HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Neuralgia On Right Side Of Face

default
Posted on Fri, 26 Dec 2014
Question: I have neauralgia on the right side of my face which has made it look saggy. I don't like it. Is there anyway to make the side of my face go back to normal? Appearance is very important at where I work.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Trigeminal neuralgia should not cause facial sagginess

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Thanks for being on HCM.I read your previous discussions with fellow neurologists,and I can understand that you are very anxious about your looks.Your straight forward question here relates facial sagginess due to trigeminal neuralgia,and both of them doesn't go together.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a syndrome menifesting as episodic electric shock like pains in which each epidode last for few seconds only.There is no fixed muscle weakness in trigeminal neuralgia ,so as to cause sagginess.Only residual clinical feature can be pain,which can sometimes be persistent,rather episodic,but that too happens when the frequency of episodes is too much ,something like 20-30 episodes in 3 hours.Moreover,trigeminal neuralgia is a remitting and relapsing kind of disease,which responds well to medicine like carbamazepine and patients usually have symptom free periods intermittently which can last for months, even.

Sagginess is caused by asymmetry in the tone ,bulk and strength of muscles of face or jaw,if we talk with regards to your case,but trigeminal neuralgia is a disease which doesn't affect the muscles at all.So,neither logically nor in the clinical practice,it goes like that.
Rather,Trigeminal neuropathy that too,trigeminal motor neuropathy(and not trigeminal sensory neuropathy as you said you were diagnosed) affecting jaw muscles like masseter and pterygoids can cause facial asymmetry or sagginess,but uncommonly.
Bell's palsy or facial palsy in the clinical practice is the most common cause of facial sagging or weakness.
Sometimes,rarely, bell's palsy occurs along with trigeminal neuropathy,and if that is the case,we can have clinical features overlapping for both.
It's good that your MRI Brain has turned normal so that you don't have a serious secondary condition lying within and we are dealing with all that is primary.
Whatever the cause,your facial asymmetry will significantly go away with a proper physiotherapy training for facial muscles.So,be reassured and don't get tensed.
Still,if you find like,you can send your images so that i can give you a better opinion.And in any case,if you like to follow up or have any further questions,you are most welcome.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (27 minutes later)
I don't have trigmenial neuralgia. I have trigmenial sensory neuropathy and I have attached an image of the the side that has sagged slightly. Will it go back to normal even the bottom of my eyelid??? Or will I need surgery for it.

I've also attached closely an image of a before and after pic of my eye. The eye with make up is my eye before and without makeup is my eye now. It's widenened slightly
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It will significantly improve with proper physiotherapy

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thanks for being in follow up and sending the image.I saw the mild sagging you have.So far,as your brain MRI is normal,your primary diagnosis here whether it is trigeminal neuropathy(which it don't appear to be,rather a mild case of bell's palsy) or a facial palsy,will hardly affect the prognosis,if it is in a static course.

Please ensure physiotherapy of facial muscles with proper and technique and it will improve significantly or completely over a period of time,usually months.Amitriptyline will not help, unless you are having pain.So,you can stop it.

regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (14 minutes later)
Also the areas which have sagged when I touch it I can feel my nerve in my gum. It's like an over sensitive nerve. I'm scared the over sensitive nerve will stop it from going back to normal. I have micro current therapy done and it didnt make it go back to normal :(

It's been like this for 4 months
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It will improve, rest assured.. physiotherapy will help as well...

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
I can sense that you are tremendously anxious over the issue.Micro-current therapy would have helped much if pain was a significant complaint of yours. Since,it is the weakness of muscles resulting in sagginess,a fixed deficit,it is for the natural course of the human body to heal it and it will take its time,provided the stimulus is provided to heal it.

Providing stimulus as I said here is the key,its like ,a child can't learn alphabets unless he is taught or trained for it.Similarly,your facial muscles will start behaving normally(due to the sprouting or regeneration of the damaged nerve) and will be back in shape,once you will start giving stimulus to it and facial exercises and eyelid exercises are that stimulus.

Micro current therapy would have caused much improvement, if it would have been something acute like 'pain'.

In addition,over the time you can take some drugs to promote nerve regeneration like methylcobalamin and continue amitriptyline if pain is severe.

