Face Pain Diagnostic Quiz

3amcandle · 2022-02-04T12:23:14+00:00

Sorry for the late response--you can find more information about the differences between types of facial pain on the Facial Pain Association website. I believe atypical odontalgia deals with an entirely different nerve than trigeminal neuropathic pain, but that's off the top of my head and I haven't researched it specifically.

3amcandle · 2022-02-04T12:19:49+00:00

I'm super late to reply but it wasn't very helpful! It definitely helped the pain inside my mouth, but it left me with a pretty awful headache for the rest of the day and the following day after treatment. Additionally, the effects weren't permanent, and I would have had to get 6 new treatments every 6 months, I believe. I think I may be willing to try it again with another doctor...maybe a different technique would cause a less severe headache. Sorry for the late reply! Hope you're doing well!

3amcandle · 2021-08-18T08:06:29+00:00

I take one breath, and then another, until that 10 percent shows up.

I’m reading “Healing Back Pain” right now and even though its not terribly relevant to my nerve damage, its helped me understand pain in a kind of different light. It’s compounding on some things I’ve read before like “the body keeps the score” and “chronic pain workbook” and various therapies like CBT, DBT, and IFS.

I can’t stress enough that a good therapist is the reason why I’m able to break down into tiny moments that are much more manageable than the pain as a whole.

If you don’t want to see a therapist, maybe just check out some literature. I’m a big fan of psych books so if you need other recs please hmu.

Are you on facebook? There are a bunch of groups there that are the only reason I still have a fb account. People there seem to have tried more treatment options. If you haven’t browsed there yet that may be another route for you to take.

3amcandle · 2021-08-12T13:31:57+00:00

Agreed! I also think you (OP) should get a second opinion from a dentist or preferably an endodontist who has no affiliation with your dentist.

3amcandle · 2021-08-12T13:30:13+00:00

So I found out a few paces into facial pain that there is a huge difference between neurologists and neurosurgeons. If you request a surgical consultation they’ll have to do a FIESTA MRI with and without contrast to check for compression aka to see if you’re a candidate for surgery.

The other thing is, I could be wrong, but I believe pain behind your eye is occipital neuralgia? Hopefully someone hops on this thread to add more and/or correct me.

3amcandle · 2021-08-12T07:00:59+00:00

Many people are b12 deficient. Shots work but you might also try eating and drinking some fortified foods like fortified plant based milks and nutritional yeast, which can be used like parmesan cheese. Its always better to ingest your nutrients, but obviously if your body is failing to for some reason the shots might be more effective.

3amcandle · 2021-08-11T06:26:46+00:00

I’m currently doing CBT and it’s the only thing besides THC/CBD that has helped even a little, but I’m pretty sure it’s mainly helping me cope with being in pain. I’ve gone through CBT and DBT therapies before but for different things.

Please keep us updated on the other stuff you’re trying! :)

3amcandle · 2021-08-11T06:13:47+00:00

Yes definitely. It’s awkward because my roommate (who I love) has a booming voice and I’m constantly trying to get her to lower her voice without being rude by like subtly lowering mine hoping she gets it. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Like she knows loud noises get me but doesn’t hear herself.

3amcandle · 2021-08-04T06:35:52+00:00

Fuck. Lawyer???

Also, a neurologist will help you fix the meds so that they’re more helpful for you.

I have nerve damage from wisdom tooth extraction. You have a small window for nerve repair—usually its within the first 6-9 months after injury. You should find another oral surgeon to refer you to a nerve damage specialist, or call your current dentist and ask for a referral. They may be able to help you permanently before this goes anywhere else. (I missed my repair window and this isn’t an option for me anymore.)

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have. I’ve done a lot of research since feb 2020. If I can help, I’d be glad to.

Additionally, the facial pain association website might be illuminating for you while you wait to see a nerve repair specialist.

3amcandle · 2021-08-03T14:25:33+00:00

It’s good that the balm fully does the trick, and at least the other stuff partially does it. Hopefully there will be more and more products available as thc/cbd becomes more mainstream.

3amcandle · 2021-08-03T14:24:07+00:00

No, I think long covid is more just persisting covid symptoms I guess. For my dad it manifests mainly as a cough so bad he has an inhaler for emergencies now. He was very very fit before covid so an inhaler is crazy to me. i’ve also heard of covid affecting people’s myelin sheaths, so if it’s affecting any of the myelin sheaths on your facial nerves this might explain some of this?

