Neurological Disorders Forum - Facial nerve ? Drainage in Throat, Jaw, Ear + Facial Pain

Symptoms:

*Constant drainage from somewhere?? into throat and mouth

*Drainage tastes salty/sickly/like chicken. Strange, I know

*Cheekbone enlargement

*Mandible looks pushed forward and shorter on left side compared to right side

*End of mandible feels weird. Like nothing I've ever felt before.

*Jaw joint feels like it's full of fluid and I get fluid draining into throat and mouth when I open and close my mouth for extended periods of time.

*Ear feels "wet" inside and pops when I talk

*Drainage pushing into mouth when I roll my head in a circle and when I push my chin to my shoulder

*Major brain fog, memory, concentration, reflexes, facial expression and emotion and communication problems when drainage is excessive

*Pressure type pain in cheekbone and side of nose

*Get sick to stomach, feel like I have abdominal flu, sweat profusely and also get the chills and shakes when drainage kicks in from low/moderate to severe.

No dx thus for and it's been 11 years now.

I've seen several dentists, oral surgeons, ents, my gp, orthos and a neurologist. I've had an MRI done years ago, at least 5 CT scans of the head/sinus/tooth root areas, chest xrays.

I've been on many antibiotics, even the most powerful on the market, tried gabapentin for possible nerve problems, tried OTC sinus, allergy meds, ibuprofen, muscle relaxers, a mouth guard, a bite adjustment or two and nothing has put a dent in ANY of the symptoms.

I was referred to Mayo by the ENT that I've been working with for 2 years now to see a Neurologist. He said he thought I could benefit from seeing 3 types of specialists (oral surg, ENT or Neuro) He chose neuro right after taking me off the gabapentin....which did do anything for me.

My questions are:

Has anyone with facial nerve problems experienced any or all of these symptoms? If so, which symptoms have you suffered from?

Do you think I'm going to see the right specialist at Mayo? I get the feeling that I'm not.

When neurologists test for unknown problems in the beginning, do they typically start with an MRI and then a consult? Because that is all they have me listed as having done at Mayo. I'm becoming nervous about going there because I'm afraid they will shoo me off with no answers just like everyone else has done with me:(

Kristine

Users who thank painpaingoaway for this post: sweber

Replies(11)

Mollyhealth

replied on March 8th, 2008

New User

Strange draining from jaw

Wow you are the first person or Doctor that has ever heard of this. I have the exact symptoms and been to all kinds of specialists - I've had it for about 5 years. I remember a terrible pain in my cheek and then it seemed to drain continuously into my mouth ever since - anti biotics will make it stop but then comes back as soon as I stop taking it. I think it might be
coming from my sinuses? This year I've developed cervial spine dystonia on the same side as this jaw thing. I've kind of just gotten used to it - but I'm sure this can't be good. Lately - I'm starting to wonder if this might be a result of environmental toxins? Thanks for posting - I hope someone out there knows what it's all about.

818snoopy

replied on March 17th, 2008

New User

Samething wish we could get help

I have had the samething going on since October of 2007. I am very miserable. I have also seen doctors and dentists oral surgeons catscans and find nothing. dont know what to do .you find yourself going crazy over it

LaurieT

replied on June 10th, 2008

New User

same mystery problem

My mom has had this problem for a long time. We have no answers, except maybe allergies, but no relief. It seems to come and go.

Anonymous

replied on December 21st, 2008

really

I have the same problems. I find that xanax is the only thing that helps, so I assumed it's a nerve problem. I have pain in my left arm and chest and runs into the left side of my lower jaw when I haven't had a xanax. I have went to doc who said that it was not carpel tunnel and that I had a nerve in my elbow that did not have enough padding and there is little I can do about it. Sometimes I think I am having a stroke, but no one takes me seriously so I treat it with xanax. Now that I am pregnant I can no longer take it. 6 weeks in and I am miserable, not from morning sickness, but from the pain in my arm, face, and chest. I also suffer from allergies and often have drainage in my throat and liquid in my left ear. Maybe it my ears?!

Anonymous

replied on December 22nd, 2008

Jaw problems

Hi - I am finally starting to get better - I think. What turned it around for me was going to see a doctor of Otholaryngology (I never heard of it either) they specialize in sinuses. Well - mine did sinus culture samples (something ENT doctors should do) he cultured mold in my sinuses for about 1 year now - I've taken fungal meds for a year now and just starting to get rid of it - my immune system is shot from trying to fight it for so long so now I'm on IVIG - and who knows what has hppened to my brain or other oragans - because it spreads - I'm still working on it. I think this is a good direction to try - I had that taste, swelling, leaking sensation for 3 years and did everything you did - it's just starting to go away.

twinkie21

replied on March 14th, 2009

New User

Head pressure and drainage jaw

Ive had this problem for 4 years. It started with an acute chemical poisoning via liquid mineral supplements.
The post nasal drip was like a faucet, my immune system was activated and hyper sensitized by the toxins.
At the time I also had a tooth that got infected and I had electric shocks and a paralyzed feeling in my face.
I then had a set back I stared getting head pressure and jaw pain, puffiness, in my face, fluid build up, edema, when the mucus started getting more viscous and thick and stuck in my head, it would build up and stay there.

