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745568 tn?1232849801

left sided facial/eye/mouth pain

Every couple months, I get left sided facial pain.  My eye hurts, my mouth hurts (gums usually get swollen and I can't even chew food on that side), and the skin on that side hurts to even touch it--even my scalp.  It's like you could cut my head/face directly down the middle and the left side hurts extremely bad and the right side feels fine.  A few times, I've gone to the dentist (mainly because that's where it starts about 50% of the time) because my gums were so swollen.  They've even become purple sometimes.  Anyway, he says it's a virus and gives me a prescription for valtrex.  It's been happening so often (every 2 months or so) that he's given me refills on the valtrex because we've found out if I start taking it as soon as I know this is coming on, it stops the pain before it gets too bad.  Usually it takes 1-2 days before the pain gets excruciating and now at least the pain doesn't get out of control.  But, I've noticed that it is happening more often (used to be every 4-6 months and for the past year it's been happening every 2 months) and the valtrex doesn't stop it as well anymore.  I have gone to a "quick care" when the pain was more in my eye and cheek and they had no ideas for me.  Do you have any suggestions on what this is and what I should do?  Thank you!
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Avatar universal
I'm really surprised. In all this time no one has found a permanent solution to this? This started a few months ago for me. Intermittently. But when it hits, it hits HARD.

I used to occasionally have weird mild numbness, tingles and pain in the skin in front of my jaw that would last for a few hours.

But recently it's become more like what's described here. It will either start out as an earache and move to the jaw or Visa versa. I have a few bad teeth.
Sometimes a sudden irritation, pushing food into a sensitive area, etc. will start it.  
other times trying to fish food out of chipped tooth with my tongue will start it.
Sometimes it will start out as a Charlie horse feeling in my jaw where it feels like there's a kink in my jaw muscle.

But it always ends up the same way. Stabbing aches from my ear into my jaw, cheek, temples, and ear.

It usually goes away within an hour or so, but sometimes comes back the same day. Sometimes I'll go a few weeks without a problem.

I had convinced myself I had  a tooth  abscess or something. But then it suddenly stops hurting a few hours later.

Has anyone on this thread had this issue disappear completely after months or even years?

I don't see how a virus could stay in the immune system for so long.

Probably more likely some sort of intermittent neuralgia.
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1 Comments
I get exactly the same symptoms on the right side of my face. I also get ulcers in my mouth at the same time which my Doctor seems to think is Shingles which gives me Postherpetic Neuralgia. I have been prescribed "Lyrica" for the pain.
Avatar universal
The same thing happens to me, it's actually happening right now which is what led me to this post if anyone who also experiences this would like to get back with me on how they are doing or what their doctors have said, please do! I also experience a clicking or popping noise in my jaw on the left side as well, that is always there but the pain comes and goes every few months but when it's there it's excruciating, starting with my chin it feels like someone punched me in the gym, then moving up to my mouth my lip hurts, especially the corner of my mouth and my gums are painful and swollen, and I cannot you on the left side. Moving up to the space between my lip and nose, it's sort of feels like I have an under-the-skin cyst Styles it, and then my nostril hurts, along with my nose, but literally just the left nostril. Then my cheekbone feels like it is bruised, and where my jaw clicks it is painful even though that's just below my cheekbone, and then my eye hurts all around my eye socket like I got punched in the eye, and it sort of feels like there's sand paper in my eyelid when I blink, and then I have a headache all of my forehead all the way to my scalp but then only concentrated on the left side although I have a headache in my whole head when this happens. Last time it lasted about a week and a half, but I was pregnant with my daughter who is now 3 months old. I also have a 13 year old and 15 year old daughter, and my sciatic nerve is pinched it was pinched when I was pregnant with my 15 year old and got further pinched when I was pregnant with my 13 year old I don't know yet if my 3 month old did any damage to it, but I also have severe severe neuropathy not only in my arms which were diagnosed with carpal tunnel, but in my legs as well which has not been diagnosed yet, but I know that it's the same pain. I'm only thirty-six years old, I've had the carpal tunnel since I was 19 was my first diagnosis, I was 21 when I had my oldest daughter I'm only thirty-six years old, I've had the carpal tunnel since I was 19 was my first diagnosis, I was 21 when I had my oldest daughter and that's when the sciatica started I just wish all of this would go away. I never believed in fibromyalgia, I thought it was a word for people that had pain and it was all in their head, but some people are suggesting that that's what I have, sometimes the trunk of my body will feel like I have a sunburn and it even hurts of clothes touch it, I heard that that's another fibromyalgia thing but because I'm So Young my doctors don't care they think I just want pain pills and I can't even take pain pills I don't want them I just want the pain to stop!
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Avatar universal
I get this ever few months. Always on the left side. I think mine may be linked to my Lyme, Babesia, Bartonella, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Typhus Fever.
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Avatar universal
It's herpes...definitely.
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Avatar universal
I have recently got the same thing but , first time though.
Dentist said it was a virus and gave me acyclovir, I take every 12 hours for 10 days. Also he told me to rinse with perio plus 3 times a day, I do it a little more if I have too, helps pain. When using Perio Plus swish in mouth for 1 minute, spit it out and dont drink anything so it can do its work. Also I was told to bring my PH up and he told me to take a shooter glass fill with 1/2 ounce of pure lime juice and swig it to back of throat trying not to touch my teeth do this 2 times per day. I will also swish and gulp a drink of water after this so it does not stay on teeth in case.  For pain I am to take ibuprofen but I know my stomach doesnt like that to much, so I take tylenol, 2 per 4 hours. sometimes pain was so excrutiating i have to take before the 4 hours is up.  I am also making shakes (healthy ones) I take CoCo Libre 1 cup , 1 cup water, 1 scoop vega protein powder, 1 apple ( I like Gala apples), a handful of kale and blend. You can add blueberries or others things too. I usually freeze my apple ( which I cored and sliced) and put kale together in a baggie ahead of time. I enjoy this shake year round. You can use any combo of shake you like as long as there are some good greens in it as well.
When your immune system is down these things will attack more often as it did me, I was going through renovations, long hours, not eating properly and voila!  Worst pain ever!! Even after natural child birth twice and a few broken bones in my life this was right at the top of PAIN was like my nerve endings were irritated all along one side of mouth, ear, eye even down side of neck sometimes.  Never had cold sores or shingles but this virus is in same family as shingles apparently. Main thing keep immune and PH level up to avoid episodes to come back. Thats what he told me.  Anyhow good luck hope this helps.
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Avatar universal
Sorry i made a typo .... you DO swish Perio Plus for 1 minute and lime juice take 2 times per day.
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Avatar universal
I have recently got the same thing, I realize your post is from 2009 but I stumbled upon it now and have the same thing, first time though. Dentist said it was a virus and gave me acyclovir, I take every 12 hours for 10 days. Also he told me to rinse with perio plus 3 times a day, I do it a little more if I have too, helps pain. When using Perio Plus dont swish in mouth for 1 minute, spit it out and dont drink anything so it can do its work. Also I was told to bring my PH up and he told me to take a shooter glass fill with 1/2 ounce of pure lime juice and swig it to back of throat trying not to touch my teeth. For pain I am to take ibuprofen but I know my stomach doesnt like that to much, so I take tylenol, 2 per 4 hours. sometimes pain was so excrutiating i have to take before the 4 hours is up.  I am also making shakes (healthy ones) I take CoCo Libre 1 cup , 1 cup water, 1 scoop vega protein powder, 1 apple ( I like Gala apples), a handful of kale and blend. You can add blueberries or others things too. I usually freeze my apple ( which I cored and sliced) and put kale together in a baggie ahead of time. I enjoy this shake year round. You can use any combo of shake you like as long as there are some good greens in it as well. anyhow good luck to the rest of you hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Same here!!! Its been going on for a couple of years, off and on, every few months.  Woke up today with the old familiar feeling on my left side under my eye and by my ear...ugh!  It changes all the time! Sometimes its my scalp, Jaw, even the back of my legs???? Very tender to touch, even though you cant see any swelling or anything abnormal. So strange, and no answers from anyone!  I've heard Fibromyalgia symptom, TMJ, Shingles, Herpes ( of which I have had both years ago) It seems to me it happens when my immune system is down a bit.  Sure wish someone had an answer as mine has been occurring more frequently.  I just don't want to go to a bunch of Dr.'s and hear a bunch of BS when they really don't know.  I usually just wait it out 3-4 days and its gone again. Anybody get any real solutions or diagnosis, please reply!!!