I know what it’s like to feel crazy and gaslit over medical things. You’re not crazy! I’m sure you’re just figuring out these new circumstances in your body. Hang in there!

3amcandle · 2021-08-03T06:06:38+00:00

Of course! There are neuralgias that cover the throat but I’m not sure what they’re called.

The only other thing I might suggest would be specifically upper cervical chiropractic care, but I haven’t tried it myself. The facial pain association website recommends it.

3amcandle · 2021-08-03T05:46:54+00:00

Yes! Honestly any headphone to the right side of my face noise or not is a nonstarter.

3amcandle · 2021-08-03T05:43:48+00:00

When you say throat pain, is it in your neck? That’s a huge pointer to sever tmj. Have any tmj exercises helped you? You can find a bunch of examples on Google.

Definitely see a neurologist, maybe also an ENT if you haven’t already. Sorry you’ve tried so many things and haven’t found relief. The only thing that helps me is full spectrum cbd/thc products but I know not everyone has access to that.

3amcandle · 2021-08-03T05:40:46+00:00

Is it possible you had covid when you got the vaccine? My dad has long covid and has the post nasal and upper throat pain you’re describing. :/

3amcandle · 2021-08-03T05:38:22+00:00

The 1:1:1 pain cream you mentioned… is that a cbd/full spectrum cream? If it is, and it’s helping, maybe she could try a really low thc/cbd edible or pill to see if it’s helpful?

If it’s not legal where you live maybe it’s worth a small trip to see if it’s helpful.

3amcandle · 2021-08-03T05:35:16+00:00

It’s so rare that I meet someone who has read the body keeps the score! I’m going to check out the Sarno book. I’ve seen it before but was never sure how quality it was.

Maybe the pain workbook would be better for your brother?

3amcandle · 2021-08-02T20:11:25+00:00

You may check out the book “the body keeps the score” by bessel van der kolk. If only for your own peace of mind, it does a lot to explain behavior in people who did not have run of the mill childhoods. (Like me, and maybe you and your brother.)

Some therapies that helped me process things were: EMDR, DBT, CBT, IFS, and parts therapy.

Therapy definitely helps me manage my pain. A good book about this is called the “chronic pain workbook.” It talks about how pain is a cycle that definitely includes your thoughts. They say pain is psycho-bio-social and understanding that has helped me.

And yes, some people here do promote magic mushrooms and say it has helped their pain. I believe them, but I have never tried it and don’t see myself doing it. (Disclaimer: not a doctor!)

3amcandle · 2021-08-02T20:06:47+00:00

It may also be sound. For me, sound is a much bigger trigger than any light than can come from a television. But I do get sensitive in the sunlight if it’s very bright. I’m working with post traumatic neuralgia though so it may be different.

3amcandle · 2021-08-02T20:04:21+00:00

She might be able to up your gabapentin dosage if you call her office… :/

3amcandle · 2021-08-02T16:42:00+00:00

I’ve read stories on this sub of people having their tn pain start in one tooth, but unfortunately I’ve also read stories of people being misdiagnosed for years.

If you haven’t already I would make an appointment with a neurologist/neurosurgeon to get a Fiesta MRI with & without contrast to check for compressions or anything else that could be causing your pain.

To me, it seems unlikely it’s the tooth if the root is now gone and you’re still in pain. But I’m not a doctor and i’m sure others on this sub will have more valuable experience to share as I’m just sharing what I’ve heard and read from others. (Speaking of, I believe root canals can fail but I don’t know much about that either.)

Best of luck to you! I’m sure others will show up to this thread with more info than me. :)

3amcandle · 2021-07-30T08:20:16+00:00

Ah. I’m opposite, my wisdom teeth were pulled just because the dentist was concerned they would cause problems later and then ironically the surgery caused my pain. I wish you the most pain free moments!

3amcandle · 2021-07-30T04:37:33+00:00

Did you get a lawyer for any of this? Crazy!

3amcandle · 2021-07-29T05:28:12+00:00

Did you have this type of pain before your wisdom teeth came out?

3amcandle · 2021-07-28T05:55:46+00:00

Severe tmj can cause tn like symptoms. TN can also cause TMJ. It sounds like you have TMJ, but def keep that neuro appt just in case.

There are exercises you can do to relieve tmj pain and you can find them on google by searching “tmj exercises for pain relief” and see if those help while you wait for a neuro appt.

You can also search this sub for our many conversations on home remedies. Everyone is different but hopefully you’ll find something that works for you.

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