Hey!! Sorry it has been a bit since Ive posted… I have dealt with quite a bit!! Just to follow up… I had my Left Styloidectomy September 26 and my Right Styloidectomy November 14 and unfortunately I THINK I am now dealing with First Bite Syndrome but Im not 100% so Im coming here to see if anyone has any of you havr experience with this? Ever since my Surgery on the 14th, my teeth/molars on the right hurt SOOOO BAD!! As if the nerves are exposed or I have horrific Cavities, but… PreOp I didnt have this problem… my Styloid WAS Calcified to my Jaw so I think that this may play a part in this somehow, but my other group says it sounds like FBS?
It sounds to me like your trigeminal nerve was irritated during surgery. This makes sense in light of your styloid being calcified to your jaw as that nerve has 3 branches, two of which affect (can cause pain) in the teeth when those branches are irritated. Pain in the teeth is a common ES symptom (prior to surgery).
First Bite Syndrome is caused by the glossopharyngeal nerve over-stimulating the parotid gland which causes intense momentary pain in the side of the face near the the jaw joint, cheek area, & possible scalp & ear pain just prior to or at the time the first bite or two of food is eaten. It typically doesn’t cause pain that lingers.
Here’s a picture of the trigeminal nerve & one of the parotid gland:
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I agree with @Isaiah_40_31 that it sounds more like nerve pain rather than 1st bite. I’ve had toothache from the Trigeminal Nerve & quite a few other members have too. There are medications which can help- detailed info in the Newbies Guide Section, it might be worth you seeing your GP/ PCP for that? Hopefully the nerves are just irritated from surgery & will settle & heal with time!
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Yes!! This is exactly where the pain is and today was so bad I was in bed, all day, again!! There is no swelling or redness, as if theres a Toothache or a Cavity… but it feels as if I have 8 massive Cavities working back there and the entire side of my face up into my temple is just unbearable!!
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Definitely worth trying one of the nerve pain meds… 
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I totally agree w/ Jules. Some of our members have taken nerve pain meds only for a few months during healing but others have found the need for low dose meds on an ongoing basis. I say do whatever is necessary to get your life back to a more normal place. Usually nerve pain meds are started low dose & gradually increased to find the effective level & to help keep side effects lower. The meds can take a few weeks to begin helping. I hope your doctor or PCP will work with you on that.
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Thank you for all of the helpful information!! It was, indeed Trigeminal Neuropathy and I was started on Gabapentin, as I am actually already on one of the other options and I seem to have good response to the Gabapentin with past Nerve Issues when Ive taken it for Shingles!!
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I’m glad you know what works for you w/ the least side effects, @MamaBear6. Hoping to hear you’re getting good pain relief from the Gabapentin as time passes.
Hope that it works for you 