My face hurts!

[Rose Pink]

Time for the Tug "doctors" to give an opinion.

My PCP thought my face pain might be due to rosacea. I just got back from the dermatologist. I do not have rosacea. He doesn't know why my face hurts but says the pain receptors are below the skin and there may be something that has seeped under the skin causing the stinging pain and has given me a new skin care regimen to follow. Said it would take six weeks to see if it works.

He reviewed my medications and could find nothing in them that would be of concern. I've used the same moisturizers for years with no problems before now. Heat does intensify the pain, though.

My skin is cool to the touch even though if feels like a stinging burn.

I am wondering if this is just another manifestation of my fibromyalgia? The rest the skin on my body always feels like pins and needles but nothing as bad as this stinging pain in my face.

Have any of you had this problem? What was your diagnosis?

I already use liquid laundry detergent (dermatologist said to avoid powdered ones) that is free of dyes and perfumes. I always rinse my laundry several times. I only use dryer sheets on items that will get static but I will give that up as well. Dermatologist said liquid fabric softeners are okay but I don't want to chance it.

I don't take high doses of niacin--just what is in a multivitamin and I don't take that every day. Same for iodine. We really couldn't find any of the usual culprits.

Help! And, thank you.

 

[Twinkstarr]

Perhaps the formulation of your regular lotion has changed. I used to be able to use one of Aveeno's face cream, but now I can't. Really irritates my face.

 

[Fern Modena]

I was going to say the same about the moisturizer. You can not be allergic to something for many years, and all the sudden you are. My mother wore the same lipstick from the time she was 16 till she was about 50, and then her lips started cracking. She switched to a hypoallergenic one, and no more problems.

I would at least give it a try.

Fern

 

[DavidnRobin]

I was going to say the same about the moisturizer. You can not be allergic to something for many years, and all the sudden you are. My mother wore the same lipstick from the time she was 16 till she was about 50, and then her lips started cracking. She switched to a hypoallergenic one, and no more problems.

I would at least give it a try.

Fern

This is not necessarily true - one can become allergic after years of exposure - albeit it is somewhat rare.

 

[puppymommo]

Is the pain all over the face to just in one area? If it is in a line along a nerve it could be post shingles pain even if you didn't have the classic shingles outbreak. Something like gabapentin is prescribed for this kind of pain. My husband had months of unexplained pain and our doc thought it was shingles because it hurt when you just touched his skin. She prescribed gabapentin and it helped a little. Finally we found out that it was an irritated nerve, not shingles.

I hope this gets resolved for you soon. You do not need to be dealing with this along with fibromyalgia!

 

[Rose Pink]

I had considered I may have developed a sensitivity to the products I use. I showed the ingredient list to the dermatologist and he didn't find the usual suspects but that does not mean I haven't developed a sensitivity to it anyway. He said it doesn't look like an allergic reaction.

He told me to switch to Cetaphil cleanser and Cetaphil cream. Which I will do. He also told me to keep my skin hydrated so that the cells overlap one another. If the moisture level goes below 10%, then they shrink apart leaving gaps for irritants to reach the nerve level. He said to mist my skin and then apply Cetaphil cream to the damp skin. Most everything else he said to do, I already do--like stay out of the sun and wear protective clothing.

It isn't just along one nerve. It is my whole face and sometimes my neck. And sometimes the fibromyalgia pain in other parts of my body also increases to the same intensity which is why I wonder if this is related. IOW, whatever is causing the facial pain is exacerbated by the fibro making it feel worse than it normally would. Sometimes the facial pain is at managable level (no worse than the rest of me) but sometimes it gets so bad that it interrupts whatever else I am doing.

 

[squeeze]

You might try to stop using that cream you have been using and take some allergy pill (benadryl or something) to see if that helps.

If it's only your facial region and that cream is only used on that region, it sounds like it could be the culprit.

 

[Jaybee]

Isn't that what Fern just said? Now I'M confused.

This is not necessarily true - one can become allergic after years of exposure - albeit it is somewhat rare.

 

[GeraldineT]

Hate to suggest this, Shingles?

 

[dougp26364]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001751/

You might read the information in this link to see if it's similar to the pain your experiencing. It's sort of a long shot and I'm not certain from your brief description that it fits with your symptoms.

 

[Rose Pink]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. TUG is a great place for brainstorming. Love you people!

 

[Weimaraner]

I've had same problem with face having a burning sensation. For me it's either problems with rosacea or on last visit treated for dermatitis with a hydrocortisone cream and antibiotics. I have dry, sensitive skin. Feels kind of like a sunburn. The hydrocortisine cream seems to help with pain and could be bought over the counter. They don't recommend using too much since it can make your skin thinner with a lot of use. Good luck! I know it's no fun especially a sensitive area like your face.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Isn't that what Fern just said? Now I'M confused.

