Hi there!

My name is annie, and I am 39 years old. I am not really sure what to say because my brain does not always like to work with me I guess I will start with what I sort of know. 12 years ago experienced what was then deemed Bells Palsy affecting the left side of face. Initial happening was a 6 month duration. There is some noticeable 7th cranial nerve damage such as droopy eyelid, lips which is very pronounced when tired. I then had multiple attacks affecting both sides of face, never at same time but alternating side to side. Never the same duration as the first longest lasting 2 weeks. I was sent to neurologist and had MRI and other testing which i cannot think of names for now but essentially a full work up. Essentially I was told that the episodes were not really bells palsy due to 5th cranial and other nerve involvement, but there was no real explanation...the human brain was something that doctors such as himself were just scratching the surface of understanding. Things have been good for the past decade, aside from some twitching and occasional 7th nerve pain which is completely tolerable.
June of this year I started experiencing increased dysfunction of the 7th on the left side. Instead of drooping it felt like my face was being pulled up. Then I started getting stabbing pain on left side of head, always in patterns of 2 very quick precise and OMG PAINFUL but as quickly as they came, they were gone. My GP sent request to Urgent Neuro for examination, and in the week it took to be seen the pain had gone from a random once every 3-4 days to daily multiple times. Neuro upon exam found no other evidence of issue meaning I passed all the testing as far as gait, relfex, etc, so determined probably cluster headaches. I must add that due to my weight I am unable to have a traditional MRI and there are currently no open concept MRIs in my area. Was prescribed 300mg Gabapentin daily to be doubled to 600 if problem not resolved.
Problem was not resolved and continued to get worse and more intense. Was then put on an increasing script working to 1200mg 3x daily so 3600mg total. Once max dosage was reached the pain was well maintained for a couple of weeks but then started again. Oh I should mention as well as stabbing pain I also get tingling teeth and numb tongue its a pattern, teeth, tongue, head. I have now been given Nortriptyline 25mg working to 50 mg in 2 weeks added to my 3600mg Gaba.
I now feel that my brain is just one big scene from a cheech and chong movie. I am experiencing moments of manic like behaviour and sometimes I am just chill. I am not a stupid person by any means, but I feel like a blithering idiot at times. The Nortriptyline was/is supposed to help me sleep and hopefully manage some of the manic, however since starting it I am waking up almost hourly through the night and just laying there staring at ceiling. I am grateful in the sence that at least i dont feel like a dagger is being shoved into my head but is it worth it at the cost of my sanity?
I am a very happy and lil bit insane person at the best of times and I am not wallowing in pity or anything like that, I am just looking to find commonality and to feel just a little less like a total freak lol I live in a small town and not many people here understand neurological meds or side effects they think wrapping a sock around your throat at night will cure everything
I appreciate you allowing me to babble as long as I have, and I really wish everyone the best of the day and look forward to making some new friends.

ttfn

annie,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Click on to the following forum, there are a great number of caring members to assist you:

Peripheral Neuropathy:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum20.html

Please keep us up to date on your mother's condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thank you for the welcome and for the link to the forum thread. I really appreciate it. My mom is fine btw

WELCOME to NT!

Just wanted to send out a welcome hug
You've found such a wonderful place of support and understanding.
Make yourself right at home. This is a very down-to-earth, easy-going atmosphere, so feel free to post anywhere you may feel inclined.
You'll find a caring soul around every corner!

Just holler if you have any questions or need help in finding your way around.

It's great to have you!

Caring,
Rae

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I sure read your posting very carefully. The only thing I can think of, that maybe you have not done, is to have an upper GI done. This will examine the throat, esophagus, toncils, vocal cords. My dad had 7th nerve damage, and this was due to a condition is his throat. I know it is a long shot, but there has to be a reason why these nerves are acting up. Have you tried a teaching hospital, or Mayo clinic? We will be here for you. ginnie