand your fears. I have trigeminol nueralgia, and have suffered with this for over a year now. At the end of this month i am going for brain surgery, known as MVD. Before this, it all started at the dentist!! I was at a friends house and a part of my back tooth came off.It did not cause me any pain at all but i thought i had better get it fixed before i lose the whole thing.
The dentist performed route canal and for days after i was in agony. I went back many times and she insisted that everything was ok, and she would perform more route canal treatment and it would ease off for a few days then return with a constant dull ache, Thankfully a friend senr me to the teaching hospital where i lost a few more teeth as they were taking dead bone off my jaw The results were osteomyelitis. I had to go into hospital where they continued to clean the wounds etc........................ha, after about a year i thought it was all over, but i started getting these really intense pains down my left side of my face and my mouth hurt everywhere. I thought i had got over the worst but no way man, this is one of the hardest things i have ever had to deal with. I am nervous about the op, but also very positive that it will work for me and i can get my life back. I am a PE and swimming specialist here in Bangkok, but due to this illness i have not been working much lately.
Maybe you should check out this procedure, and consult with your nuerosurgeon. I really hope this helps you and keep the faith, you never know what's around the corner.

[tyrt11]

Hi Jenny,
Thanks for your reply!

I'm not sure if I may be developing trigeminal neuralgia, but the thought of it terrifies me.

My back tooth pain is quite mild most of the time. More annoying than anything. And when my top and bottom back teeth touch on the left hand side it is quite sensitive. So I'm hoping I might have some temporary nerve damage that will heal in time. I really hope that's the case.

Best of luck with your upcoming surgery!

[Bryanna]

Hi tyrt11,

It sounds like your new filling may be a bit too high which would require a simple bite adjustment by your dentist. If that is what it is, then do not wait to have it done because the "high" bite could cause the nerve in the tooth to die because of the constant irritation when hitting against it with your other teeth.

How does that sound to you??

Bryanna

Originally Posted by tyrt11

Hi Jenny,
Thanks for your reply!

I'm not sure if I may be developing trigeminal neuralgia, but the thought of it terrifies me.

My back tooth pain is quite mild most of the time. More annoying than anything. And when my top and bottom back teeth touch on the left hand side it is quite sensitive. So I'm hoping I might have some temporary nerve damage that will heal in time. I really hope that's the case.

Best of luck with your upcoming surgery!