Really worried my mum has numb chin syndrome

[sorrymeagain]

My mum started last Friday with terrible pain from what felt like a mouth ulcer in her mouth. I looked in her mouth but couldn't really see anything but she felt that that she could feel a lump and still does. It then made her face go into incredible painful spasms which no amount of pain killers could help. Over the weekend it seemed to lessen and on Monday she mentioned it to her GP while having her annual high blood pressure review. Doctor thought it had probably been a mouth ulcer that was resolving. But on Tuesday the pain came back. Sounded initially like a neuralgia pain as the pain came in painful spasms. The worst of the pain has now gone but she is left with a numb chin. Made the mistake of googling and found numb chin syndrome. She is due to go back to the doctor but understand that numb chin is often overlooked. I don't want to worry her by telling her about this but not sure what to do. Didn't sleep a wink last night. Please can anyone tell me it could be something else.

What happens with numb chin syndrome? Is it going to make her ill?

Yes it is usually a sign of a secondary cancer...

Can you get her in to the dentist, if the original problem was mouth-related? I'd think they'd have more expertise in that area than a GP. A dentist Try not to worry, .

I would think the sudden onset of such severe pain would be more likely to Point to a less sinister cause of the problem, such as a dental abcess.

She needs to see a dentist, GPs aren't great with mouths.

Thanks for replies. Would you always be able to see an abcess.

Not if you don't know what you are looking for. I often find them in people's mouths and they had no idea

ok she visited her GP and you are right she wasn't very interested and said to see her dentist. She is supposed to be going on holiday with us tomorrow so I am really worried what to do. I don't want to make her anxious that there could be something more serious wrong. Should I just leave it a week and make sure she sees a dentist when she gets back or am I neglecting something? Is there anyway that this could be caused by teeth grinding and stress as she has been hugely stressed recently?

She ought to see a dentist before she goes on holiday. Are you going abroad?

No in this country but isn't currently registered with a dentist.

Look for an emergency OOH one then

Thanks a kissisnot. I should have said that the dr gave my mum some antibiotics to try. I am guessing if it is an abcess this would help. I have tried to persuade her to go to an oh but she is reluctant until we come back. I just don't know what to do. I cant really tell what the worst case could be at this stage can I? If hadn't googled I would never have known about this condition. Can anyone tell me what the normal protocol for a numb face would be please.

There could be another less sinister, but excruciatingly painful answer that fits with the numb chin too -

I've had trouble past with what turned out to be a recurring infection in a gland in my neck/ back of jaw - it was first diagnosed as an infection by A&E - no obvious signs,just horrific pain,head,neck,jaw face & left with a numb chin or cheek for several days afterwards

Basically it eventually did turn out to be dental related - a small pocket of infection left behind by wisdom tooth removal kept flaring up in my jaw bone, meaning the nearest lymph gland became swollen & infected too - pinching the nerves in that area - trigeminal nerve affects that whole region & can be extremely painful & cause numbness too.

It took my ENT specialist to diagnose the cause though, it's a rare type of infection so my keep getting it he thankfully took seriously - my GP didn't - it didn't show up on dental X-rays, but did on CT scan.

That said,it's harmless,antibiotics will help it a lot, as will Ibruprofen to reduce the swelling & therefore the pinching of the nerves.

Thanks Rockin. I am in such a state of anxiety. Supposed to packing to go camping but just can't stay away from google, which only seems to throw up terrible reasons for a numb chin. I don't know what to do she just wants to come on holiday with us and hope it gets better during the week but this is playing on my mind. Am I being irresponsible not doing anything. Would you tell your mum the possible reasons that I have found?

Where are you going camping? Why not look up emergency dentists local to where you will be staying so that if you need to you contact them quickly when away?

Yes that's a good idea but what if it is a form of cancer. Am neglecting it by not pressing for more tests before the following week?

I doubt they'd act that quickly even if it was cancer - thats worse case scenario BTW - its far more likely to be something far less serious - even migraine can cause symptoms like that & it doesn't always come with a headache - its called, "Silent Migraine"

It's your call, but personally I would go away, relax & let your mum enjoy her holiday :) & don't let your mind run away with you - the internet is full of worse case scenarios, but those cases are pretty rare & thers lots of less scary things its more likely to be - but theres no harm in having an action plan just incase of your mum suffering a flare up when you're away - nearest NHS dental hospital, Dentist, etc etc - if nothing else you can relax knowing you are prepared for the worst, which will probably never happen & just see her Doctor as soon as you all get back.

Thanks for that Rocky. I am such a state and my husband thinks I am nuts for checking on google. I will give my mum a good holiday. x

Thank you housebuyer. I have real problems with anxiety and not coping very well at the moment. My husband wouldn't listen to me so you are so very kind to have looked for me. He thinks I should stay away from the internet but I hope to reassure myself but this time it just heightened my anxiety levels.

I have numb chin had he done for a couple of weeks, dr google is freaking me out. What happened?

@lulutan this is a really old thread. BUT I've had numb chin syndrome since march 2020, still have it. Dont read google!! Only the RARE cases of numb chin syndrome are written about. The common ones arent. Cancer and tumours, although still possible, are very rare.

Because my chin went numb as we went into lockdown I only had google to tell me whether it was serious or not! Worst time of my life!!
Time is what let me know it wasnt cancer. I've since had an MRI and a telephone consultation with a neurologist, he thinks I have Functional Neuropathy Syndrome.

So dont panic, there are so many non scary conditions this can be.

Have you spoke to your GP? You should let your dentist know. Mine sent me for urgent x-rays to rule out jaw tumours/ cancer which it did! But worth getting that box checked.

Any updates?? I have terrible anxiety and have been experiencing what feels like numbness & numbness of lips & chin.

I have migraines that sometimes cause chin/ facial numbness.
I too made the mistake of googling and scared myself shitless!

There are so many less sinister things it could be.