I have had irritation and symptoms associated with the glossopharyngeal nerve pathway (right side) since 2005, following a severe respiratory infection. A non-contrasted MRI revealed no apparent abnormality, but blood tests revealed high levels of Epstein Barr Virus antibodies, and I was diagnosed with post-viral CFS syndrome (and not glossopharyngeal neuralgia - despite an absence of gag-reflex!). There have been numerous partial remissions and flare-ups (often following a cold virus infection, or irritation of CN IX), since.
Recently, I have had another flare-up, again following a cold virus infection, but for the first time the symptoms have appeared on the left side (as well as exacerbation on the right), and were preceded by severe muscular tension in my neck and shoulder muscles on the left side, before tightening in the occipital area, and then the glossopharyngeal pathway symptoms began (pain and severe tension/constriction in pharynx, ear, and throat). The current severe muscular pain and tension in my neck and shoulder area seems way out of proportion to any possible cause by activity or injury. I recall that my right-sided glossopharyngeal problems were also preceded by pain in the neck and occiput.
I am currently awaiting results from a contrasted neck and brain MRI, and I am going to ask for a blood test for EBV antibodies tomorrow. I am wondering whether the current neck and shoulder muscular problem is related to the CN IX symptoms, so my question is whether EBV is known to cause such bizarre and severe muscular pain arising from an irritation of specific nerves, and in particular, nerves which have been under stress (e.g. CN IX during a cold infection, or shoulder/neck muscles following moderate but non-injurious activity)?
David