left sided facial/eye/mouth pain

[shallet]

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!

[Miko1968]

This is my 4th bout and so far the worst.  My doc too has suggested facial shingles.  The problem now is my left ear is agony and my back teeth are so sore.  This is the first time my mouth has ulcered.  My doc also gave me anti vital acyclovir , ... 5 soluble tablets a day... Which do work for a few weeks then it comes back.  I'm now waiting for an ent appointment .   My doc phoned ent for advice and they suggested the virus has left damage to the nerve running through my ear.   It's like someone has drawn a line down my face as it's all on the left side.    Aaarrrggh

[Jodisnor]

I noticed this thread started a while back.  I am having these same symptoms as I write and have for about 3/4 years now intermittently.  when I mentioned it to my doctor, he diagnosed it as mild shingles.  but it keeps coming back every few months and I didn't think shingles did that.  He is an amazing Dr. and has never been wrong yet.  I don't take prescribed meds when the bouts occur, I just suffer through with Excedrin for Migraine.  seems like none of us really has any concrete answers.

[Trekiegirl1227]

I am a 40 y/o healthy woman and I just recently noticed swelling on the left side of my face. I have swelling around my left eye and check is swollen. No problems with chewing, but left ear hurts as does left eye. Does any have any info about this problem???? Really want to know

[Terri2380]

I have had this condition for the last 35 years. It began in my 20's. My sister had it and now my son gets it too, I believe there is some genetic factor. For me it is usually related to getting a chill on my face, being in a draft from wind or air conditioning. I get it on both sides of my face. I think it's neurological, but much as I've talked to many doctors about it, I haven't had any answers. They've even tried to tell me the facial pain and the mouth soreness are unrelated, when I've had this probably 50 times. It always starts with pain just in front of my ear and then the facial sensitivity begins. It can hurt to brush my hair, blink, and even the lightest touch to my face can be painful. The mouth soreness usually begins a day or two after the initial onset and can last a week or more. Right now the roof of my mouth is raw, but sometimes it hits the lower nerves more and I have a sore throat and soreness around my gums as many of you have mentioned. It's a miserable affliction. I haven't tried the antiviral medication. Perhaps that will help. I've been able to head it off with warm compresses if I do it as soon as it's begun, but only a few times. Lately it's been really bad but I've been more stressed. I do think stress plays a part in this.

[cdancing]

I believe this may be related to tmj.  This can be caused by grinding your teeth at night.  all of the nerves in the face are connected so this can happen.  I am thinking a mouth guard at night may help.  I experience the back of my gums hurting and being sensative when I chew.  Also I have a sharp pain that shoots on the right side of my ear.  Sometimes experience a sharp pain on my scalp as well.  It feels better when I exercise my jaw and stretch it, so I know this has to be related to the mouth moving somehow.  Does this sound familiar to anyone?

[littleamo]

I'll have to check out Sjogrens.  I have had these same exact symptoms since I was 16.  I am now 33.  I have gone to so many doctors and dentists and no one knows what it is.  Very frustrating!  I have to say I was almost excited to see other people with the same symptoms as me.  Does anyone have any updates on a diagnoses?