Cranial Neuralgia

[pinky36]

I have been off for work for 3 weeks with chronic sinusitus, had 3 lots of antibiotics but nothing has worked, been referred to an ENT specialist on 25th Nov. Recently been to see another doctor who thinks its something else - Cranial Neauralgia!

Any other sufferers out there, advice woul be welcome!

Symptoms

severe head pain left side

Severe facial pain left side

Eye pain left side

Jaw pain lt side

Mouth twitching LT side

Extreme tiredness

Triggers cold weather, walking about and jolting of head!

I have been referred to an neurologist which has worried me

From a very mumsnetter

doesn't cranial neuralgia just mean head pain? and that's why you've been referred to neuro?
hope the neuro or ent can give you an explanation and some relief soon - i'm sure the stress isn't helping... how soon are you seeing the neuro? i would have thought they would get you an appointment reasonably quickly to rule out nasties?

that sounded really abrupt- sorry! not meant to be - it's awful when you have a health issue and are waiting for dx and treatment 'in the dark' as it were...

Pinky - I've has something called trigeminal neuralgia which is similar to what you describe. Google it and see what you think. I was prescribed quite a strong drug - the name escapes me at the moment but it was an a med used in epilepsy. I didn't take it as the side effects were a bit scary and just continued to take fairly heavy-duty painkillers. Mine seemed to be triggered by cold and stress. It has settled now and I haven't suffered from it for some years

Romy

Thats ok, but yes it is horrible just waiting particularly when you have to wait so long, and its effecting my everyday existence! Its very difficult to focus when your in constant pain! Going back to see doc on monday about alternative pain relief and to have bloods taken! Got to wait till Dec 3rd till I see neuro, it seems a life time away particularly when ive had so long off work already!

that is a long time to wait, but i guess 'good' in the sense that they aren't too worried... have they signed you off until then?

sagger

Yes the doc mentioned trigeminal neuralgia. The doctor also mentioned the anticonvulsants perscribed for epilepsy, going on monday to discuss them! When you say side effects what do you mean, as have been taling codeine for the last 3 weeks and feel spaced out most the time and thats bad enough! Mine is also triggered by the cold, only have to go out the door and the cold worsens the pain, infact Im sat here on the laptop with a hat on now .

Romy

yes, i suppose if there really worried, they would rush it through! The docs signing me off for a week at a time, was going to go back last week but doc wasn't happy! So just taking a week at a time!