Hi Tam,
I love your question! I cant diagnose you, but can give some thoughts an anxiety and then TN.
Its so interested you mentioned anxiety. I have TN, and have had major anxiety and panic attacks through my life- the mind and body are so close in hand. One certainly effects the other. It sounds like you may be having panic attacks with anxiety. You may have had anxiety- but didn’t know it- it comes and goes. Do you notice this happens more around your period? Prozac and Ativan can help immensely (I’m no Dr, but thats what helped me). I think this, because the fear (anxiety) of it causes burning in the cheeks- total anxiety symptom- you know, how people who have stage fright get bright red, and sweaty? Do you ever feel like you are going to pass out or get sick? Do you get cold sweats and find it hard to breath and get faint with ringing in the ears? Panic Attacks happen at any time from something that may have happend a long time ago. If you feel this coming on- put cold water on your face, head and neck and drink cold water, and sit on the floor. It will pass. You will not be injured or die from it!
It sounds like a great idea to see a therapist- I’m huge on this- because its so important to keep your mental health strong. If you are suffering from anything, emotional coping is the most important thing to focus on. What I’m trying to say in my codine effected mind- is, it certainly won’t hurt to see a therapist.
Of course, also, see a neurologist. That is very important to do to rule out or confirm a neurological condition. Diagnosis TN is tough and scary. I wouldn’t assume you have it, until the Neurologist tells you you do.
I was just diagnosed with TN in July, and am learning as I go. I dont know of a TNr who doesn’t have shooting/ electric pain. Most people have it on one side of the face (Its clear where the pain stops). My pain starts at my ear, shoots across the cheeks, into my gums and jaw, and sometimes into my eye and temple. Triggers are hard or gummy foods, breezes, yelling, laying down on my left side of my face, and sometimes, I dont know what triggered it. I am just know figuring out how to explain this to my doctors.
I just found this site that explain pain levels: http://www.tipna.org/info/documents/ComparativePainScale.htm
Also thoroughly read through the TNA site- Its the king of research for TN and Facial Pain: http://www.fpa-support.org/
These are good adjectives to use- what would you say yours are? How long do they last?
I thought I had burning pain- but now know its actually many sharp pains firing one after the other.
Constant – fixed, unchanging
Intermittent – coming and going at intervals
Sharp – causing intense distress, piercing
Dull – lacking intensity
Cramping – sudden, painful contraction of muscle
Superficial – on the surface
Deep – extending far down, within or outward
Aching – dull, persistent pain
Throbbing – to pulsate or pound with abnormal force
Crushing – to grind or pound with abnormal force
Localized – to fix or confine
Radiating – spread out and around from a center of injury
Stabbing – quick thrust sensation
Burning – feeling “on fire”
Draw a picture of a face and body- and put red marks where the severe pain is, orange where less pain is, etc. and draw lines from the marks to a note explaining what the pain is. This chart: will help you define the pain.
Some cool ways to see if you have TN are- TN doesn’t occur when you sleep. (Medical Mystery). Also, if your neurologist gives you an anticonvulsant, and it helps, then thats a big clue to TN.
An MRI will rule out MS or a tumor- very unlikely to have that.
When you have an hour to yourself- watch this AMAZING video of neuropathic pain- http://vimeo.com/10284243
Also, this is great- a diagnostic questionare: https://neurosurgery.ohsu.edu/tgn.php
I dont have an answer for you- but I hope the resources help! Good luck with seeing the dr’s asap!
Everything will be a-o-k.