'Reassurance' and 'physiotherapy' are your keywords here and everything will be fine,including your sensitive nerve.Believe in yourself.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (13 minutes later)
How long will it take? This is because I have read online that for some people it never goes back to normal and its permanent for them. I feel like I may be one of those people :( I want to believe it will go back to normal but I feel like it will not happen for me. Its been 4 months also :(

Also, it isnt a proper bells palsy because I can move my muscles perfectly.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
In a few months but with proper facial exercises only.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
I am telling you on the basis of medical literature and my clinical experience that it will significantly or completely improve provided you do exercises.Keep out negative thoughts away.It may stay permanently if an individual want it to stay so(One who will not do facial exercises,it may stay).Be assured and have a will.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (4 minutes later)
Thank you. Did you receieve the photo of the side of my face with the arrows previously? Also, where can i go for the facial excersises?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes I received.To an expert physiotherapist.

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.Yes,I received it,saw it and all my comments are based after assessing you on that photo.You can seek an expert physiotherapist with good reputation,at a location near to you.Thanks.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 minutes later)
Thanks! One last question, with the facial exercises will my face go back to exactly how it looked before? Because I want it be exactly the same as before. Thanks :)

Also, sorry I am experiencing neuralgia in my teeth, what could be the cause of this? 4 months it has also been like this.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I said significantly or completely.

Detailed Answer:
I understand.You need a 100% assurance.But,from my end,I said significant or complete improvement.Figure wise-more than 95 percent people show complete recovery within 1 year.And these are scientific figures.I wish I could say 100%. But,I'm no God afterall.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (30 minutes later)
Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please visit a dentist.

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Every pain is not 'neuralgia'.'Neuralgia' means a pain whose origin is in a nerve.For your dental pain,please visit a dentist to exclude a dental pathology first.If dental examination is normal,please follow-up.I shall be glad to help you.Thank you too.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 minute later)
I went to the dentist it was normal nothing wrong with my teeth or gums
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Is it on the same side as your facial sagginess and sensitive nerve is?

Detailed Answer:
Is it on the same side as facial complaints or is it diffuse in all teeth or in some particular teeth?Is it persistent or intermittent?Are there any trigger factors like cold food,or touching or exposure to air?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 minutes later)
Yes it's on the same side as facial sagginess and it's constant
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is due to trigeminal neuropathy.

Detailed Answer:
Since the teeth are innervated by trigeminal nerve,in some patients trigeminal neuropathy can result in dental pain.

So,is the cause.You should have a trial of carbamazepine(sustained release) 200 mg twice a day along with methylcobalamin(of course under the guidance and prescription of your physician).It probably will, improve your symptoms.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 minutes later)
So i have trigmenial neuropathy and minor Bell's palsy?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Yes,that's the diagnosis.This combination is rare,but is known to occur.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ajay Panwar

Neurologist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 1827 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Neuralgia On Right Side Of Face

Brief Answer: Trigeminal neuralgia should not cause facial sagginess Detailed Answer: Hello dear, Thanks for being on HCM.I read your previous discussions with fellow neurologists,and I can understand that you are very anxious about your looks.Your straight forward question here relates facial sagginess due to trigeminal neuralgia,and both of them doesn't go together. Trigeminal neuralgia is a syndrome menifesting as episodic electric shock like pains in which each epidode last for few seconds only.There is no fixed muscle weakness in trigeminal neuralgia ,so as to cause sagginess.Only residual clinical feature can be pain,which can sometimes be persistent,rather episodic,but that too happens when the frequency of episodes is too much ,something like 20-30 episodes in 3 hours.Moreover,trigeminal neuralgia is a remitting and relapsing kind of disease,which responds well to medicine like carbamazepine and patients usually have symptom free periods intermittently which can last for months, even. Sagginess is caused by asymmetry in the tone ,bulk and strength of muscles of face or jaw,if we talk with regards to your case,but trigeminal neuralgia is a disease which doesn't affect the muscles at all.So,neither logically nor in the clinical practice,it goes like that. Rather,Trigeminal neuropathy that too,trigeminal motor neuropathy(and not trigeminal sensory neuropathy as you said you were diagnosed) affecting jaw muscles like masseter and pterygoids can cause facial asymmetry or sagginess,but uncommonly. Bell's palsy or facial palsy in the clinical practice is the most common cause of facial sagging or weakness. Sometimes,rarely, bell's palsy occurs along with trigeminal neuropathy,and if that is the case,we can have clinical features overlapping for both. It's good that your MRI Brain has turned normal so that you don't have a serious secondary condition lying within and we are dealing with all that is primary. Whatever the cause,your facial asymmetry will significantly go away with a proper physiotherapy training for facial muscles.So,be reassured and don't get tensed. Still,if you find like,you can send your images so that i can give you a better opinion.And in any case,if you like to follow up or have any further questions,you are most welcome. Thanks