What Causes Right-sided Facial Pain With Tinnitus And Blurred Vision?

Posted on Mon, 4 Jan 2016

Question: I started to have pain yesterday on the right side of my face/jaw which made it hard to move my jaw. It has now gotten so severe I am in tears, and it has extended to my head and neck and the pain is causing severe head pain (headache) facial/jaw and ear pain into my neck. i hear noises in my right ear, like cracking and ringing and some blurred vision. I feel nausea like I'm going to vomit. My right side is also numb and tingling and shooting pains all through my face and head and neck and into my ear. I feel horrible and the pain in unbearable now and I can't seem to find relief.
Plus my blood pressure is normally 122/77 and today it's at 166/99

Should I get to my family doctor or ER for this. I can't take much more of this pain and the it's continually getting worse. I can't feel my face on the ride side and it stems into the back of my head and the pain in all over my head and neck and face and jaw and into the ear. Plus the sound in my ear is getting louder and it's a constant sound. It doesn't stop.
Do I need certain meds for this? because the pain meds I'm using are not helping in the least.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
TMJ

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

I realize I answered your question earlier but if we don't answer this one it will stay in our que. I do think you have TMJ. This is the joint beside your ear that is responsible for opening and closing the jaw. It can get arthritis like any other joint and be extremely painful. The usual treatment is first pain control. Since you are having so much pain a narcotic like hydrocodone or oxycodone may be needed. Second an anti inflammatory like ibuprofen or naprosyn. Third a good muscle relaxant like robaxin or flexeril.

The real treatment though will be reducing wear on the TMJ. If you grind your teeth at night then I would recommend a bite guard. I would also recommend no gum chewing, reducing your talking and reducing food that are difficult to chew.

I hope I answered your questioned. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (21 minutes later)

Yes you did thank you so much.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
your welcome

Detailed Answer:
your welcome

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (18 hours later)

Sorry to bug you again, but i saw the doctor yesterday and he told me to contact an oral surgeon, that this isnt something he can help me with. However, he then tokd me to watch out for a rash that is sounds like shingles to him from the symptoms i described, as i described to you. Well i got no rash today, going on three days of severe discomfort and pain. He told me to take two aleve PM and rest. And if i woke up with a rash just come in to see him today for a anti-viral shot. Thats it!! Im so upset and hurting so bad i want to shoot my head off. I wouldnt do that of course, but thats how bad it hurts. I just want out of this misery doctor. What should i do? He also said the ER cant help me. I found an oral surgeon and he tells me i need to be referred to him. All this waiting while i sit and cry in pure afony. help!!

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Poor management by your doctor

Detailed Answer:
I agree with you that you doctor has managed you poorly. Since you are not getting pain relief and your doctor is not addressing this problem then I would recommend seeking another opinion and that would be either an urgent care visit or an ER visit.

I do agree with the oral surgeon as the answer for long term management of TMJ syndrome. The thought of possible shingles is not really a good idea and the treatment is not a shot but oral medications which he/she could have started if the possibly was high.

I can't believe your doctor treated you this way.

So I recommend going to ER or urgent care for appropriate pain management

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar