Face pain

[Eve]

I've got a headache and pain all down the left hand side of my face which seems worse in my cheek and jaw and have some ear ache as well.

Can't see any sign of an abcess in my mouth and had all my wisdom teeth taken out years ago.

It seems to have come on since I was fitted with some continuous wear contact lenses yesterday so taking them out to be on the safe side.

Anyone any idea what it could be and whether it could be related to the new lenses?

Have got a really important job interview on Monday and want to get rid of any problems by then :)

[Goodsoulette]

maybe its earache??? When I first had trouble with my ears I was certain it was my mouth.

[originalang]

Neuralgia? Do you have any swelling or difficulty in eating, could it be mumps? Don't think it would be your lenses, possibly the headache but not the other symptoms. Hope you feel better very soon and the interview goes well for you.

[Eve]

Lenses are out now so will see if that makes a difference. I have menieres which affects my ears, don't usually get this kind of pain but could be an infection or something due to the weather I guess.

Cheek feels a little swollen but had mumps when I was little so hopefully can't get it again. Eating ok :)

Thanks for the good wishes, keeping my fingers crossed big time though have been offered another postion too so at least all is not lost if it doesn't come through but would be an amazing opportunity. It's a 2nd interview with the head of the firm! Just don't want anything to ruin it :)

[MissHipflask]

It sounds like neuralgia (I get this); Neuralgia is a spasm or 'shortcircuit' of the trigeminal nerve (you should be able to find Google images of the path of the trigeminal nerve quite easily), an attack can often be triggered by heat or cold (eg eating icecream) or by almost any type of physical contact with the face, head or eye (eg having something touching or pressing on the face); the exact triggers are different for most sufferers, but the common feature usually seems to be some kind of stimulation of the trigeminal nerve; some people find they can't wear glasses, others can't wear contact lenses - some people (me!) even find brushing their hair can bring on an attack. If the pain feels like an electric shock that seems to form a 'roadmap' or 'lightening-bolt' shape down one side of your face, it's probably neuralgia.

You might want to see your GP but I'm afraid the only treatment is painkillers and avoiding whatever stimulus keeps triggering it for you. xx

btw good luck in your interview!