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Avatar universal
I would be interested in how you are managing. I also have this problem and I have never heard of anyone else with it until I found this stream. Doctors have not helped, and have no idea. They also suggest the acyclovir and valtrex but the medications do not work/help which makes me think this is not viral afterall. But still it must be viral as what else would come and go the way it does. I wish I could speak with others who have this!
Dianne
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Avatar universal
Wow! Me too. No doctors help, or have any idea. I am upset that it is getting to be more frequent and more painful. I'd appreciate communicating with someone else who is experiencing this. I can't believe I found this conversation!
Dianne
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Avatar universal
Me too. YEARS! but it is also getting worse and more frequent. I just found this conversation and it doesn't seem that people are responding to each other. How are you doing with it today? I'm going through it at this moment and it really wipes me out.
Dianne
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Avatar universal
I just found this conversation. I also have the same thing and I would appreciate communicating with others about their experience. I realize this is years old but if you are still experiences the problem or if you are not I'd like to hear from you. If anyone has had the problem go away completely I'd love to know about that and if you still have it I'd be interesting in the way you're living with it.
Thanks Dianne
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3 Comments
I have the same exact thing! I think it is from anything sharp ( could be a potato chip) that cuts the gums... ( gums could be very sensitive) I have it for about 2 days. Usually I take 3 Motrin and the pain goes away
Mine starts with a gum irritation as well After cereal, chips whatever. If Something hits my gum I go through the roof! The pain/ inflammation travels through my jaw joint into my ear. Skin sensitivity intermittent stabs of pain behind my ear.
I've  been dealing with the same thing as well. It's so painful that I literally cry in agony and pain medicine is not effective. I finally found a solution! A neurologist told me it's a form of a migraine. He gave me a medicine sample which was a pill and it knocked out the pain, it was wonderful. I took the RX to have it filled and the 2 pills were $200! The pharmacist said to ask my dr for Immitrex and to take 2 naproxen sodium at the same time. She said it's the same active ingredients that are in the expensive pills and It's less than $10. I tried it and it works amazingly well. It's the only thing that helps, but you have to take it when the symptoms first appear.
Avatar universal
I realize the date on this is quite old but I just found it. I've been having the same problem for many years and it is getting to be more frequent and severe. I am curious what you are experiencing now. Have your symptoms gotten better, worse, stayed the same? The problem has doctors looking at me as if I am a little nuts. They have no clue but I did get tested for herpes virus and it came back negative. I'd really like to communicate with others who are going through this. It sure doesn't seem like there is an end in site.
Dianne
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I realize the date on this is quite old but I just found it. I've been having the same problem for many years and it is getting to be more frequent and severe. I am curious what you are experiencing now. Have your symptoms gotten better, worse, stayed the same? The problem has doctors looking at me as if I am a little nuts. They have no clue but I did get tested for herpes virus and it came back negative. I'd really like to communicate with others who are going through this. It sure doesn't seem like there is an end in site.
Dianne
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Avatar universal
It's from the herpes virus. It happens around your menstrual cycle and related to stress.
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15211698 tn?1439159636
I have the same symptoms.  I am 37 and this is the very first time this has happened.  I actually thought I was getting late wisdom teeth (I have the roots and they have never come in).  Thinking it was a tooth abscess I took the prescribed antibiotic and it did nothing.  Instead it moved from my right jaw into my right ear.  The glands on that side are visibly swollen.  This is the 3rd week this is happening.  My face is painful to touch and I've been sitting in a sweltering house because the moment the AC touches my right ear it explodes into pain.  Now I've developed a headache, continuing for the 2nd day.
Factors:
1.  I had surgery on my right ear as a child.  something the size of a cherry pit was removed from it.  Since that time I have always experienced discomfort when any strong wing or fan or AC  blows in the right ear.  If I don't cover or protect it -50% chance it turns into an ear infection.
2.  I have the roots for all 4 of my wisdom teeth and my dentist told me that while rare - they can come in until your around the age of 40.  I've had jaw and gum discomfort on and off for about a year.  Maybe 3 times lasting a day or 2.
3.  Migraines run in my family.  I haven't had them since puberty.  My mother takes medication everyday for it.  
4.  I'm in the middle of relocating out of state, starting a new job, and getting engaged -YES I am totally stressed out!
5. Its horrible worse at night.  It feels like an ear infection.  Or more specifically if feels like just after your eardrum ruptures and the pressure subsides but the ear aches.  And then the pressure returns all over again and any attempt to "pop"  my ear results in exacerbating the pain.  
I am miserable and the timing for this is awful.  I'm going to have to go back to the ER for pain meds and patch myself up until after the move.  But whatever is happening is getting worse.  This is the first time I've had all of the symptoms together at once.  It's also the first time that they have happened back to back together (ie:  jaw/gum pain, then ear pain, then headache)  ..I'm a researcher I find things that are hard to find.  But I am running out of ideas to hunt down.  Any and all ideas, thoughts, or hunches -I'll take them.  And absolutely share what I find in the hopes the information helps someone (including myself!)
Thanks
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Avatar universal
Suffering pretty much all the same symptoms inflamed gum, tenderness of the scalp when blinking etc. The best solution I have found is to dip an earbud in neat Corsodyl mouthwash and rub it on my inflamed gum, I don't rinse after the application and usually after doing this one or two times usually at night and the following morning it usually clears it.
I hope this works for you fellow sufferers.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Suffering pretty much all the same symptoms inflamed gum, tenderness of the scalp when blinking etc. The best solution I have found is to dip an earbud in neat Corsodyl and rub it on my inflamed gum, I don't rinse after the application and usually after doing this one or two times usually at night and the following morning it usually clears it.
I hope this works for you fellow sufferers.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have exactly the same symptoms super sensitive skin along cheek bone and eye socket area.  Hair hurts to touch lightly but no different rough,  eye feels hot on outer edge and orb.  Exactly half my head, other side fine!
Had this a few times now......no answers sorry but I'll keep searching.

