? post-herpetic trigeminal neuralgia

[mazzywoo]

Hi all.
At the moment I am being treated at the hospital eye-clinic for yet another episode of ocular herpes simplex (with several different drops/ointments plus a short course of antiviral tablets).
Last night, I was just dropping off to sleep when I got a really horrendous burning pain down one side of my face, across the top teeth and bottom teeth on the same side. Being a grade 'a' hypochondriac, I was very frightened by this and imagined all sorts of worst ever scenarios. It went off after I took NSAID painkillers and it hasn't recurred (apart from an occasional twinge) today.
I had a look on the internet (oh dearie me-bad thing to be doing!!) and am now wondering if it could have something to do with the eye-virus as it's on the same side? There's something called post-herpetic neuralgia-maybe it could be that.
I can ask the doc in the eye clinic when I go for follow up tomorrow, but I would like to know if anyone has any knowledge of this because I still feel very nervous about last night's pain!
Thank you,
Maz x

[Sqad]

mazzy......you have and are being treated for....ocular herpes ...which is the same group of viruses that cause shingles which although usually affects the body, can indeed affect the face and eyes.

You are describing classical trigeminal neuralgia often associated with herpes infection,herpes zoster, but can also occur with ocular herpes simplex.

You did the right thing in taking a NSAID for the pain.

Keep us informed.

[bednobs]

poor you, trigeminal nueralgia is one of the most painful things

[mazzywoo]

Thanks Sqad and Bednobs. It was very scary as I know that heart pain can be referred into the jaw! I was a bit worried about taking the Valacyclovir tabs as they seem to have a list of side effects as long as yer arm so that increased the anxiety about the pain last night. And yes Bednobs-it was excruciating at the time-I'd rather give birth than go through that again.....um..but maybe not LOL
Sqad-I am so grateful for your reply (You've put my mind at rest somewhat!!) and will let you know what the doctor in the eye clinic says tomorrow afternoon. Maz x

[mazzywoo]

Hi Squaddles
I have just spent ages typing an update for you but goodness knows where it went LOL
Anyway, In brief, you were spot on with your reply. The pain was indeed Post herpetic trigeminal neuralgia which is very common during and after ocular herpes! The eye itself is settling down-keratitis and iritis both improving plus IOP now at 19. I have an appointment with the corneal consultant next week to discuss a treatment plan but I feel heaps better just knowing what caused that god-awful pain!!
Thanks again for your informative and helpful reply and have a good weekend!
Maz x

[Sqad]

mazzywoo...thanks for the feedback.....so important......even more so when my diagnosis is wrong ;-)

[jacpinetree]

mazzywoo i had same problem and my teeth and jaw was in terrible pain. After days of suffering and lots of pain killers i ended up at docs who prescribed tegretol for trigeminal neuralgia. The pain in jaw went but my tooth still felt weird. Back 2 docs who gave me more tegretol but i also made app with my dentist who put me on antibiotics as the tooth was fine but a bacterial bug in the gum. I'm now on metronidazole and am pleased to say seems a bit better but i have to finish the course and no alcohol. Hope this is of some help to you.

[mazzywoo]

Hi Jacpinetree
Sorry to hear you had this painful thing too! Yes, I have heard that drugs like Tegretol are sometimes used to treat trigeminal nerve pain. The eye consultant told me that if mine doesn't go, I can have 'heavy duty' meds but I would rather not unless absolutely essential and just take NSAIDs for it when it's bad.
I have noticed that I am only getting the oain when I am actually dropping off to sleep at night-how weird is that! I am hoping that the neuralgia will resolve when this episode of my eye condition clears up :)
Thanks so much for your reply-it's good to know that yours is on the mend!
Maz x