My pain sounds similar to yours. I have been diagnosed with Atypical TN. I was very confused at first because my pain didn't come in short, shooting bursts of electrical type pain that people with TN describe.

Mine starts out in my molars on the top and bottom left side and by the middle of the day my left jaw, cheek and ear are so sore. It is a constant, digging and pulling, achy pain like I got punched in the face. There are some days it isn't there and some days are worse than others.

As soon as I starting reading about Atypical TN, or Type II TN, it fit my pain very well.

My journey started out in the dental office, too, as I was convinced it was my teeth. Next to a TMJ specialist who said I have TMD and bruxism and gave me a night guard. When the pain was continuing to increase I had an MRI, which was fine, and was finally diagnosed with TN.

Good luck to you on this terrible journey!

I doubt it is TMJ Disorder.
A Tricyclic medicatiOn or Lyrica might do the trick. These are meds to ask the doctor about.

Hi ibdvine,

I've been through a similar situation, in fact exactly like JustJane.
And after everything, one thing I can say is that if something like a valium or another anxiolytic makes the pain go away, it's probably a nerve disorder.

My story in a nutshell.
Started with pain on right side of my face, treated for sinus infections and referred to a dentist and ENT. (months and months on and off antibiotics and even sinus surgery suggested.)
Started with dental work a year ago and a domino effect followed.
-Top 2nd molar pulled because of major pain, the pain didn't stop in the area.
-Removed bone graft 6 months later, no infection present. OUCH!!
-Then extracted the bottom 2nd molar.
-Then ended up root canaling both 1st molars...
---The pain in the area did not stop. In fact got worse because of the abuse of the area by dentists.
-TMJ diagnosis and mouth guard which has helped a bit because I do clench.

After multiple ct-scans and mri's "everything looks great"!!
And the root-canals seem perfectly done.

But the cheek and jaw pain didn't cease, and it would always start with the molars on the right side feeling swollen with a dull pain that would sometimes turn sharp to the point that i'd want to pass out.
Often turning into an intense migraine lasting a couple days on end.
This would include ear and neck pain all the way through the cheek and lower jaw, always only on the right side.

Finally I stumbled across something when I took a Valium and amazingly all of the pain/pressure in my teeth was gone.

So after many incompetent doctors and specialists that are always convinced that you have what they specialize in, I finally came across a doctor that has listened and explained to me how this is probably trigeminal neuralgia and atypical migraine.

Perlo.
Your pain does sound so similar to mine. I'm so sorry that you have had so much dental work done unnecessarily. And are in so much pain. I am still convinced sometimes that it must be my teeth. There are times I wish I could pull them out myself!!
This has been such a frightening experience. Even when I am not in pain I am always waiting for it to come back. It's exhausting and really has a negative effect on my overall mental state. I am terribly distracted by the pain most of the time and it is easy to fall into depression and anxiety.
I have never tried to take Valium? What side effects does that give you? What other meds are you trying? Are you still in pain?
I thankfully don't get migraines with my pain but I know that a lot of people do. I hope you are finding some relief

Anybody experience crawling, scale-like, toothpick, sensations inside mouth following gamma knife procedure. No pain now, but sensations are driving me crazy!

Perlo,
I'm so sorry. Horrible!
Our stories are somewhat similar.
I have many losses, including a pulled tooth...all for no reason.
I also have what looks like permanent pain.
My dx is Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Can you take the Valium long term?
Check out a book called " Striking Back!"
Also check out my previous posts.
Wishing you well..... I know this is very hard.