My Dr said, I quote "time is a great healer, if its worse next week come back if its gone, well and good", ****!
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Avatar universal
Awoke this morning with pain & swelling on my right head, face & neck. Not the 1st time but the worst pain yet. I have had sinus problems for years & also recently diagnosed with a mild stroke & a bulging disk/pinched nerve in my cervical spine. I have a Butrans patch that works great but still have a little pain in my face. Butrans patch prescription is from pain management Dr. I 'm currently diagnosing my self with T.N. since the symptoms are almost identical. No insurance at this time, but hopefully in the next couple of months will have it. In the mean time it's good to know that I'm not the only person with this pain & it helps to read & comment about it. Thanks & good luck to all
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Avatar universal
Hi all!

I know this thread is old but it's been a revelation reading it so I felt I had to reply.

I've had these exact symptoms for years and no-one has had a clue what it is. It's exactly as others have described and is usually on the left side, though it occasionally moves to the right though never both at once. It's definitely some kind of nerve pain, not sharp but just painful to touch and very strange. Pain can be on the side of the face, at the back of the throat, around the eye, in the ear and over the scalp to the crown. Like others have said, even blinking can be painful.

I just put up with it but I've got to say that reading this thread has made me feel so much better. Not that I want others to suffer from it too but knowing I'm not on my own has been a blessing.

If I ever find out what it is or how to prevent it, I'll be right back to post.

In the meantime, I wish you all the best.

Philip x
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Avatar universal
hi i have the same pain i also went to a dentist he said it wasn't teeth related and i went and saw an ENT doctor he prescribed some pain killers and some thing like citrocen but not exactly that and nose drops the pain went a way in 3 to 4 days i also get it every month i think the best thing to do is to inhale steam and try to keep you're nostrils clean and rest nun of these medicines work. it comes with braking rest and stress so try to avoid both i have it at this moment im putting a leave and going home to sleep it out.
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Avatar universal
My pain in the left side of my face started about a year ago.  I've been suffering from cold sores (herpes simplex virus) since childhood, mostly with outbreaks around my mouth.  As I got older, the sores started to develop also under my nose.  And then a year ago, the roof of my mouth, especially the left side would get really sore and painful.  I don't feel pain in my eye but my left jaw and cheekbone hurt. Also, I've been getting these sores on the inside of my left nostril.  They seem to be different then the cold sores and they take forever to heal.  I do grind my teeth and had my dentist try to adjust my bite and I also suffer from migraines.  Dentist seemed at a loss to what it is. Anyone have anymore insight out there?
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Avatar universal
I have had this issue for years. I ve found that my immune system gets suppressed and I start getting a mouth sore/ or cold sore and if I don't take valtrex immediately I will have nerve pain on one side of face and neck. I believe it is associated with herpes and shingles. From what I inderstand they are related. I was not happy taking valtrex as much as I was and decided to try lysine. I take 1000 mgs everyday and that he's helped me tremendously. I still have times where It gets bad enough and and I have to resort to the valtrex  but it is much less. This is a very painful condition.  The other thing that helps is taking Advil and Tylenol together for the nerve pain, they work synergistically somehow. Also icing the pain in the face. If anyone has any other ideas please post.  I will try almost anything as I am so tired of this.
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