Really bad head aches finally I went on Birth control and it stopped the head pain by 75%. I then develped a new symptom, ear draining, in the morning or after I would eat, which I like because it relieved pressure. But the pill stopped working after a year. Went to a headache specialist and he did and MRI and an EEG, and he put me on Topamax 50 mg it took away the pain for 5 months.

I recent had a herpes out break on my gums in my mouth and on my lip after going to the dentist, and they filled my tooth and cleaned them. I took 3 g valtrex (which gave me a bad headache) I have not recovered since the valtrex, the herpes has gone away but my head is locked up again and my sinuses arent draining. Its been 25 days. The doctor said, to take Claritin!

This is such a set back. I wonder if it is herpes? I know I have responses to drugs that can sometimes last months.
But the topamax usually works now its not...
Im going to see the neuro on monday.

My advice to all is to go see a headache specialist that is a neurologist.

twinkie21

replied on March 14th, 2009

New User

Re: Jaw problems

Anonymous wrote:

Hi, Glad to see that you are doing better.
Are you still on the road to recovery?

I want to know how you found this doctor? If its working for you how can I find one???
How did you get to be put on Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and test for fungus in the sinuses. That is considered non conventional by medical standards.
Please give an update.
Hope you are better.

sweber

replied on August 3rd, 2009

New User

Helppp

I to have the same symptoms thank you so much for your posts, i know i'm not alone now. I've had for almost 20 yrs. I also have symptoms of when drainage is coming from jaw and cheek bone pooling is so hard it fills my lips and toung giving me a burning and numbbing sensation. When it is extream i find myself fase down with a rag trying to catch the drainage so I dont swallow it due to the severe adominal pain it causes. It also fills up behind my eyes making my tears like milk. I am going to ear, nose and throat spec. I'm going to ask him about the Intavenous therapy and test for fungus in sinuses. Thank you soooo much for all your posts. I will let you know how it goes.

kellysue999

replied on August 11th, 2009

New User

left sided horrible tasting drainage into mouth and down throat

hi. i have the same symptoms. i have been to about 10 ent's, but no one knows what this is. left sided drainage from jaw or soft palate into mouth and throat. horrible tasting, but can't see it or cough it up. ear pressure and jaw and face pressure. stomach problems from the drainage. burning on the left side of my tongue from the drainage, (because the drainage burns) left sided throat burn from the drainage. i have had this for almost 5 years. don't know how i live this way, i am always in pain, but pain is not so bad when the drainage is not so bad. tried antibiotics which relieves it somewhat, but comes back when antibiotic is done. does any doctor know what this is??? i need relief, i don't know how much longer i can take this. can anyone give me any advice. this is the first time, however that i have found anyone who comes close to my symptoms. everyone thinks i am crazy. doctors don't want to see me anymore. i have been to the university of pitts. ent and nuroligist. johns hopkins ent and oral surgeon. i have also been to about 20 different ents, oral surgeons and neuralgists. i have had cat scans, mri's, blood tests, and x-rays and they have all come out normal, but i know what i feeling and something is wrong. i just need a doctor who will work with me and help me find out what this problem is. its been a nightmare, actually. my life is on hold. anyway, need someone to talk to, to get this out. this is a good forum. lets keep writing so we all might work together in finding out what is wrong with us. thanks.

iamfrustrated

replied on September 3rd, 2009

New User

Wow, I'm not the only one! I've had this nasty fluid draining in my mouth for about two years. It all happened after I had a hysterectomy. At first it was hitting the nerves on the right side of my face, causing my right eye to always be red. Then my ear lobe, cheek and below my jaw would just swell. Antibiotics would help a bit. After, 2 MRI's and 2 CT scans and 2 surgeries, I am so frustrated that my ENT can't figure this out.

timeisshort

replied on September 3rd, 2009

Experienced User

I believe i can help you all, it's about nutritional balance, which doesn't mean you are living on junk or anything but knowing how to get the right minerals from foods & suppliments is not always easy.Theres a lot to know, so putting it all here is not what i'm willing to do if people arnt going to follow through, so heres what to do click on my user picture & search my posts Go research some of the areas that i recommend to check out & if you are willing to learn for yourself how to do this I am happy to show you how to get started. your reward will be relative to the effort you apply to your studies & research, i ask nothing of you in return, i simply want to share the things i have learned to enable my true health reform.
You can reply here or send a private message via this forum, found on the page where you select the posts.
God bless all.

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