I have to cling to my humor and upbeat ways, so I try to laugh at ATN sometimes.
Frequently at night I have what I now call Zombie Face. The corner of my mouth tingles numbly, like I’m coming out of novocaine; the front of my chin has a sharp burning pain, only in a tiny area; the normal dull, constant pain from chin to ear is there; the right side of my face throbs with a heartbeat; my molars feel like they’re steadily moving out of my gums, millimeter by millimeter while the rest of my teeth flash with annoying pain.
Sound familiar? I call it zombie face because doesnt it seem like most zombies are missing this very area of their faces, from chin to ear, above and below the teeth, exposing them? That’s how I visualize it.
Plus it makes me smile a little. Anyone else get Zombie Face?
ha!! made me smile as well...
Hey Pjunge11 I so understand what you are talking about. And love the face you have found the perfect visualisation for it. I also have TN 1 and this will happen after an attack most times. I has always driven me crazy when i try to describe this to the DR's. I think if you have not had the unpleasant experience then understanding it is hard. I wish sometimes that a DR had to experience what you do just once. Especially when they look at you like your crazy as you explain. Or better yet tell you that is not part of your illness. I really hate that one. thanks for a great topic to make me smile. God bless from one zombie face to another.
I also beleive that if you dont have ATN or TN it is really hard to explain to loved ones or friends...I gave up trying to and for many years used ""Migraine"" as an excuse to escape....what I found most disgusting though was Drs attitudes.....1 Doctor even said it was all in my mind and I just wanted drugs because I was an addict....I swear to God if I wasn't in so much pain that day I would have swung for him.....This was all before I was diagnosed with ATN...I was in despair.....I had no idea that something could knock you sideways like this...and then to be told it was all in my mind..and to go away because he wasn't giving an addict any drugs....He needed striking off....but that was when I lived in France....so what did I expect......and after a french dentist had drilled my trigeminal Nerve...If only I knew then what I know now !!!xxxx So I am a zombie face as well....you are not alone xxxx
Hi
This made me smile, I hear exactly what your saying except its not my chin but my tounge. I used this description to explain to someone today how it felt. Thanks for making me visualize my pain ;-)
Glad to be of help :)
I'm a writer and part of my self-prescribed therapy is trying to describe what I'm feeling physically with words.
Zombie faces unite!