Pressure/pain in nose & upper teeth

Posted by tzachi121 @tzachi121, Jul 3, 2023

In the last few years i am suffering from feeling of strong pressure inside the right side on my nose . Sometime also in the front upper teeth .
Intensifies during physical activity . After few minutes of laying down it almost disappeared.
I have also many time thick back nasal drip only on this side
Visited : ENTs , dentists , neurologists, mouth & jaw , alergy specialist . Did CT , did Fess surgery .took variuos neurological medicines , antibiotics , telfast . Nobody know what it is .
I can point to an area inside my noise that seems to be the focus of the pressure .
Any idea ?

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@smithakar

Hello,

I have been dealing with extreme nose & upper teeth pain the past 1.5 years. The pain is constant and effects my everyday life. It started 2-3 weeks before I tested positive for Covid so I am not sure if this is related to Covid or a separate issue. At first I thought it was sinus related so I went to ENT. They checked my nose & did a CT scan and didn't see any signs of sinusitis but because I had a deviated septum and other structural issues they decided to do surgery. I had relief for 6 weeks post surgery but then the pain came back. The ENT doctors do not believe this is sinus related. When I went to Neurology they ruled about Trigeminal Neuralgia and other neuro issues because my pain is usually bilateral. I have been to the dentist, a TMJ specialist, rheumatologist I have done several nerve blocks, taken steroids, antibiotics, acupuncture, ayurvedic meds, pain clinic, everything you can think of. I am a patient at Mayo and when I visited MN as a long covid patient I did get some suggestions but those aren't working either. Is there anyone that relates to my issues?

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...sorry if I am misunderstanding the problems you are having and I sympathize with you as also have odd pressure pain and such in various areas of my head; one thing I had for years was a filled large top molar that wasnt really a toothache but almost as if the tooth were "wooden" peg in gum, hard to explain.. anyway it wasn't until I changed dentists and got copy of my patient file from former one, it sat around for a year and one day decided to read it with my limited knowledge of dentistry and was shocked to find out that this tooth i had and have been complaining about has root into my sinus cavity; I mentioned to hygienist one time when getting teeth cleans and she said its only a prloblme if you have to have the tooth out: and I read about those problems and and so upset and can need a bone graft etc. etc./infection and such yet both dentists never told me about this issues! Sometimes its not painful but "hurts" and now I know why - is it at all possible that your pain is from a molar root??Just an idea.. hope you get some help sooner rather than later! J.

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@smithakar

It is very horrible 🙁 I have lived with pain for 1.5 years now and it never stops. They said I don't have trigeminal neuralgia since my pain is bilateral and I don't have sharp pain in my cheeks. My pain is mainly my nose and upper teeth but some days it hurts so bad I feel it all over my face. I have tried a trigmenal nerve block, sphenoganglion nerve block, Lyrica, carbamazapem, gabapentin and none of them work. They aren't sure what is going on. First they thought sinus issues then nerve now long covid complications. I keep getting bounced around. I just wish something would relieve the pain.

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I am so sorry. It just seems horrific. My Tri.neur. is killer— but at least mine is under control. Sending My support !!!

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Hi @smithakar, welcome. I just wanted to let you know that I merged your 3 newly started discussions into one discussion that appears in the ENT support group and the Post-COVID Recovery support. I did this so that your concerns are found in both relevant support groups, but you only have one discussion to follow and gather perspectives from many members.

