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Hello folks.
Please forgive the long post. I am trying to be as comprehensive as possible in hopes that someone out there can help me.
For about 10 years I have suffered with what is best described as constant facial pain. The pain is not sharp, but dull in nature. The discomfort seems focused on the cheek area, especially the upper cheek, but it is diffuse enough to extend to other parts of the face as well. And when I say constant, I mean 24/7 -- it never goes away. I have seen many doctors and health care practitioners of various types in different fields over the years. So far no one has been able to help. For a while I focused on a possible TMJ connection, but after seeing many TMJ "specialists" I concluded that was probably not the right path to pursue. I've had my TMJs scanned (the joints themselves), and they seem fine. I've also thought that perhaps nocturnal teeth clenching is the culprit, but I've gotten conflicting advice about that as a possible cause by numerous doctors. In any case, everything I've done to try to minimize any bruxism hasn't helped. I've also seen a couple of ENTs, and they didn't find any sinus issues or anything else that could be causing my pain.
For about that same period of time I've also had a dry eye problem. Unfortunately I was slow to diagnose this and assumed it was an eye strain issue due to my frequent computer use and therefore simply needed glasses. However, even though the glasses made reading easier, I was later told I was probably too young to need reading glasses. I'm 37 and have 20/20 vision. I am now fairly certain dry eye is a major contributor to my eye strain.
In addition to the dull pain, most of my face and head are highly sensitive to pressure. I have a very hard time wearing glasses of any kind, and hats are pretty much out of the question. Even ear buds can be annoying.
The pain is so bad that I have to take Elavil (amitriptyline) every day just to function. I hate how groggy I feel because of it.
I've stopped chasing after doctors and am now focused on my dry eye problem. I've recently seen an opthamologist, and he recommended three things: (1) apply TheraTears liquid gel to my eyes before bed, (2) take 2 Fisol fish oil soft gels per day, and (3) scrub my eye lids with Sterilid eyelid cleanser. He said the most important one was the TheraTears, since my eye lids probably aren't closing completely when I sleep.
Here's my question: is it possible that years and years of dry eye could have caused, or contributed to in a significant way, my facial pain?
At this point I am desperate to find a solution. This has had a devastating impact on my life, and I'm so tired of focusing so much of my time and energy on it.
Thank you for your time.
Please forgive the long post. I am trying to be as comprehensive as possible in hopes that someone out there can help me.
For about 10 years I have suffered with what is best described as constant facial pain. The pain is not sharp, but dull in nature. The discomfort seems focused on the cheek area, especially the upper cheek, but it is diffuse enough to extend to other parts of the face as well. And when I say constant, I mean 24/7 -- it never goes away. I have seen many doctors and health care practitioners of various types in different fields over the years. So far no one has been able to help. For a while I focused on a possible TMJ connection, but after seeing many TMJ "specialists" I concluded that was probably not the right path to pursue. I've had my TMJs scanned (the joints themselves), and they seem fine. I've also thought that perhaps nocturnal teeth clenching is the culprit, but I've gotten conflicting advice about that as a possible cause by numerous doctors. In any case, everything I've done to try to minimize any bruxism hasn't helped. I've also seen a couple of ENTs, and they didn't find any sinus issues or anything else that could be causing my pain.
For about that same period of time I've also had a dry eye problem. Unfortunately I was slow to diagnose this and assumed it was an eye strain issue due to my frequent computer use and therefore simply needed glasses. However, even though the glasses made reading easier, I was later told I was probably too young to need reading glasses. I'm 37 and have 20/20 vision. I am now fairly certain dry eye is a major contributor to my eye strain.
In addition to the dull pain, most of my face and head are highly sensitive to pressure. I have a very hard time wearing glasses of any kind, and hats are pretty much out of the question. Even ear buds can be annoying.
The pain is so bad that I have to take Elavil (amitriptyline) every day just to function. I hate how groggy I feel because of it.
I've stopped chasing after doctors and am now focused on my dry eye problem. I've recently seen an opthamologist, and he recommended three things: (1) apply TheraTears liquid gel to my eyes before bed, (2) take 2 Fisol fish oil soft gels per day, and (3) scrub my eye lids with Sterilid eyelid cleanser. He said the most important one was the TheraTears, since my eye lids probably aren't closing completely when I sleep.
Here's my question: is it possible that years and years of dry eye could have caused, or contributed to in a significant way, my facial pain?
At this point I am desperate to find a solution. This has had a devastating impact on my life, and I'm so tired of focusing so much of my time and energy on it.
Thank you for your time.
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