Living with Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
A nerve condition with sudden, severe pain in the tongue, throat, ear, and tonsils.
Understanding Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
These areas are connected to the ninth cranial nerve, called the glossopharyngeal nerve. Pain episodes last from a few seconds to a few minutes and usually happen on one side of the face. Swallowing, speaking, laughing, chewing, or coughing may trigger the pain. It can start at a variety of ages.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Sudden episodes of severe pain
- Ear pain
- Tongue pain
- Lower jaw pain, including when chewing
- Anxiety
- Depression
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Facial Pain Association and The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Facial Pain Association, The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Facial Pain Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is thought to be caused by irritation of the glossopharyngeal nerve, though the exact cause of the irritation is sometimes unknown.
Also known as: glossopharyngeal nerve neuralgia; glossovasopharyngeal neuralgia; neuralgia of glossopharyngeal nerve
Patient organizations
- Facial Pain AssociationGlossopharyngeal neuralgia · United States
- Ben's FriendsGlossopharyngeal neuralgia · United States
- The Foundation for Peripheral NeuropathyPeripheral neuropathy · United States
- Neuropathy Action FoundationPeripheral neuropathy · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
Explore research for Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
Explore actively recruiting Glossopharyngeal neuralgia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Glossopharyngeal neuralgia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Glossopharyngeal neuralgia studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Glossopharyngeal neuralgia experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.