Sorry, but the TN club is one I really don't want to join...(duh) but my internet searches on symptoms keep circling that diagnosis.

About 3 weeks ago I noticed that I have a spot (about the size of a lemon) on my scalp that is very tender...like a sunburn (hurts if my hair moves) and it's on my left upper side..right where my crown is (where the hair is swirly--ya know?). This scalp tenderness came and went for a couple days and then stayed.

About a week later I noticed electric shock zaps--super fast pow that hurt enough to make me jump a little (but were gone so quickly it was more tiring and irritating than really debilitating). I can't even tell where they "start" but then end up in my ear..ouch. This went on for a couple days...I'd have maybe 20 or 30 "zaps" per day--sort of clustered...but I couldn't tell anything is triggering them.

Then it got better for a couple days (even scalp area although still tender felt maybe less tender) and then back for a day and then gone then back etc...

I have an appt with an ENT next week to check for weird ear/sinus/tmj trouble...whatever (although I have no pain with opening my jaw no popping to pain to the touch at my left tmj area).

I have had no face pain...although sometimes i think I can feel a tingling on that side of my face...but I'm just about convinced that is because I am highly suggestible and am freakin' out a little about this.

I can't get in to see a neurologist until the middle of next month and the way this is going it might be so mild by then I'm going to feel dumb going to see someone.

As of now I would say the scalp pain/tenderness has stayed the same (in the same place--always sensitive but some times more than other) but the zaps seem less intense...I'm not jumping really now..although I feel them and they're not comfortable.

Anyway, I'm finding myself a little freaked out that this might be early TN... I just turned 50 a few weeks ago if that's relevant. I don't like to be sick and I don't like to see doctors and I've been one of those blessed healthy people for the most part...right now I'm wishing I'd never even looked up my symptoms. Hell, the first website I looked at called this the "suicide disease" *edit* No wonder I'm freaked out.

So...this doesn't sound like TN...right?

thanks
m

Welcome to Neuro Talk. You found a good site to help you through this. I hope you don't have TN for sure. There are folks on this site that can help you while you get a diagnosis. I would recommend you go to a neurologist, and figure out for sure what is going on. Those Shocks you get sound awful, and you should try to get some testing done to figure it out. Nobody wants to live with that kind of pain. It may be the neurologist would also recommend another field of medicine. Just don't give up. There is help for it, if indeed it turns out to be this. You mentioned you do not have an appt. until the middle of the month. Maybe there will be a few people who can recommend something for the pain until you get to the doctor. Perhaps your primary health care doctor could help out until you see the specialist. I wish you all the best. Keep in touch with Neruo Talk. There are some good people to talk to when you feel frightened. That is the reason why I joined the site two years ago. I have cervical issues, and sure needed the help when I had fusion. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope there will be others who chime in to talk about this with you. ginnie

hmmm...tried to quick reply and it disappeared. clueless.

And, sorry, btw to the moderators about the required edit--I totally wasn't thinking. My apologies...

The last thing I want to do is get off on the wrong foot here--I'm a member of a greyhound forum and it's been so helpful when something weird is going on with one of my dogs--I totally get the value of shared experience.

See...I shoulda named this thread something different, because now I'm worried that people have read it and not replied...and perhaps their non-reply is a reply...Ha!

Anyway sorry for any offense and sorry if I sound like a total goof. I certainly don't expect anybody here to diagnose me. I'm seeing an ENT next week and a neurologist as soon as I can get into see one (mid july, it looks like.)

Ah well...it is what it is. I just hope it isn't.
melissa

Meldec,

I'm not a doctor, but TN doesn't usually affect the scalp. ON/occipital neuralgia does. I get ear pain with TN, but it is deep inside the ear. I also think there are a couple of other neuralgias that effect the ear, but i'm not experienced in them. Every time I see my ENT or PCP and complain of ear pain, they look in my ears and tell me they are fine and attribute it to TN. If you've had Shingles you could have post herpetic neuralgia that could leave you with nerve damage which equals pain.

Anyway, you've got appointments already made so you need to wait until you see the doctors to get some firm answers as to whats going on with you. I know its easier said than done, but try. Since your already researching your symptoms, its probably a good idea to write down any questions you come accross or any similarities you find in what your reading so the doctors can address any questions you have. Once you've seen the doctor, please post what he/she finds. There are a lot of good people on here with experience and even more support to offer as well.

Take care, ee

thanks and you're right of course. I'm not good at waiting...but sometimes I have no choice.

My ear pain is deep as well...way inside...but I do feel encouraged that the scalp thing is unusual with TN especially since it was the first weirdness I noticed. I'm very hopeful that my ENT will find some sinus/ear infection or even some tmj issue. Not that TMJ problems are a piece of cake, but at least they seem more manageable than TN from what I've read.

So, fingers crossed for next Tuesday. I am keeping a journal of sorts of what's been going on, because, if my head is anything like my car, it will suddenly stop having issues the minute I walk into the doctor's office...only to begin again ten minutes after I leave. Ha!