7th Facial nerve problem?

[IanJ]

Hi all,

I was at my dry eye specialist last week and on talking about my lacrimal gland problem in my right eye I mentioned to him that when my eye gets dry & sore it actually seems to spread down my face so that my cheekbone is sore and I kinda get toothache on that side.

He said that I need to go see my doctor and get my "7th facial nerve" x-ray'd etc.

On googling this I was very surprised to see the following in regard to it:-

Quote:-
7th Facial Nerve problems - Symptom No. 3 - Tear tests: The loss of the ability to form tears may help to locate the site and severity of a facial nerve lesion.

Any comments?

Ian.

[indrep]

Ian,
Your doctor is correct. In looking at dry eye disease you must understand that the lacrimal glands have sensory nerve fibers, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers. Typically secretory glands only have Sensory nerve fibers and the lacrimal galnds are the only secretory gland with all three nerve fibers.
This contributes to the overall complexity of the disease. After a period of time the sympathetic nerve fiber can actually atrophy or go away. So you lose a nerve sending signals to brain on what is taking place with the gland and the gland loses a nerve telling it what to secrete.
That nerve does run to your mouth and nose along with lacrimal glands.

[Lucy]

After a period of time the sympathetic nerve fiber can actually atrophy or go away. So you lose a nerve sending signals to brain on what is taking place with the gland and the gland loses a nerve telling it what to secrete.

This, perhaps, through injury or a disease such as Sjogrens which can affect nerve fibers? Indrep and Ian, you have just added something new to my "eye vocabulary."

I heard the term "sympathetic nerve" when I was in Boston being fitted for Boston Scleral Lens.

Lucy

[IanJ]

Well, I have an appointment with my GP 9am tomorrow morning......we'll see what he says.

Hmmmm, just wondering if this is something that can be fixed.....I read on the web that some lesions can be repaired.

I never thought that my DES would twist and turn in this direction!

Ian.

[Judy]

Very very interesting indeed. IanJ, please let us know if you learn anything new from your GP and best wishes!

[brd888]

Damaged

Ian,
Surely if the nerve was damaged it would be sore all the time? Maybe it is like sciatica where something is putting pressure on the nerve causing deferred pain?
Im speculating but maybe pressure caused by something related to your dry eye is pressing this nerve.
Cheers,
Bruce

[IanJ]

My dad has nerve problems at the bottom of his back......and it causes him pains on his calfs.......but it does come and go, on occasion he is pain free, on other occasions it's really sore.
He got an operation last week to relieve the tension on the nerve (it was rubbing against a bone in his back) and he's getting better.

Well, I'm back from my visit with my GP this morning and he was a good bit tentative at first.....I had to really press on him that my eye doc was adamant I "must" go get the 7th nerve looked at. My GP said that he wasn't sure they could do anything about it......but would refer me to a Neurologist and we'll see what happens.......but he did mention the waiting list is looooong.

Thing is.....my eye doc says this is a dental issue......not a neurology problem.

To be continued........

Ian.

[IanJ]

UPDATE:-

Went to the dentist today. He listened to me and took x-rays.......the wonder of private medicine = the x-rays I was able to view seconds after on an LCD monitor.

End result was that he didn't reckon I had any facial nerve problem, certainly anyway there was nothing wrong with my teeth, gums, jaw, sinus....that sort of thing.....and he did seemed to know about how all the nerves.
However, he offered to refer me to a private hospital where the could do some nerve tests and stuff......of course I accepted. Consultations are cheap so we'll see how it goes.

My eye aches...a bad day today....

Ian.

[Lucy]

Ian, glad to see you follow up with the nerve issue. Please keep us informed. I think there is much denial in the medical field about such pain because they "can't see or explain" it.
Lucy

[Danny_]

UPDATE:-

Went to the dentist today. He listened to me and took x-rays.......the wonder of private medicine = the x-rays I was able to view seconds after on an LCD monitor.

End result was that he didn't reckon I had any facial nerve problem, certainly anyway there was nothing wrong with my teeth, gums, jaw, sinus....that sort of thing.....and he did seemed to know about how all the nerves.
However, he offered to refer me to a private hospital where the could do some nerve tests and stuff......of course I accepted. Consultations are cheap so we'll see how it goes.

My eye aches...a bad day today....

Ian.

Ian, glad to hear you are pursuing this. The pain spreads down my face also so I'll be very interested to know how you get on. I already know I have another problem but I might have this also. Hope you find the root cause!