It was recently suggested by a cardiologist that my bilateral facial pain, which is usually accompanied by esophageal pain, could be lyme or erlichia related. I have already been examined by an ENT, a dentist, a GI, and neurologist. The neuro prescribed gabapentin but it helps a few days and then the pain is back. Up the dose and the same thing happens.
Is bilateral facial pain a known symptom of lyme disease? And if so, how do I find a legitimate doctor in or around CT that can either diagnose or rule-out lyme disease?
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
Can you describe the face pain? TMJ type of pain, neuropathy,spasms ect.....
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Yes, describe the pain and we can help you more. I had many types of facial pain when I had lyme and babesiosis and bartonella.
Look at this document, pages 9-10 for a good list of lyme symptoms. You will see the types of facial pain lyme and company can cause:
I had dental pain, burning jaw pain, trigeminal neuralgia (electric shock pain in one side of face), headaches, and bilateral facial drooping. All of this from lyme disease.
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
I second TF.
I also have classic TMJ issues that may or may not be Lyme related but certainly had a lot of the same facial symptoms TF mentioned. Very common.
I had/have/had/have Lyme, Babesia and Q-Fever. Not so sure about Bart.
Please post in Seeking Doctor for LLMD referrals in your area.
Posted by notadumbld (Member # 42582) on :
My facial pain in bilateral and constantly changing. It ranges from burning, to pulsating, to pressure, to aching - or all at the same time. It is almost constant during my waking moments. The pain is located anywhere (or at all of these) from my temples, above and behind my eyes, down my jawline, around my mouth, in my mouth, my chin, and down the esophagus. At times it's almost more than I can bear.
It is not sinus, not dental (no sign of TMJ disorder), and not typical facial pain since it's bilateral.
I was just told today by Massachusetts General Hospital neuro department that there is a Facial Nerve Center in Boston at the Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary which recognizes that Lyme disease can cause facial pain. I'm going to try to get in there asap.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Thank goodness the neuro you saw is knowledgeable about lyme but it would probably be a good idea to see an LLMD. You can get a recommendation on Seeking a doctor forum.
If it isn't borellia, it could be Protomyxzoa Rheumatica which also causes facial pain and tooth pain. I would think if you have borellia you would experience a worsening of symptoms every 28 days or so.
I had pain with most of the lyme infections but the PR nerve pain would make me scream. The lyme pain was aching, stiff joints or muscle cramping. The PR pain was all of that plus stabbing nerve pain.
Posted by Crawgir1 (Member # 40229) on :
I have had two episodes of Bells Palsy myself, the first one with my bullseye rash, the second one, six years later, was accompanied by severe facial pain before and after.
If I could go back and other than kicking the doctor that did not recognize Lyme disease (and gave me steriods), I would try to get on abx etc. ASAP, because my facial paralysis is still with me to some degree many years later.
Lyme disease really likes to concentrate on facial nerves for some reason, and can wreak havoc. Try to get help quickly if you can!