Yesterday I was sitting at my desk when I felt a lightning rod pain by my left ear. I was certain that something is very wrong. I have PN,but I have never had such a high frequency pain. I was sore for a half an hour afterwards.

Then this morning on my way to work I felt it again. I was afraid to switch lanes as I was fearful of moving my neck. I can feel it much more on the left,though there is also tingling on the right. I can feel it very agrivated and ready to burst into a lightning rod again.

I have PN, and it has been in my face and head, but never like this before. I can only assume this is TN?

Is this common with PN, why did it just come on now? Anyone else with this level 10 shooting face pain?

I have never had anything like this, but I have had other wierd things. I am sorry. It is very frustrating to have things like this happen that we cannot readily explain. It is hard to talk to doctors about them also. I hope this just goes away and never bothers you aggain.

I am hoping that it will go away too. If this continues this will probably be the straw that broke the camels back, and gets me put on pain meds. I cannot even imagine this happening all the time. I can feel that it is very irritated for some reason.

I am so sorry to hear this Aussie99! This PN thing sounds like it is constantly advancing and changing - not a nice prospect.

Dear Aussie:

Lightning like pains could be trigeminal neuralgia. See neurologist. If Tegretol stops such pains, this is TN but I don't know if this will be tried with you at this time. I have TN but had a Balloon Compression surgery for it. Took away the terrible pains but left me with "dysesthesia" which is 24 hour a day burning, itching, tickling, etc. Had this for 6 years now. Very distracting to say the least. All day, all night on right side of face and scalp.

I read the PN forum because have been wondering if I have that, but don't think so now after reading for a long time. No burning in feet, legs, etc. Doesn't sound like the PN you all describe.

I hope you don't have TN. It is probably worse than PN. Keep us posted.

Shirley H.

Apparently through a series of questions and ofcourse feeling around my face, the GP beleives I have TMJ,and not TN.

I don't know alot about TMJ still researching now, but it's a problem that seems to be associated with the myriad of other problems I seem to present with MCS,Fibro, etc..

This is yet another painful condition,and worst of all it's in my Face! Does anyone else have TMJ that I can communicate with?

Thank you