Fern said "You can not be allergic to something for many years, and all the sudden you are" - perhaps it was written incorrectly or meant differently. Removing the word 'not' would make it true - as...
You can be allergic to something for many years, and all the sudden you are.

 

[jackio]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001751/

You might read the information in this link to see if it's similar to the pain your experiencing. It's sort of a long shot and I'm not certain from your brief description that it fits with your symptoms.

I suffered from trigeminal neuralgia for 2 years of excrutiating pain. It felt like lightning bolts were shooting through my face several times an hour. Increasing doses of medication didn't help and I finally ended up having neurosurgery. I woke up in the recovery room pain free and have been pain free ever since! :whoopie:

 

[pjrose]

Fern said "You can not be allergic to something for many years, and all the sudden you are" - perhaps it was written incorrectly or meant differently. Removing the word 'not' would make it true - as...
You can be allergic to something for many years, and all the sudden you are.

"You can not be allergic" (here, you CAN'T be allergic)
vs
you can be not allergic (here, you CAN be un-allergic)

I think Fern meant the latter.

PJ

 

[pjrose]

Rose,

How long has this been going on? Have you recently peeled or touched unpeeled mangoes? done any gardening or housecleaning with chemicals - fertilizers, sprays, etc? Any new houseplants? been exposed to latex, gloves or otherwise? Changed your shampoo? Anything new in your water (call the water company to see if they have added any kind of softener or ???), started a new walking route so you are heading East in the morning or West in the afternoon? New sheets or towels or pillowcases? New pillow (latex?)

Years ago in Mexico I had what you describe in several places around my eyes and cheeks; it got better with a few days of either antihistimine or predinisone (can't remember which), then the day after flying home my lips, in fact the whole area from chin to nose, swelled up and was red and painful/itchy, as were the palms of my hands. The doctor couldn't figure it out, but gave me prednisone.

I mentioned it to my sister who knew immediately that it was an allergic reaction to mango skin, which has in it something akin to poison ivy, because it happened to her.

I had eaten several half-mangoes directly from the skin, transferring the substance to my hand, and thence to my cheeks/eyes when I was reading with my head propped up on my hands. On the way home, I had two lovely ripe mangoes in my carry-ons, then realized when I hit customs I'd had to toss them, so I snarfed both mangoes, again holding the skin, while landing, hence the swollen lips. The prednisone took care of it; I now travel with prednisone AND always wear gloves or plastic bags on my hands when peeling my beloved mangoes.

The moral of the story is to think of ANYTHING that might be new in your environment - especially if it corresponds to when this started.

And, as always, {{HUGS}}

 

[Rose Pink]

I know what Fern meant.

------------------------

Nothing is different in my environment and I don't have trigeminal neuralgia. But thanks for the suggestions. I consider each and every one of them to see if they apply to me. Thank you, all, for taking the time to respond with your ideas.

Currently, I always feel tingling/pins and needles sensations all over my skin. Sometimes it is worse than others. Usually, I can just ignore it but occasionally throughout the day it worsens. There is no rhyme nor reason to it. I don't recall it ever being in my face, though. When it hit my face a few weeks back it came on with a vengence. At first I just thought I was having a hot flash but this was very different. The pain was severe. I remember I was sitting in a chair one evening playing sudoku on my iPad when I started feeling discomfort in my face that quickly built into a severe stinging sensation. I looked in the mirror to see if I was red, but I wasn't.

Anyway, the only thing that I can tell that makes it worsen is heat. Hot flashes, warm air blowing at me, hot drinks. Sounds like rosacea but dermatologist says it isn't.

And, last night while playing sudoku on the iPad (what a time waster!) I started feeling it again. Hey, maybe it's caused by sudoku!

------------------------------

And now, I have a strange craving for mangoes.

 

[Htoo0]

Hey, maybe it's caused by sudoku!

My thoughts exactly the moment you mentioned it started while playing. BTW, isn't sudoku Japanese for "sucks, don't it?"

 

[CarolF]

Hey, maybe it's caused by sudoku!

I'm not sure how long you have had Fibromyalgia but have you worked out the stress/symptom relationship and also the importance of getting plenty of rest? Are you using sudoku to avoid addressing an important issue? (Of course I don't expect an answer, just trying to help).


http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/forums/Fibromyalgia_General_Discussion/red_hot_skin_/

 

[Rose Pink]

I'm not sure how long you have had Fibromyalgia but have you worked out the stress/symptom relationship and also the importance of getting plenty of rest? Are you using sudoku to avoid addressing an important issue? (Of course I don't expect an answer, just trying to help).


http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/forums/Fibromyalgia_General_Discussion/red_hot_skin_/

Thanks, Carol, that sounds like what I am experiencing. Like some of the posters, I am not necessarily red. It isn't a red, swollen reaction. It's just stinging pain.

I've not worked out stress/symptom relationships. I hurt (or am at best uncomfortable) all the time. I have a very unstressful life at the moment. (Hasn't always been that way.) My current "stress" comes from the guilt of being lazy. I guess you could say procrastination is my stressor.

