Numb Chin

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this who can help.

For about a week my chin right up to my bottom lip has felt numb

I google (I know major no no!!) To see whether or not i should bother my GP during lockdown. The results I got suggested that if it came on all of a sudden, with no history of dental, facial surgery or trauma I should contact the gp because it very often means cancer has metastaticised. Also it could be MS.

I'm normally not one to panic with hysteria, BUT I'm struggling to find an alternative after a thorough search online for more minor possibilities.

So has anyone heard of this? Numb chin? Its apparently a medical 'red flag'. Should I really be worried? I read life expectancy after cancer diagnosis with numb chin is 1 year. I'm probably possibly sh@*$ting myself.

I appreciate any advice and yes I will be phoning the doctor once they open tomorrow

[Somethingsosimple]

Hello @Ispywithmycynicaleye. My mum had something very similar a few years ago. I read exactly the same thing and was so worried. She spoke to GP who suggested it was tooth related and prescribed antibiotics. They stared to work very quickly and helped the numbness. She then saw her dentist who discovered the problem and she had root canal

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

Thanks for replying. Yeh google is not the place to go to self diagnose lol. I don't think it is tooth related, I saw my dentist recently and everything was ok. I'll go back for another check up when they return to work.

My DR wants me to go down for blood tests if it is still numb in a couple of weeks. Hopefully it's better soon.

[thereisfreedomwithin]

Not all gps are busy, ours aren’t. Try calling them. Good luck!

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

I called them yesterday. Dr wants me to go down for blood tests if it's still numb in 2 or 3 weeks. They're not doing blood tests just now.

The only other thing I've noticed it I have no energy, just feel totally exhausted despite sleeping longer or having a nap.

Looks like a wait and see I guess. Hopefully it resolves itself.

[MrsEricBana]

I had something like this years ago. All sorts of tests. They never got to the bottom of it except it seemed to happen when I was very anxious. Hope it resolves soon.

[Nat6999]

Daft question, have you had antibiotics for a uti recently? I've had recurrent uti's & have nearly always been prescribed Nitrofuarantin, since November last year I have lost feeling in both legs & feet, both hands & fingers & for nearly a week my bottom lip & chin, only after doing a lot of googling did I find out it is a side effect of the antibiotics, it is on the leaflet in the smallest print ever. I've been left nearly unable to walk, I have to use crutches now.

[TheGirlFromStoryville]

Nat6999

How interesting re Nitrofurantoin!
I was prescribed that 3 weeks ago for uti, since then my thumbs/first fingers have been numb on my right hand. Didn't know that side effect of nitro.

Op - could be a whole heap of benign causes. Anxiety can cause a load of symptoms, or could be neuralgia etc. Hopefully it clears up for you. In the meantime, avoid Google if possible.

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I'm not really one for getting anxious tbh, not even about lockdown or the virus.

Nat6999 Oh wow! Thats awful! Didnt they warn you about the side effects

I've not had any UTI's or been on any antibiotics. I'm glad I havent now! I hope you get better

Chin is still numb but I feel much better knowing it can just be nothing

It was a bit of a shock reading a medical research document which said presenting with a numb chin in the absence of dental or trauma nearly always leads to the diagnosis of metastatic cancers.

Then made worse again that I've had abnormal smears since 2015, treatment was accidentally forgotten about twice, then postponed while I had 2 pregnancies back to back and I just started abnormal bleeding and bloody discharge. Made me wonder if my cells had gotten worse.

Smears have all been cancelled and despite my history dr said I have to wait until covid is over to have it checked out. But it takes around 5 years for the cells to change so logically it cant either since i was last checked in 2017. Sorry, I'm rambling haha.

I appreciate all your advice and suggestions. Thank you

[Donetrying1]

Hello OP
Just wondered how you’re feeling now?
I have exactly the same symptoms as you-and exactly the same anxieties!
Just wondered how things turned out for you?

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

Hi @Donetrying1 The right side of my chin is still numb and tingly. It go progressively worse the spread to my left chin too. So my whole chin is numb now.

After a month I started to get headaches every day followed by numbness in my arms and legs. This has calmed right down now though although I still feel it now and again. Also got flashes in my vision which stopped after a 6 weeks.

Dr made an urgent referral 2 months ago for neurology. But because of covid they weren't accepting referrals so had to wait 2 months.

Just recently had a telephone appointment with a neurologist. He said the headaches, flashes and numbness in my arms and legs are just migraines and not what's causing the numb chin. He thinks something is pushing up against the trigeminal nerve and has ordered an MRI.

I also realised I've had lumps on the back of my neck at least since March which I told him about. He said he will include this in the MRI which is on monday so hopefully it shows what has been causing the numb chin.

Have you been to your Dr about your chin? Is the numbness constant or intermittent?

