I am starting to think I am losing it. I am a 27/f, with a history if anxiety/panic attacks. Well for several years, very sporadically, i would get this feeling on my face, (either side) that feels like someone is tightening a muscle in my cheek and won't let it go. Well this time I have had it for a month now (left side) and I am totally flipping out. It's not numb, I have no drooping, no slurred speech or blurry vision. It just feels like I am waiting for it to loosen and it doesn't. Every now and then I will feel very small spasms in it but nothing that noticable. I still have full function of my entire face, it's just this darn cheek that feels like it's tightened. I know it could very well be from stress/anxiety. Especially since I am a bit of a hypochondriac, I think I am going to die from it, and I also think I have had a stroke, (my husband thinks I am nuts) but it is very distressing to have something that you have no idea what it is. Has anyone EVER had anything like this? I also thought maybe it could be TMJ (I am able to repeatedly crack my jaw). Or maybe just a pulled muscle...but in my CHEEK?? Anyways, if anyone has some comforting words for this worrywart, please let me know!!

I didnt want you to think that you are alone. Although I have not had this paticular symptom.....I also get weird feelings. Is your cheek swollen at all? Could it be a tooth? Do you have sinus problems? It could be TMJ. Can you massage the area inside the mouth and out? Have you tried heat/ice?
Have you changed anything in your life?

Take a deep breath. It could just be one of those strange things that happens. Keep an eye on it, when its happening etc. But dont let it consume your life.

Good luck!!!!

Hello there Complikati, and welcome to NeuroTalk.

I'm sure that no-one thinks you're being neurotic, in fact your symptoms sound a little like Trigeminal Neuralgia to me. TMJ is also an option, but I know little about that one.

Your best option for TMJ related problems is to ask Bryanna in the Dentistry Forum, and here's the link to that: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum89.html

I am not a doctor Complikati but I have had TN, and something sounds familiar from what you've said. Of course I may be wrong, but why don't you post your question in that forum as well as the Dentistry one, and see what others with similar symptoms to your own think.

Here's the direct link: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum26.html

Thanks...no, no swelling, I have tried heat, but probably haven't left it on long enough at one time for it to work. Some days it's more noticable that others, or like when I bend over or to the left I can feel even more pressure on it, kinda like when you're on a roller coaster and the wind is blowing your face back?? IDK if that makes any sense...but you are probably right, I shouldn't let it consume my life. I do that way too much with everything. But thanks for your comment, it made me feel better! Take care!!

Thanks so much, everyone here seems really nice and helpful, and doesn't make me feel like a weirdo...lol
I will definately check out those forums. Thanks so much!!

I looked up TN and it mostly talks about pain in the face, whereas I don't have any pain in my face whatsoever. I can see how you would think that's what it is because of the location of the nerve, but after reading about it, I don't really have any of those symptoms, but then again, I am not a doctor..LOL....but still, thanks for your help and response...take care!!

I have T.N. like Koala ...T.N dose not always start as a pain and many times even after one is rx with T.N. one of the things they feel is a tugging feeling which is diffrent then the firey or zapping pain.T.N has many symptoms as I talk with many many people like myself who have diffrent types of t.n. Some have a feeling of crawling or throbing . Some its a pinching feeling .or a heavyness like presure.
I am hoping it is just a muscle and nothing seriuos. You should keep note of when it happens ,what your doing at the time ..bending over changes the blood flow in the head and that may be why you notice it then. make note of it and any other time when you get the feeling. then tell your doc.they will know better then anyone what it may be. and I pray it is noting at all.
PEACE
BMW

When I was dx'd with TN, I also didn't feel any pain; it was persistent numbness affecting the tip of my nose and the left side of my face following a protracted dental procedure (the dentist blew through a nerve with a needle).

There was/never has been any pain associated with my TN of which I'm aware.

My neurosurgeon and, then, my neurologist dx'd the TN.