[Azonic]

Hi all,

Wow, where to start. I guess age and gender. Healthy 31 year old dude. My "problem" started early December 2010. I had a cavity in my one molar, and was getting a little bit of tooth ache in that area. I thought it was the tooth. A dentist sorted the tooth out and a x-ray confirmed that the tooth was not causing the pain. That week, with the tooth pains, I'd get sharp electrical shocks running from the jaw, up the back of my head. Sharp pains on the scalp. I went to a doctor and he said he thinks I've got shingles. Singles? Never heard of it (but I know all about it now). From that day forth started the journey with shingles... The jaw pain mostly went away, and then a "P" shaped area on the back of my head started getting very sore (right hand side only). It would be painful, numb, sensitive and itchy all at the same time. The pain would go through different phases, electric shocks on the affected scalp, etc. I couldn't sleep on that side of my head for over a month. I would scratch my head/hair allot cause it would itch so badly you'd go CRAZY. I applied all kinds of creams and other treatments during the shingles phase, and had lots of drugs. I only had a few blisters on my head, albeit I don't know whether it was from the shingles or from me scratching my head all the time. There was never and facial pain.

Then came the pain attacks. Of my Lord I cannot explain how painful the pain attacks were... I was (again) scratching my head in front of the TV one night, and near the top of my head, near the crown I scratched really hard into my scalp (didn't break skin, just pressed hard). Next moment my scalp and the entire "P" shaped area started burning, burning, BURNING, EXTREMELY sore. I sat up and told my wife I'd done something, something was happening to me right then and there. I thought I was dying. The pain was so bad that I'd sit there and clench my fists and just shake. Afterwards the whole side of my head would ache, eye would water, etc. The attacks would last about 30 seconds or so. I got them for a week, roughly 3 per day.

One day I got two, not even 30 minutes apart. Then they were gone. The super sensitive area on the back of my head became better and eventually everything was good again. A 4-5 week experience I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

About a month after that, I started feeling a slightly crawling in my cheek. No pain, just a little tap on the shoulder to say, hello, I'm back (or something else).

This last week or two now, I'm getting various pains in my face, right hand side. Nothing extreme, but its there. I'm also getting slightly stinging sensations on the back of my head again. Then the front teeth would hurt a little, 10 seconds later there'd be a pain in my ear, a minute later the rear (original) molar would hurt a little, etc. All the while, just a constant discomfort in the cheek.

So I'd like to know what the hell is going on? Is it post herpatic neuralgia from the shingles episode, or is it good 'ol trigeminal neuralgia?

[Burntmarshmallow]

well first I must stress none of us here are doctors and the best thing is to see a neuro or other pain doc .
but to me it sounds like a type of T.N. or pre t.n. symptoms. I know of others who have gotten t.n. after having shingles. stop seeing dentist and find a good neuro T.N. can be ruled out by a doc and also meds can be given to help lower or eliminate the pains if there is something like T.N. or other type of neuro pathic or neuralgia . let us know how things turn out..but most surely if it bothers you KEEP pressing the issue and find a neuro or other doc besides a dentist.
sending positive energy to you . hope things settle down and you get help and answers soon. keep us posted we are here for you
PEACE
BMW