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Got Hit On Temporal Head Area. No Visible Bruise. Am I Getting Pain Due To Shunt?
Question: I hit my right temporal head area hard about a week ago. Sore for 5 days but no visible bruising. Over the last 2 days a very intense pain has popped up in my upper left gum. 1000 mgTylenol and Motrin 800 mg does nothing to control the pain. But swishing cool water works great for about a minute. The pain rapidly rises to 9-10 area and goes to the left eye and jaw unless I swish more of the cool water. But that doesn't occur since I keep swishing but a problem for me is no sleep in the last 48 hrs and I'm worried what to do. I can't swish and sleep at the same time. I am in a new area and cannot get an exam till 1-7-13 because the neurologists are backed up. I was seen in a walk in clinic today but they said to see a neurologists. Anything I can do to help with the pain so I can get some sleep? What is the cause of this pain-malfunctioning shunt or the head blow? TIA-Mike
Hello.
Thanks for posting your query.
Your pain is very unlikely due to hydrocephalus or shunt. It could be due to inflammation followed by trauma you had. Sometimes, if there is injury to trigeminal nerve root, it can present with symptoms like this. If this is the cause, it will settle by itself over a period.
Other possibility is local tooth or gum pathology. But, definitely it needs local examination to come to a conclusion. If you can not see a neurologist, you can get yourself examined by a facio-maxillary surgeon. At least a local physician will be able to prescribe you next level pain killers after tylenol and motrin for temporary relief. Opioids can be tried. Once the diagnosis establish, full treatment can be initiated.
I would suggest you to continue anti-inflammatory medications till then.
I hope, it will help you to solve your problem. I will be available for follow up queries if any.
Regards.
Thanks for posting your query.
Your pain is very unlikely due to hydrocephalus or shunt. It could be due to inflammation followed by trauma you had. Sometimes, if there is injury to trigeminal nerve root, it can present with symptoms like this. If this is the cause, it will settle by itself over a period.
Other possibility is local tooth or gum pathology. But, definitely it needs local examination to come to a conclusion. If you can not see a neurologist, you can get yourself examined by a facio-maxillary surgeon. At least a local physician will be able to prescribe you next level pain killers after tylenol and motrin for temporary relief. Opioids can be tried. Once the diagnosis establish, full treatment can be initiated.
I would suggest you to continue anti-inflammatory medications till then.
I hope, it will help you to solve your problem. I will be available for follow up queries if any.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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