Hi Morticia,

I've just come out of a similar bout of neuralgia (the medical term for that excruciating pain down the side of your head, in your temple area and into your neck and shoulder muscles) but I have had this problem before and each time I get it now I know that one of my teeth is attacking from the inside so I get to the dentist ASAP and get an X-ray to find the offending article. Once the dentist gets on the case it starts getting better pretty quickly. The anti-biotics are a bit slow acting but I use the microwaveable wheat-filled heat bags on the side of my face and also around the back of my neck. Make sure you don't set the microwave too high. Warm, not burning hot.

When I first had this problem years ago I found myself using the side of a coffee cup, the top half of the cup when it was half full so that's when I realised that heat made it feel better. Often after using the heat bag for a few minutes the pain goes away for a matter of hours, so it's quick and effective for hours.

I agree that whiskey works. My father got me onto that idea when I first had the problem. I swill it around in my mouth, around the offending tooth.

BUT, I never used whiskey when on anti-biotics, only before I could get to the dentist.

You have my deepest sympathy - I know exactly what you are going through.

Helen