I have TN and migraines and allergies. I have pain almost every day in my sinuses on either side of my nose (and into my forehead) but more intense on the left side of my nose. My meds work for TN pain but before diagnosis it was in my right lower jaw. Could the TN be affecting my sinuses and causing this pain? Has anyone else had this sort of thing happen? Maybe could also be sinus infection I guess. It’s a dull constant pain and not at all like my previous jaw pain. So sick of it. Thanks.
Hello Cj, I can’t vouch for us, but I think quite a few of us at livingwithTN have TN related to sinus conditions in some way. I had two nasal endoscopic surgeries for what was originally diagnosed as “chronic sinusitis,” and after the second surgery I discovered I had TN (I was living with TN for about 7 years before it was first diagnosed with TN…eventually I discovered the TN symptoms were a precursor to a diagnosis of MS.
I just discovered that dust allergies prevent running my AC, otherwise it triggers TN symptoms so severe I can’t even speak on the telephone.
I don’t know about your health issues, but it sounds like you need to do some serious dust-proofing of your home for starters, be careful of docs pushing antibiotics, and take precautions with Ear, Nose, and Throat specialists!. What kind of health specialists do you have helping you?
Hi Cj. I would start small. Try Advil Cold and Sinus (coated caplets not gels). This helps when my sinuses give me trouble. Good luck. Rose
CJ: I’ve had TN for 28 years, and sinus problems for almost 50 years. For me the sinus pressure affects the TN, just as severe weather changes can. I think it would be good to find a good otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) who has heard of TN and will be sensitive to any procedures that might be recommended for you. I have been having allergy shots for about 4 years and I think that helps reduce facial tissue swelling and sinus issues that exacerbate the TN.
Thank you all for your responses. I often have sinus pressure,I think, due to the weather. I live in a hot climate and during the summer often have pain so figured it is due to sinusitis. I usually take one benadryl at night and I think this helps a lot with my energy level but I still get facial pain. It’s annoying when it’s day after day. I will try and ENT I think to see what they recommend and go from there.
Hi CJ,
I went for many years being treated for sinus infections that would only affect one side of my face. Well, you can probably guess that they weren’t sinus infections. During one of those “infections,” the doctor did a CT scan which showed that my sinus cavities were absolutely clear. That’s when I got the TN diagnosis. I have found that sometimes when I have sinus pain I’ll develop TN pain and vice versa. One time after an episode with TN pain that lasted several weeks, I developed the worst sinus infection of my life. Again, it was only on the side of my face that is affected by TN, but it was a sinus infection that required a boatload of antibiotics. It felt like the right side of my face around my eye, nose and cheek were filled with hard cement. Awful pressure, awful pain and I could not produce a thing when I tried to blow my nose. That lasted about ten days so the entire month was a nightmare of pain.
Now, there are still times when the two seem to interract. I use a netti pot for sinus congestion and find that it helps tremendously. Have you tried that?
I did buy a neti pot and tried it but it didn’t help with the pain. The area we live in is not only hot but dusty as well and worse since the drought. We leave our windows open when the weather is nice so get dust continually. The sinus pain is mostly on the opposite side from where the TN strikes which is why I was asking the question regarding a connection. Though it makes sense there is some sort of association.
I am so glad i found this discussion. I have a head cold and my TN is so bad i can not even turn my head with out crying. Can not drink or eat. I am on Carbatrol 200 mg Three times a day. It has been working. So i am going to get someone to go to store and get cold meds.
I meant i am on carbatrol 200mg to capsules three times a day