Facial neuralgia

[artemis]

I don't know whether this is off topic, but yesterday I got an attack of facial neuralgia, on the left side cheekbone with pain extending into the teeth. I've had this on and off for years - I'll get an attack that can last for a week or more, then have nothing for 2-3 years. The pain got so bad last night that I just about knocked myself out on Panadeine, but still woke during the night with pain. BTW it's not toothache - the tooth nearest to the painful area has been killed off by root canal and then capped. I've had it all checked out by dentists over the years and it's all clear as fas as they're concerned.

So this morning I googled 'facial neuralgia' and among a lot of info was a reference to diabetic neuropathy. As I already have peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, I guess it could be related. I'm not asking for medical info, but has anyone else had this sort of thing?

[_hollywood_]

I googled the term and I think I've had something like this before. I think for me its coupled with sinus problems.

I find that strong panadol and also tiger balm are helpful to ease the pain.

[artemis]

I ended up getting Mersyndol from the pharmacy, and took two tablets at night on Saturday. That knocked me out for most of yesterday (fuzzy head etc) but it also took care of the pain. Sometimes this has been associated with sinus, but not this time. Touch wood, I'll be OK now.

[TraceyT]

I went through this same situation last Sept. It started off with sinus pain then went into my teeth. I was having dental treatment done at the time and they did nerve testing in my teeth thinking I neeeded a root canal. It came back all clear and he did xrays telling me to go back to dr as he though it was my sinuses.It felt like a had something jammed up my nose and right through my cheek. Dr sent me for a ct and that came back all clear. She said I had facial Neuralgia and started me on Lyrica 75mg.It seemed to ease the pain a little then she pushed me up to 2 a day. I felt like a zombie so just went back to one at night.Very expensive $70 for 56 so lucky have private health to claim. I stayed on for 3 months then they weaned me off but the pain came back and dr doesn't want me using pain killers for this pain. I have kept using them but hate the fact I have put on 10kgs....when I weaned off them I lost 4kgs pretty quickly. I had tried acupunture to help ease the pain but no good so I will keep going with the Lyrica.

[Coll]

Hi Jane,

Sorry to hear of this - not good :( My aunt (who lives in NZ but we email all the time) had FN for some time and it was quite debilitating for her. It has resolved itself for now...I could find out more if you like about what she did to deal with it, pain relief etc or anything in particular you would like me to ask. She doesn't have T1. :) Coll. Also if you coped just on panadiene congrats - it would have taken forte+++ for me I reckon - I have a low pain threshold!!!!

[artemis]

Thanks Coll - it's resolved, and on previous history, I probably won't have to worry for the next couple of years (I hope). Panadeine by itself was only taking the edge off the pain, but the Mersyndol (2 tablets) with the calmative in it did the trick. I was woozy the next day though - couldn't focus properly, and just wanted to sleep. I'm goijnng to mention it to my endo in a couple of weeks, just to see if it is D related, or just coincidental.

[Jessie L]

i have never had facial neuralgia - however have nueropathy and the pain clinic at my local hospital was a godsend. They have a multidicilplinary approach and had lots of experience with different sorts of pain meds. I was initially misdiagnosed and put on celebrex (anti inflammatory) and then oxycontin which made me sleepy but really only took the edge off the pain - i could not function on an ongoing basis on this med as there are lots of side effects and it can be addictive. It was only after I consulted a nuerologist and the pain team that progress and a correct diagnosis was made.

Personally I found Lyrica near useless so they tried Gabapentin which gave me that zombie feeling you speak of (word association, delayed reaction time etc)... I eventually came off the anti seizure meds and they tried duloxotine 30mg and nortriptiline 10mg nocte and my nerve pain is now stable and under control with minimal side effects. I suggest you speak to a specialist in this area because many doctors only have limited experience with nerve pain and there are lots of alternatives which can help.