That stops today. I will do something useful today and I will feel better (at least mentally/emotionally) because of it.

There is one doctor in town who specializes in fibromyalgia but her practice is full and they don't even answer phone messages. I've had several doctors suggest I have fibro and refer me to her. Can't get in. I did have a formal w/u and diagnosis from a rheumatolgist at the U of U medical school clinics but they don't treat fibro once it's diagnosed. I've tried the usual fibro drugs with no success. I just tough it out.

My husband gave me the book "Fibromyalgia for Dummies." I started reading it but can't seem able to focus on reading materials. Can't stay awake watching television or movies. Can't sleep when I go to bed.

Anyway, I vow not to play sudoku on my iPad or computer. It is too addicting. It's just too easy to click the "new puzzle" button. At least with a paper version, when it's done, it's done.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I agree that is what Fern meant to say (in the double negative sense) - I was just making sure what was factual (one can become allergic - after a period of long term exposure) as not to be confused. :deadhorse:

RosePink - you may be interested in this video on understanding pain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b8oB757DKc

on the doctor with the 'full' practice - if you have good insurance - make sure you tell the office this upfront. I won't go into details here (or tangents) - but often this is done as not to take on patients that may not be profitable. Once you become a patient - the doctor has an obligation to treat.

hopefuly it will resolve itself... best of luck.

 

[Rose Pink]

RosePink - you may be interested in this video on understanding pain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b8oB757DKc

on the doctor with the 'full' practice - if you have good insurance - make sure you tell the office this upfront. I won't go into details here (or tangents) - but often this is done as not to take on patients that may not be profitable. Once you become a patient - the doctor has an obligation to treat.

hopefuly it will resolve itself... best of luck.

That was a cool video made even better with the Australian accent. Or, should I say, I heard it with an accent. It didn't tell me anything I didn't already know but it was still well done and fun to watch. Thanks!

The last time I left a message with the fibro specialist, I did leave my insurance info (Blue Cross) per their instructions. Didn't do me any good.

 

[Weimaraner]

Hi Rose
Rosacea/dermatitis girl here. Just wanted to clarify the sunburn sensation I mentioned above doesn't mean my face is red. It just burns and tingles. I feel it but others might not see it. It can be worse in winter because of cold or other triggers. Rosacea is weird because it can be cause cause reactions to different things heat, certain foods etc. Not sure of your ethnicity but many people who are fair, particularly of eastern european origin can get it. Sometimes you see broken capillaries. It's a weird condition and fairly common. That's why I wonder if you might want to see another dermatologist to get a second opinion about what ails you. Anyway hope it's something that can be managed. I know fibromyalgia is a challenge so hoping for the best for you. I know one year I really struggled with a skin condition and finally saw a different doctor and it was such a relief to have a quick solution to my problem. I don't want to diagnose you since I'm not an expert but just wanted to clarify about the redness.

 

[glypnirsgirl]

I have had a low thyroid function that did not "test" And then I went to an older doctor that took one look at me and told me that I had a thyroid problem and put me on thyroid medicine ---- I was shocked it helped with my pain. And I have felt okay since then... and then I read that even thyroid medicine may not be enough if you have a low functioning thyroid and started taking 30 mgs of iodine per day. Within two weeks I was much better.

It was largely the getting better that made me feel up to cooking when I get home from work. And now, I am working out 3X per week also.

Taking the iodine has made a dramatic difference for me.

I was surprised to learn that you are supposed to stay away from iodine --- are you allergic?

elaine

 

[Rose Pink]

Hi Rose
Rosacea/dermatitis girl here. Just wanted to clarify the sunburn sensation I mentioned above doesn't mean my face is red. It just burns and tingles. I feel it but others might not see it. It can be worse in winter because of cold or other triggers. Rosacea is weird because it can be cause cause reactions to different things heat, certain foods etc. Not sure of your ethnicity but many people who are fair, particularly of eastern european origin can get it. ....

I'm wondering if I really do have an early case of rosacea, or one that is mild except for the pain. Even though the dermatologist said it wasn't rosacea, he did give me educational materials about it. Then I read the link CarolF sent about other fibromyalgia patients having similar sensations. So, I just don't know. I will follow the dermatologist's recommendations for the six weeks he said it could take if it was caused by my previous skin care regime. He has a good reputation but if I am still hurting this much in six weeks, I'll get another opinion.

And, I am fair skinned. Pale even. I was wearing a pair of capri pants one day and my DD told me to cover up the rest of my leg because the sun glaring off my bare skin was hurting her eyes.

I have had a low thyroid function ...

Taking the iodine has made a dramatic difference for me.

I was surprised to learn that you are supposed to stay away from iodine --- are you allergic?

elaine

Not allergic, but iodine was on the list of things the dermatologist said could
aggravate rosacea--which he said I didn't have.

There is iodine in my multivit (100% RDA) but I don't take that every day.