I need to pick your brains
 

Please share any ideas you may have on this:

I've been having pain in my right jaw, running up just in front of my right ear, then making a sharp turn to the top of my head above my right temple. It's like in the shape of a V with the point directly in front of my ear. It feels like my sinuses are stuffy on that side, but they're not, and my cheekbone kind of aches.

It's actually quite painful to the touch within a small area in front of my ear and down to the point of my jawbone. It bothers me when I brush my teeth or chew.

Is this trigeminal neuralgia? Migraine-related? Something else entirely? I don't even know what dr to see, or if I should bother. So I'm going to let you be the dr and give me your opinion - I think you guys have a better track record anyway!

Go to the dentist and make sure it's not an abscess in a tooth first.

I tend to think it's not a tooth because I was just at the dentist a few weeks ago and everything was OK. I'm debating whether to call the neuro's office or go see my PCP or ENT.

That is exactly where some of the branches of the trigeminal nerve are. Google for images of the trigeminal nerve. Also TN is often aggravated by touch. You could hedge your bets and call both a dentist and your neuro.

Sounds like a TMJ problem:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporo...joint_disorder

... but it could be TN too.

My GP sent me to my dentist, who said it was TMJ. For me it was caused by the use of Celexa, and stopped when I cut that drug.

I also get TN, but it has been more of a nerve-type pain and numbness.

Cherie

I would still go to the dentist and have them check. I went to the dentist earlier this year and had some work done. Couple of weeks later, I was in pain. Went back, and another one of my teeth ended up needing a root canal. It didnt have anything to do with the previous work, just coincidence that it picked that time to "go bad".

I was worried that I was getting TN and delayed going in a few days, but was happy that it was something the dentist could fix when I went back in.

All of the above and it could also be a sinus infection. Your nose doesn't necessarily have to be clogged, but all your other symptoms sound familiar.

(((((((((((MSArkie)))))))))))

hyper-sensitivity is notorious for being a nerve pain, lending creedance to trigeminal neuralgia. you should have structural causes excluded first (as in if you already saw the dentist). you should see the neuro for possible symptomatic treatment. TMJ remains possible but less so with the hypersenstivity

Sounds alot like trigeminal neuralgia

I've been checked repeatedly for TMJ, and several different drs and dentists have agreed that I don't have it. I've got an appt today with my GP to see what his take is. I really don't have time for this right now!!!!!

We're having our Sunday school class over Friday night for a cookout, and my house and yard - well, let's just say the Addams family would feel right at home. I've been pretending that the four foot tall weeds in my front flower beds are actually "natural landscaping". Birds are roosting on my back porch ceiling fans. I'm so ashamed!

It sounds like you have a lot going on. If it's nerve damage, or TN (trigeminal neuralgia) as previously suggested, it would make sense. The more active or stressful/busy my days, the more my painful sensations, including TN, flare up.

A dental pain specialist, if you can find one, would cover a lot of bases because they look for everything (sinuses, ears, bite etc) in one place.

I hope you get to feeling better quick.

I never heard of a dental pain specialist, but I bet that would be helpful. I went to my PCP today, and he called my neuro and consulted. They both think it could be TN, so I'm going to be having an MRI soon. He gave me an rx for something, but I don't want to start it until I get the MRI done because it's some heavy duty stuff.

This really stinks, because I've been feeling great other than the facial pain! I've not been as sleepy since I got off the carbs, and I've been able to get more done. I scrubbed all the siding on the back porch from top to bottom, scrubbed the porch, washed the windows....... I'm taking advantage of some really beautiful weather. It only got up to about 80 today with no humidity. It was almost too cool to be out in my swimsuit.

To be honest, that's why I mentioned 'if you can find one'. :)

I had to travel an hour each way to see the guy I found and my case worker while I was on leave from work found him for me. She said I was very fortunate that he's practicing in this area, because they're rare (dental pain specialists that is).

He ran a few EMG's on me (dentist) which were quite telling of a lot of pain conditions.

In the end, he diagnosed TMJ and TN/ATN (atypical trigeminal neuralgia), but he also picked up on things like abnormal swallowing which is seeing with... dundundun... MS!