See it altogether here:
- Pressure/pain in nose & upper teeth https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pressurepain-inside-my-nose/

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@smithakar

Hello,

I have been dealing with extreme nose & upper teeth pain the past 1.5 years. The pain is constant and effects my everyday life. It started 2-3 weeks before I tested positive for Covid so I am not sure if this is related to Covid or a separate issue. At first I thought it was sinus related so I went to ENT. They checked my nose & did a CT scan and didn't see any signs of sinusitis but because I had a deviated septum and other structural issues they decided to do surgery. I had relief for 6 weeks post surgery but then the pain came back. The ENT doctors do not believe this is sinus related. When I went to Neurology they ruled about Trigeminal Neuralgia and other neuro issues because my pain is usually bilateral. I have been to the dentist, a TMJ specialist, rheumatologist I have done several nerve blocks, taken steroids, antibiotics, acupuncture, ayurvedic meds, pain clinic, everything you can think of. I am a patient at Mayo and when I visited MN as a long covid patient I did get some suggestions but those aren't working either. Is there anyone that relates to my issues?

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Hi @smithakar. I just saw ent for my pressure/pain head and especially face. They also saw slight area of deviation but felt per my dealing with this also over year and a half, using cpap for covid created apnea, and now hypersensitivity to meds, paper cut, activity/movements surgery not warranted until other noninvasive things tried. Hope you can find healthcare provider in your areas of care that can suggest alternatives to help and possibly refer to another specialist to rule out/provide healing to you🌈

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You could have sustained a nerve injury from FESS. Can you touch the painful area? Does anything appear red on endoscopy?

I have been dealing with this for 7 years and was recently diagnosed with low testosterone which plays a role in the way the brain processes pain.

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@carterbeauford

You could have sustained a nerve injury from FESS. Can you touch the painful area? Does anything appear red on endoscopy?

I have been dealing with this for 7 years and was recently diagnosed with low testosterone which plays a role in the way the brain processes pain.

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@carterbeauford
Have you been recommended to treat anxiety/depression?

Any ongoing pain has an anxiety/depression component which also amplifies how the brain processes pain.

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@nrd1

@carterbeauford
Have you been recommended to treat anxiety/depression?

Any ongoing pain has an anxiety/depression component which also amplifies how the brain processes pain.

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Of course, I have suffered from anxiety and depression for 15 years, likely due to declining testosterone levels.

Antidepressants in high enough doses to be effective cause excruciating jaw inflammation which makes the facial nerve pain worse. I even tried transcranial magnetic stimulation. Nothing works. I am going to treat with low dose testosterone replacement therapy in a week.

OP likely has a peripheral nerve injury made worse by the way the brain is processing the pain.

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I've had two doctors independently recommend Dr Guyuron, a plastic surgeon who does intranasal work. I see him in 6 weeks to see what intervention he can offer at the site of the neuroma or the nerves that pain is being referred to.

https://drbahmanguyuron.com/
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Try rinsing with cold saline solution. Keep it in the fridge. Also ask your ENT to soak your nasal passage in epinephrine. I suspect our pain is vascular. Epinephrine gives me some relief for a day or so.

https://tivichealth.com/product/clearup/

I don't know if this would work for a peripheral nerve injury but would be curious if someone tried it.

I am not a doctor but have seen 60 of them and the closest diagnoses I could get are low testosterone mediated central pain syndrome and traumatic trigeminal neuroma and vascular neuroinflammation and inflammatory cytokine release.

Curious if you suffer from any other neurological or psychiatric symptoms related to constant stimulation of your peripheral trigeminal nerves.

