Electric Shock Sensation down one side of face.

[Danielle2419]

Hi all

Hope you are all doing well. I just wanted to ask for advice. Over a month or so ago I boarded a bus and banged my head on one of the ceilings within the bus, it was very minor and it seemed nothing much came from it. However up until recently about 3 weeks ago I started getting pain down the left side of my face starting from the forehead and stopping just around the cheekbone area, it almost feels likes an electric shock sensation and lasts no longer than 10 seconds at a time, recently they have been accompanied by a sensation at the back of the head along with down the left side. The pain down the face is caused by some head movements but not all the time and sometimes by sneezing or coughing however it seems to pick and choose when it wants to come for example I cough a lot but the sensation isn't happening each time I cough only just sometimes. I have Antiphospholipid syndrome but no history of clots. Just wanted some advice if anyone knows what this could be or if they have experienced anything like this. I have a Rhuemy appointment on the 20th Dec but need to settle my mind before then.

Thanks

Danielle

[Hidden]

To me this sounds very like Occipital Neuralgia or possibly Trigeminal Neuralgia but I would definitely ask a doctor ASAP - especially with APS. Horrid -poor you.

ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All...

[Danielle2419 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Twitchytoes

I did look this up however it seems to be less of that as its not really caused by food, brushing teeth or wind blowing around me. It also said its unlikely to affect people under 40 and im 25. Its a tough one I have no idea what it is caused by it literally lasts 5 to 10 seconds and doesn't even warrant for any painkillers, however I do have to hold my head and gasp like ouch!!.

Thanks for the advice though I guess its something to consider still as nothing is impossible.

[Hidden in reply to Danielle2419]

Sorry I realised wrong part of your face and had to look up the other one - Occipital neuralgia. There are atypical types of facial neuralgia too so I wouldn’t rule anything out. I had terrible daily headaches and nausea for 3 months and it turned out that they were caused by degenerative disc problems in my lower neck - which didn’t hurt at all.

With autoimmune diseases and knocks like the one you had I think the typical age guidelines may not apply. I really wouldn’t wait until the 20th - it’s not worth the risk. ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All...

[Danielle2419 in reply to Hidden]

Looked into that diagnosis above and that seems more of a fit, who am I though to play guessing games guess its a trip to the GP if I can get the time of work which is probably a no.

Thanks a lot for all your info twitchy toes it was really helpful.

[Hidden in reply to Danielle2419]

I don’t want to scare you but I think, bearing in mind the APS and potential link between occipital neuralgia and vasculitis, I would prioritise seeing a GP ASAP. Best of luck.

[Hidden in reply to Danielle2419]

“Localized inflammation or infection, gout, diabetes, blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), and frequent lengthy periods of keeping the head in a downward and forward position are also associated with occipital neuralgia.”

[Krazykat26]

Hi Danielle

Whilst we r not here to diagnose..I would agree with twitch that if u r having this symptom it's best to get it checked out..minor injury can cause major problems with us autoimmune folk!!

I would strongly suggest that u get checked by your GP xx

[Oshgosh]

I had something like this years ago,when I slipped and banged my face on a caravan wall.

Hurt for over a year on and off.doc said I had damaged a nerve.

Don’t get it anymore,thank goodness