Whiplash and orofacial pain -- burning mouth
 

I suffer from burning mouth syndrome, facial tingling and eye pain. And one of my doctors has come up with a theory about my condition that I had never considered. Whiplash.

I was in a bad car accident 30 years ago. I’m now 50. My doctor, who is a whiplash and interventional pain specialist, ordered a special MRI that examines the alar transverse ligaments – the ones that connect the occiput with the atlas vertebrae. My ligaments were abnormal, consistent with whiplash injury. Because I’ve had BMS since only June of 2009, I couldn’t imagine why a car accident from 30 years ago could be playing a role, although I have suffered for months with cervicogenic vertico and spasms of the neck muscles. My doctor theorized that youth compensated for the damaged ligaments for these last three decades, but now that I’m older, my neck muscles can no longer compensate.

He stated with confidence that he sees orofacial pain – tongue symptoms, eye pain and tingling face – commonly in his whiplash patients. He was also suspicious of dental appliances I wore from January to May of 2009 for TMJ, because my BMS started in June. The applianced, combined with the damaged ligaments, may have brought all this on.

Does anyone else have similar experience?

Dbrow