Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: pamabz on July 01, 2020, 11:12:09 AM

Title: Face and Head Pain
Post by: pamabz on July 01, 2020, 11:12:09 AM
Hello everyone,

Is there anyone out there suffering face and head pain and do you think it could be menopause related? I have various symptoms but the worst ones are jaw pain (TMJ has been ruled out by Maxillofacial Consultant), temple pain, dry eyes, burning mouth syndrome especially the tongue, headaches (migraine level when at its worst), a feeling of my head being crushed, shooting nerve pain down the jaw and around the nose, earache, etc... Sorry, the list is endless but it is very specific to my head, mouth and face.

Everyone I've seen (GPs, Neurologists, Maxillofacial) believe it is the trigeminal nerve causing the problem and no link to the Menopause, although they do believe the Menopause may have triggered something underlying.  However I have the pain both sides of my face (not one side common to TN), all over and sometimes all the symptoms at the same time!  :'(

I'm on nerve meds and HRT.  I can't help feeling that hormones are playing a big part in all of this and wondered if anyone on this forum had or is experiencing the same thing?  I've searched endlessly for answers, on what could be causing this and if there is a more effective way (natural preferably) to treat/control this or do I just need to accept that this is what life is all about for me now? (I'm struggling to get my head round that!)

Would love to know if anyone has any experience of this and any suggestions as to how to manage this?
Thank you X 



Title: Re: Face and Head Pain
Post by: jaycee on July 01, 2020, 11:37:14 AM
It might be fairly obvious but has a sinus infection been ruled out,i get all of those with it, even in my gums ,except for the burning tongue, but have had that in the past
Title: Re: Face and Head Pain
Post by: pamabz on July 01, 2020, 12:03:29 PM
Hello Jaycee

Thank you for your response, yes sinuses were ruled out by a CT scan back in January as I do get what feels like sinus pain so Maxillofacial Consultant sent me for CT, it showed a slight thickening on the left side (which is the side all the pain started and also the worst side most days) but nothing to warrant any treatment or cause the pain he said.  So I was back to square one  :-\

I can't even do yoga as the pressure and pain in my face when I bend forwards is ridiculous.  I just can't help feeling there is an answer out there so really appreciate you coming back to me, thank you X
Title: Re: Face and Head Pain
Post by: CLKD on July 01, 2020, 12:13:41 PM
Have you had a cervical spine X-ray?

Neuralgia strikes suddenly and is very painful.  There is no warning  :-\.  It would floor me and I dreaded the next attack (1990s).  No idea what triggered it but it went on it's own.  However, it did return briefly after dental treatment 3 years ago.  I remain aware of area of the nerve like a bruise .

Title: Re: Face and Head Pain
Post by: lambi on July 01, 2020, 01:31:12 PM
Hi, I really recommend cranial osteopathy and Bowen treatment. About 5 years ago when my peri symptoms started, I was getting jaw ache, head ache, burning ear, numbness in face. Doctor suggested it was trigeminal neuralgia and prescribed amitryptiline which made me feel so nauseous. I was desperate to find a natural remedy. The osteopath said that she wouldn't even be able to touch my face if it was TN, she thought it was TMJ. I realised that I clench my jaw a lot. it's been flaring up again lately as I haven't been having my regular Bowen sessions. Mine is definitely hormone related. I've just switched hrt so hoping that will help too.  Good luck and hope you feel better xx
Title: Re: Face and Head Pain
Post by: pamabz on July 01, 2020, 03:36:37 PM
Hello CLKD and Lambi,

Thank you both for getting back to me, much as I hate to think other people are experiencing this it's some comfort to know I am not alone in this. Jaycee, I feel for you going through the same thing as well, it's debilitating as it's worst.

CLKD - no, I haven't had a cervical spine X-Ray, it's never been offered to me. To be honest, I don't get the feeling that any of the medical field is taking me serious enough to warrant it.

Lambi - funny you should mention holistic treatment, I started Accupuncture just before lockdown happened and I do think it was helping but I only managed to get 4 sessions in before it had to stop.  I'm not convinced it's TN either (and neither was the PT) so I was hoping the Accupuncture would help me get off the meds.  I was prescribed Amiltriptyne too and I'm now on Pregabalin and Oxcarbazepine and desperate to get off them but I'm too scared to try without some form of replacement, that's definitely a mental battle for me!

Can I ask, do you have sore pressure in your face when you bend forwards ie. to tie shoelaces and does it come and go? you get a few days when it feels better and then bang, the pain is back and you have it for days on end?

Thanks again xx