[Donetrying1]

Hello again
So sorry to hear that you’re still no better.
I have had my numb chin for about a week now but previous to that l’ve been having numbness/tingling in my feet-also weird flashes in my sight and just feeling ‘not right’ l have complained extensively to my GP who puts everything down to anxiety!
She said she would refer me but this was months ago and l’ve heard nothing so although l can’t afford it l’m going to see someone privately in London on Tuesday-I’ll let you know how l get on.
I read the same articles as you about ‘numb chin syndrome’ and they were really terrifying as it didn’t seem to suggest it could be anything else but hideous cancers! I know l shouldn’t google stuff but sometimes it’s impossible not to!!

[Donetrying1]

Forgot to say good luck with your MRI
Please let me know how you get on

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

Wow that's awful of your GP!! First gp I spoke to was like that. When I phoned back and spoke to a different Dr she immediately started asking me if I had any cancer / tumour related symptoms such as lumps and rashes. She didnt offer blood tests until a week later when I phoned again with the numbness in my right arm and leg and after a face to face appointment made an urgent referral to neurology to 'rule out the bad stuff'.

I found a forum online where there are quite a few of us with a numb chin. Some on the forum have been active for over 2 years and still suffering with it. I can try find the link for you if you want. It's a very reassuring thread and everyone is lovely.

[Donetrying1]

The problem for me is l do suffer from anxiety but l have had lots of real medical problems too-which is why l’m so anxious! I had a heart problem diagnosed last year and a benign breast lump removed and because my parents died young of cancer l started to think the worse but every time l try to talk the GP it’s always ‘anxiety’ and l don’t think l’m ever taken seriously.
I know they say you shouldn’t google but at the moment with medical help so scarce l don’t know what else you’re supposed to do!!!!
Yes please if you could find that link I’d love to see it-the only things l can find are scientific papers about people with numb chins who were all dead within months!! I’m sure you’ve seen them too-not what you want to read eh?!

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

I dont suffer from anxiety but have had alot of medical issues, which has almost always resulted in poor care. I was referred to orthopedics due to chronic plantar fasciitis where, after an 8 month wait, was told nothing can help but surgery then referred onto a surgeon (another year later) who was horrified I was offered no alternative treatments.
I broke my foot and even the guy who'se job was to fit the boot took the 'I know best' attitude when I told him I couldnt straighten my foot because of the plantar fasciitis and forced it upwards, tearing it from the bone. So many more stories like that unfortunately.
I was the same as you, I only googled the chin because Dr's in lockdown were only taking urgent cases and I didnt know if this qualified because I had never came accross it before.
Dont worry too much about the articles you read online. I searched for hours for info about a numb chin that ISN'T cancer related. I'm at uni so even searched the uni library. There is info on other conditions but not very much. And I concluded the reason you only red about cancer cases is because it's so rare. Most of the info in the case studies are all from the same sources.
I'm putting the babies to bed now but I'll get that link after.

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

But yeh, I was freaked out when I first read about numb chin syndrome. They really should add more non cancerous literature to google 🙈

[flossletsfloss]

Do any of you grind your teeth? I get numbness in my face when I'm going through a heavy grinding phase.

[Donetrying1]

Thanks so much.
Your experiences sound pretty awful-we are taught to revere the medical profession but they do make mistakes.
Yes l got the idea that this thing is terribly rare so hopefully that’s in our favour but l am older than you with kids who are in their thirties so l suppose being older isn’t a great start!!
I just want to feel well again and every day l wake up hoping it’s all gone away but it never has-l think numbness and tingling is particularly scary though as it can mean so many horrible things!
I suppose we just have to try to be positive-but it’s hard especially when stuff just drags on and you can’t get your doctor to take you seriously.

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

I'm almost in my 40's, so not as young as wish I was I'm a mature student with DC in their 20's. Having another 2 babies a couple of years ago seemed like a good idea at the time

Here is the link, I hope it works. Nobody on the thread has had a cancer diagnosis yet which is very reassuring.

patient.info/forums/discuss/numb-chin-syndrome-667669?page=8&utm_source=forum&utm_campaign=comment-notification&utm_medium=email%25AppendToUrl%25#3722407

[Ispywithmycynicaleye]

@flossletsfloss I've never been a teeth grinder. All dental causes were ruled out at the dental hospital after x-rays etc. Interesting to know though that teeth grinding can cause numbness.

[ToughCustomer]

Greetings. I’m hoping all resolved well in your case. Any other info you’d be willing to share? My sibling is experiencing numbness on chin and lower lip. Lab work and CT have been unremarkable. Neurology appointment in a couple of weeks, but the waiting is tough (and, of course, most of the numb chin info online is scary).

[PEL2022]

Hello,

Did anything come of this?

Hoping to hear something positive!