My TN/ GPN had been in remission, mostly, for nearly a year. Yesterday morning, though, I started to get a tickle in my nose, like I had a dog hair in it (a feasible thing in my house). It has not let up, though, and it’s gotten a lot worse. I slept fine, but the moment I woke, the itch began again.
I thought I was coming down with a cold, but I have no other symptoms except a wildly itchy and very runny nose. Its so bad that I have had to resort to nose tampons made of rolled up bits of paper towel, which I mostly have to use in the right nostril. It pushes on the area that itches and reduces the itch. If I take it out, though, the itch starts again in earnest, and I start sneezing uncontrollably.
I, too, get itchy nose and uncontrolled sneezing. It is my left nostril that drips constantly, and to even dab at it can trigger a TN strike for me. To be in the midst of a strike and have to sneeze is unbearable. I spoke to MD about the constant drip from left nostril only…which started BEFORE TN really hit and diagnosed. No MD or neuro has ever shown concern or thought there is a connection. I do. My last TN strike, a couple of days ago, happened while gently blowing my nose. It was the mother of all strikes and affected my entire left side of face and head. I could not speak. It was paralyzing, lasting several minutes. I upped my gab and oxcarbazapine figuring my levels were low since I had recently reduced doses. I just had uncontrolled sneezing that went for 37 in a row. Husband counted. Not funny. Just wanted to tell you that you are not alone. I wonder about the nasal drip/sneeze/TN connection. Anything to solve this debilitating dilemma!
Funny, my TN/ GPN has been in remission, but I’m starting to feel pain in my right ear again. Sounds like they really are related. I do seem to have a mild cold … just swollen sinuses, really. But while I have had an itchy nose from time to time with a cold, I sneezed and it went away. Now I’m getting a watery eye from the constant nose itch, and I can’t stand my hair on my face. Just sensory overload all the way.
Btw, I can’t imagine sneezing 37 times in a row. That’s horrible!