I am interested in what you have just described as over the last three months I have developed win in my neck. I went to my GP when it started and he diagnosed me with stress an d prescribed valuim. I told him that he was wrong an did not take it. I have now seen a different GP who sys that C4 -7 joints are inflamed. I also explained that my mastoid on palpation is swollen and painful and I have a deep ear pain. She prescribed me antibiotics prednisolone and physio. Physio has rally helped support the brachial plexus and my shoulder is strapped. I am going to find specialist here in melbourne as I am here for a month or two. I hope to see Andrew Denks and tease out all that is going on. Definitely the inflammation in m spine has ecerbated the TN that I experience. Your comments confirm for me what I am upsetting and that is that the ear pain is not infection but is a result of the neck problem. However I do not understand where this has come from and if it s separate to my TN symptoms but all is not well currently.
I very much doubt that pain in your ear can be directly traced to a problem in the vertebrae of your neck. However, I have heard of occasional cases where nervus intermedius (geniculate) neuralgia responds to spinal manipulation. It has been speculated that this occurs because of slight shifts in the position of the trigeminal nerve or 7th and 8th nerves, which are involved in geniculate neuralgia. Inflammation in the cervical spine is much more likely to affect the occipital nerve distribution (rear quadrant of the head) than the trigeminal system in the face.
I can understand why a GP might prescribe prednisone, in an attempt to reduce overall inflammation and swelling that may be contributing to pain. But if you haven't had a noticeable reduction in pain levels within 2-3 weeks, then I'd suggest it is time for another appointment with this or a different physician. TN itself generally doesn't respond well to prednisone, even if pain in the spine generally does.
Regards and best,
Red Lawhern, Ph.D.
Resident Research Analyst, LwTN
Thanks Richard. In the last three months I have experienced rapid changes. I do not seem to be getting any relief at all. There is constant pain in my eye and across my cheek to my nose with frequent tearing. The ear pain is relatively new along with increased sensation in my mouth and twitching of the upper lip. But I am nervous about it all and alongside the neck pain it is hard to work out what is going on. Sp thanks for explaining the above as it helps me to understand. I think I have learnt so much from this website in the last 24 hours it has helped a great deal. I have downloaded the intractable pain book by Tennant and this is very informative with lots to think about including and most importantly working on a positive outlook
Evie, I'd like you to look up a type of headache syndrome called "SUNCT". It is more likely than TN to produce tearing, and it is treated with a different range of medications.
HI Evie,
I wanted to say that I experience the exact thing you are discribing plus alot more. I get the tearing along with alot of swelling in my eyes and face. Doctors at this point think that it is related to TN, possibly because branches off of the TN nerve can irritate GN and ON. My symptoms began 15 years ago and have gotten worse every month after. You can read back on my posts and see more of my symptoms.
So Sorry you have this pain. I wish you a pain free day, Tree