Hi I am 42 yr. old female 5'5" 126 lbs. I have been having left sided facial numbness for about 7 months now. I feel it in my neck, ear side of my face forehead and jaw. I went to primary and he said it was from herpes simplex getting in to the nerve endings in my face. about 3 months after the numbness started I did get a severe out break of cold sore on my lips top and bottom left side only with burning of whole left side face. My question is I am still having these symptoms and i have been taking valtrex and tramadol how long will this last or should I consult a neurologist for further testing. My g.p. gave me refills for tramadol for a year could it take that long to go away? My blood work came back O.K. but i did have a 5.00 for hsv test but no signs of infection at the time of blood work. He said I have bell,s palsy but i thought that was paralysis on one side with drooping and so on.I have numbness comes and goes buring comes and goes i seem to feel it in my ear and jaw joint right now but there is something everyday that i feel and the numbness makes me feel tired but i still want to continue to do things i don't feel sick. Please let me know if this could be from hsv or something else? thank you. Laura