Brief Answer:
Cervical spine may be pinching nerves including brachial plexus

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

If you are speaking of numbness of facial structures or portions of the face IN FRONT of the ear lobes then, the most likely source of problem (neurologically speaking) would be a trigeminal nerve dysfunction though it is hard to imagine this nerve being "pinched" in the same way as other nerves in the neck are pinched. In order to assess for this as a possibility an MRI of the brain would be necessary and I would also recommend doing it with gadolinium contrast.

If, however, you mean to say that portions of the face or head which include the auricles (ears) are involved then, it is more likely than nerves emanating from the spinal cord itself (upper portions of the cervical spine) would be involved which means they could be pinched, inflamed, or otherwise irritated. In that instance an MRI of the cervical spine would be the only imaging study necessary and again, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to use gadolinium contrast as a way of being sure that there is no mass or growth that could be pressing on the involved nerves (C2, C3) of the face or C5-C7 which would supply sensation to the arms.

Another possibility for numbness in the face and arms could be that of a metabolic type such as might be seen in a nutritional vitamin deficiency involving Vitamins B12, D, folate, and B6. In other words, your doctor may request blood work looking at the levels of each of these nutritional elements and supplementing them appropriately if deficient and this can sometimes lead to improvement in symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and even pain occurring in the face, neck, and arms.

Muscle jerks in the chest, arms, and head are less likely related to anything of a pinched nerve nature and again, I would look at the bloodstream first for signs of general disturbances with electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, renal function tests (BUN, creatinine), and also inflammatory markers such as ESR and C-reactive protein. If these are all normal then, I believe the jerking of the chest, arms and head would be more likely due to anxiety and stress that are manifesting themselves with physical symptoms.

I do not believe the symptoms of urgency to urinate need be included with the ones you're describing unless it is known that you have some type of compression of the spinal cord itself (cervical cord myelopathy resulting in bladder spasticity) and I don't see this as very likely given the more localized sensory symptoms in the face and arms. For this, I would also recommend a urinalysis looking for a simple URINARY TRACT INFECTION and if found, would treat with appropriate antibiotics.

In conclusion, I recommend you see someone such as a local NEUROLOGIST who can perform a good thorough neurological history and examination and one can send you easily for appropriate blood work and diagnostic studies using:

1. Labwork as described above of both blood and urine
2. MRI of the brain and/or the cervical spine performed with GADOLINIUM CONTRAST

I would hesitate to recommend any specific treatment until a diagnosis can be established. Use of medication of any type with symptoms that are not clear with respect to origin may result in the unnecessary ingestion of medications that can produce side effects without providing any benefit or relief from symptoms. It can also lead to confusing a picture of neuropathy and motor twitching which could itself be exacerbated by secondary reactions to the medications. My recommendation is to identify the problem and then, choose the appropriate approach to treatment whether it be using medication, surgical interventions, or something entirely different.

Cheers!

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