I will leave the question about MRI being useful in diagnosing Gn to someone who may have that information.
I fully “get” your description of the EarPain. Mine is similar but feels like someone is corkscrewing into my ear at its worst and like the blunt pencil you describe when it’s behaving.
Mine is not post Herpectic. I had shingles visibly two years safer the GN started. We do have a subgroup here under GROUPS for Post Herpectic TN, maybe someone there can help you out. You can have PHTN even when the Shingles is cleared up.it lingers about, the pain can last a good while in some members.
Thank you. Should I post this in that sub-group? And thank you for the kind welcome. Corkscrewing is a good description as well. Ice pick, which the doctors seem to use seems useless to me, as I always imagine an ice pick as a singular moment, because of the weight of the ice pick, it doesn't seem plausible to stay... like a downward pressure, and my shoulder is in the way... I know it is silly, as the concept of stabbing into the ear drum is the same no matter what device is doing the stabbing...
However I have to admit, that the steroid injections into the ear drum which WAS something entering my ear drum without any numbing didn't hurt as badly as the daily pain. (My hearing did return).
I will have to look up your profile. It is just nice to have a place with people who understand, and don't think I'm insane, or faking it, or wondering, thinking, it can't hurt that much...
Thank you!
I think posting this discussion in the PHTN group an excellent idea
And if you are insane, we all are here LOL