Went ahead and took off work again. I have tons of sick time and have decided that I am not going to push myself to get back too quick. I will just work basically part-time this week.

Went to work today for a half day. Everything was fine (except for the constant dull pain), but was very tired by noon. Actually, early this morning, I was in a very positive mood and energetic at work. When I got home, my head started pounding again, though. I am so ready to be over this.

Took two sleeping pills last night. I went to sleep with no problem, but was up at 1:30am. This was the day that I was going to try to work all day. I took another sleeping pill when I woke up, but it had absolutely no affect at all. My head was hurting, but not at its most severe. I went on in to work at 6am, but left at around 10:30am. I tried to sleep some when I got home. Finally, I took a pill (taking pills is getting old). I slept for about 30 minutes and then was wide awake. So, much for that. My head was hurting again, as well. I go to the Neurologist tomorrow. I am really looking forward to that. Maybe, he can tell me something to help or re-assure me that this is not something else more permanent.

Today I had my appointment with the Neurologist. I am SO glad that I pushed for this. The Neurologist was absolutely great. He did a few physical tests in his office and we spent close to an hour talking about all the symptoms. He told me that we were going to figure this out. First, he started me on Neurontin. This is not a pain pill, but has an effect on the nerve endings. Since no pain pill that I have taken actually takes away all the pain, it was worth a try. It is used for all sorts of purposes - seizures, Depression, and even manages the pain for cancer victims. It is non-addictive and you keep increasing your dose until it works right for you. I will start with 300mgs and go up, as needed.

As for figuring out what is causing this, he ordered another MRI, CT Scans, and blood tests. He is going to rule out everything. Also, he stated that if we didn’t figure it out with all of this, he would send me to one of the leading experts on facial paralysis that happens to be close by in Dallas, Texas at Southwest Medical School. That was great news for me.

One other thing he thinks this could be is a narrow ear canal. He stated that some people have this and any time they get any type of infection, the ear canal swells and presses against the facial nerve. He stated that this could be hereditary. This is of special interest since my sister and one of my uncles have both had Bells Palsy. Interesting………

I took the Neurontin last night. I am off all other meds now, but that. WOW! It knocked me out last night, but there is NO headache at all for the first time since this started. Not even a dull one.

I stayed home from work again, but didn’t feel any pain until late in the afternoon. It seems that when I started getting tired, my face drooped again and I felt some pain. Overall, though, this is great.

Had a good weekend. Just a little pain late in the afternoons, but that is even improving. I am up to 600 mg of Neurontin now. The only thing that I have to be careful about is not over doing it when I feel good. I get tired easy and that is when my head starts hurting some.