I've been reading that most call it facial pain, but mine isn't on my face at all. Mine is always on top or side of head. It feels like shooting pains of electric every couple of minutes and has continued all day. Then my scalp feels bruised and sensitive to the touch in that spot afterwards. It'll happen for a few days then may not occur again for a month or so. Even does it at night while I'm trying to sleep sometimes. Always occurs in different spots in head. Not sure of what triggers mine. Could stress? Seems to leave me very tired also.
OMG! Does it jump around at any given point in the day? Does the type of pain range from stabbing to electric to constant, or even to pressure in or out of your head?
Have you ever felt it on the outside when you grab your head in agony?
I've definitely experienced this with my TN.
From what I understand, the trigeminal nerve starts around the base of the head, near the neck, and then branches up the side of head, around the ear and then just past the ear, it branches out again in to three separate branches.
One branch goes upwards and ends near the top of your head.
So yes, in my opinion, and from my own experience, I think this could be TN.
I found a really good picture that shows, in yellow, where the nerve run and branch out, and as you can see, it definitely is in the head area, both, back, front and in the sides. I'd go to the Doctors and see if they can offer any help. Good luck and I hope you find some relief. :) x
Very good information. Thank you.
Amy, while I do have stabbing electric face and ear pain (less often than I used to thanks to Tegretol), MOST of my daily ongoing pain is what you describe. Fortunately, OTC migraine meds usually lessen most of the head pain (and occasionally vodka ;-)) Best of luck finding what works for you!
I will definitely look into Tegretol. Many have mentioned this. And though I don't drink...I may be tempted if you say vodka helps :)
Yes, sounds exactly like it!
StephasaurusRex said:
OMG! Does it jump around at any given point in the day? Does the type of pain range from stabbing to electric to constant, or even to pressure in or out of your head?
Have you ever felt it on the outside when you grab your head in agony?
Hi Amy..I'm no expert and I am sure you will receive more input from others..So, I am just putting this out. Trigeminal Neuralgia is a problem with the 5th cranial nerve..I think the illustration above is of the 4th cranial nerve. (note the roman numeral "iv" in the blue triangle). Your occasional episodes suggests TN but maybe it is a problem similar to TN.. Pain that persists 50% of the time or more, is generally referred to as TN2. My TN2 pain lived with me nearly all of the time. I was always on meds. So far, my recent MVD surgery is working.
When you say, "Mine is always on top or side of head", perhaps it is because the problem is with the 4th cranial nerve. If you look at the thin yellow pathway to the left of the red section, it runs from the side to the top of the head. This might explain why the pain doesn't run down the side of your face. Don't forget, I am guessing; the diagram is a little confusing.
If you look at a diagram of the 5th cranial nerve, you will see that it comes from the top of the head then branches out to three areas; roughly, 1. below the eye, 2.across the cheek to the upper lip. and 3. down the side to the jaw, to the lower lip and to the gum area,as described by redkitty. I don't recall hearing about TN pain that did not follow at least one of the three pathways of the 5th cranial nerve.
At times,I could barely touch the 5th nerve at the top of my head without feeling pain all the way down my face. Sometimes, the pain would show up under my gum (initially resulting in a mis-diagnosis of dental problems). Over the years, my problems mostly turned up along the lower two nerves. I rarely experienced the shocking bolt of lightening under the right eye. But when I did, it was devastating.
So, there you have a few thoughts. Someone will probably write in and tell you I am all wrong. That's the beauty of our community; lots of experience and knowledge. But whatever the case, I recommend you see a neurologist. Before you do, gather up as much info as possible from the site. Prepare for your appointment. The more knowledge you have, the better advocate you will be. Be polite, be firm but don't let them push you around. ha ha..good luck.