I am a 38 year old mom of 3 with random neurological symptoms that have seemed to settle on the right side of my face/head. (But, I still have occasional numbness in the extremities.)

After three months of constant, unexplained numbness in my chin and lower lip and random earlobe numbness in both ears, I woke up with a burning sensation surrounding my right ear on Christmas Eve. It extends in front of and behind my ear down part of my neck and toward my face. There is pressure around my ear, but the actual ear inside is clear. It affects the temple area. My cheek and lower lip/chin. It is present every moment, but it does not bother me at night at all. I don't experience it until I have been up 2 or 3 minutes. (The day before, I had a burning headache on the front right side of my head. Nothing relieved it. I have had that on and off for months.)

When it was just my chin and lower lip bothering me, I had an MRI, MRA, EKG, EEG, EMG, ct scan in October. All normal. A consult with a neuro in the hospital was short and sweet. On Christmas Eve, when the burning sensation started around the ear, I went to the ER again. The ct scan was normal. The ER doctor mentioned TN but left it at that. I followed up this week with my PCP. No mention of TN.

I had a routine appt. Thursday with my asthma doctor, and he mentioned TN. So, I started researching it. I think he may be onto something. But, I think mine would be ATN, IF this is what it is.

It is funny because I actually am trying hypo-allergenic make-up as applying make-up makes it stronger...as does eating breakfast. Those two issues were present BEFORE I had ever heard the name TN.

I have an appointment tomorrow at a clinic hours away because my family has been so concerned. But, I think I can get a Neuro referral from my regular doctor instead of starting over with a new Internal medicine doctor in a town hours away.

Please let me know your thoughts. While I do not want ATN, I want a diagnosis. I have prayed everyday that the symptoms go away or I find out what is wrong. I can handle either. The not-knowing is just hard. And, I don't want another week of laying around, wishing I had my life back 4 months ago. Why, oh why, did it have to get so bad at the absolute BEST time of the year? I was not the mom I wanted to be this Christmas.

Thanks for any input.