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Dear Fellow Allergy/Sinus Sufferers: I empathize. Here are some suggestions that have helped me:
1) Try irrigating your sinus to see if that helps. Keeping bacteria down if you are prone to sinus infections will help to prevent one sometimes. You don't do this every day....only if you have a flare up or it can dry you out. I personally like the Neilmed Sinus rinse with the squeeze bottle. If you use the saline packet included, I recommend only using 1/8 packet if you are already irritated, other wise it will burn like the dickens!
2) Try Afrin Spray (Decongestant) for 3 days and COME OFF if its sinus pressure & stuffiness/ or you are getting a sinus infection. If you have high blood pressure, ask doctor before doing this. After using, blow your nose. Try a hot shower and let the hot water beat on your face. Use a heat pack on your face to help relieve pressure such as the sinus Bed Buddy.
3) A sinus infection DOES NOT always show up when an ENT scopes your nose. Sometimes it is hard for an ENT doctor to think outside the box if they can't see infection. Usually an antibiotic and steroid taper is needed for me to get complete relief when I have an infection. Sinus headaches cause migraines with me. You do not always blow out green thick mucous or blood when you have a sinus infection. You can have a dry sinus infection which causes more pain and worse headache. With that said, sometimes it is not an infection, just sinus pressure which can cause facial tenderness, teeth to hurt & headache.
4) TMJ and teeth grinding can cause teeth sensivity, headache and jaw pain and can mimic a sinus infection. I chipped my front tooth from grinding my front teeth and night. My teeth showed no wear from grinding my teeth. Mouthguard from the dentist helped. All of your teeth do not always become sensitive with teeth grinding or bruxism.
5) I have horrible allergies with allergic & non allergic rhinitis. I did allergy shots - they didn't help. I have sinus issues and had sinus surgery years ago due to chronic sinus infections and narrow sinuses. It helped greatly, but, it isn't a cure all nor did it eliminate all of my headaches. I do have a lot less infections and can breathe better. I am grateful.
6) Be careful using things like Azelastine (prescription spray) too often which is an antihistamine as you can dry your sinuses out too much. Same thing if you take an antihistamine by mouth like Zyrtec. I think this can cause your nose to hurt if it gets too dry.
7) Use a cool mist humidifer in your bedroom.
8) I use Alkalol saline nasal spray (Not daily - just whenever I'm really flared up), Cromlyn spray or AYR saline spray...over the counter. I was told by my first ENT that you have to switch the steroid nasal sprays as your body gets use to them. Examples: Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort, etc.
9) This is my own opinion and was also told this by my old ENT....a little vaseline a little ways up the nose with a q-tip and then wipe excess with kleenex helps with dryness. Ask your doctor about this before trying. You DO NOT do it every day. If you have the nosebleed in the dry winter months, this can help.
10) Pay attention as to if you are clenching your jaw and teeth during the day. This can cause facial and tooth pain. I was doing that and didn't realize it.
11) When washing your face, are you cheekbones, forehead tender? When you lean over do you feel a lot of pressure in your face and headache pain? With me that is a sign of a sinus flare or infection coming on.
12) When the enamel starts wearing down on your teeth, this can cause teeth sensitivity. Not all of your teeth will necessarily be sensitive either. Try a toothpaste like Sensodyne or Proenamel. Steer clear of strong mouthwashes that contain alcohol as this can make your teeth more sensitive.
13) Sometimes you can get fluid in your ear which can cause pain and it sounds like you are in a barrel. This can go along with sinus.
14) Do not blow your nose too hard.
15) Drinking water thins out mucous. Also, something like Guaifenesin helps thin out thick mucous. This is over the counter. Mucinex is Guaifenesin. The Mucinex D is Guafenesin with a Decongestant. If you have high blood pressure steer clear from taking a Decongestant as it can raise blood pressure.
16) Vicks puts out a plug in that is wonderful in your bedroom at night. Vicks also puts out a steam inhaler that you put your face in and a Vicks insert is put in the base. You put your face into the plastic part and the steam helps open up your head. I love mine and use it when I get really stuffy or have a sinus infection. Also, Vicks puts out tablets you can put in the shower floor and when you take a shower the steam opens up your head.
17) Vitamin C to keep your immune system built up.
18) Last but not least, I have long COVID and I have a lot of thick mucousy saliva that I have not been able to remedy nor get a diagnosis on. I get choked on this sometimes at night. I clear my throat a lot. Going to long Covid clinic soon.

Sorry for the length. I hope some of these help in some way. It has been trial and error for me for years. I can tell that I do not have as severe issues as some of you have listed. I am so sorry you are battling this. I know it's frustrating & painful. Blessings, Hugs & Prayers.....

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