Sudden sharp pain in your throat, tongue or deep inside your ear can be very upsetting. If the pain feels like an electric shock and happens when you swallow, talk or cough, it might be a condition called glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN).
GPN is a chronic nerve disorder that causes brief but intense pain in the throat, tonsil area, tongue or ear. Though it’s uncommon, effective treatments are available. At Banner Health, our neurology and neurosurgery specialists can identify the cause of your pain and create a treatment plan to help you feel better.
GPN is a rare nerve pain disorder that affects the glossopharyngeal nerve, also called cranial nerve IX. This nerve carries sensation from parts of your:
When the nerve becomes irritated, compressed or damaged, it can send sudden pain signals to the brain. Many people describe the pain as an electric shock, stabbing or shooting sensation. The pain may make it difficult to eat, drink, speak or even yawn without fear of triggering another attack.
The nerve is one of 12 cranial nerves that connect your brain to different parts of your head, neck and torso. It helps with:
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia are both cranial nerve pain disorders but they affect different nerves and different parts of the body. While both are rare, glossopharyngeal neuralgia is much rarer.
Because glossopharyngeal neuralgia is rare, it is often mistaken for other conditions, including:
The main symptom of GPN is sudden, intense nerve pain on one side of the throat or head. Other symptoms include:
Episodes can last from a few seconds to two minutes. Some people have several attacks each day, while others have pain-free periods between episodes.
In rare cases, GPN can affect the vagus nerve, which runs close to the glossopharyngeal nerve. During severe attacks, some people may experience:
See your health care provider if you experience these rare symptoms.
In some people, GPN happens because the glossopharyngeal nerve becomes irritated near the base of the brain. The most common causes include:
Sometimes, no clear cause is found. Other cases may be caused by other underlying conditions such as:
GPN is uncommon but certain factors may increase your risk. You may be more likely to develop it if you:
There is no single test for GPN. Diagnosis begins with a careful review of your symptoms and medical history and a physical exam to check nerve function, muscle strength, reflexes and sensation.
Because many conditions can cause similar symptoms, your provider may recommend additional testing, such as:
Treatment depends on the cause of your pain, how often attacks happen and how much symptoms affect your daily life. Many people improve with medication, while others may benefit from procedures or surgery.
Several medications help calm overactive nerve signals. These may include:
Over the counter medications and opioids generally don’t work. Finding the right medication and dose may take time. Your provider will monitor your symptoms and adjust treatment as needed while watching for side effects.
For some people, an injection of local anesthetic near the nerve may temporarily relieve pain. Nerve blocks may also help confirm the diagnosis.
If a blood vessel is pressing against the nerve, MVD surgery may provide long-lasting relief. During the procedure, a neurosurgeon:
Unlike procedures that intentionally damage the nerve, MVD preserves nerve function whenever possible. For many people, it offers lasting pain relief while reducing the need for long-term medication.
When other treatments do not work or cannot be done, your surgeon might recommend stereotactic radiosurgery or a rhizotomy, both of which interrupt pain signals by destroying part of the affected nerve.
While they can provide excellent pain relief, the pain often recurs in stereotactic radiosurgery, and rhizotomy may cause numbness or changes in swallowing. Your neurosurgeon will discuss the benefits and risks to determine the best option for you.
If GPN is caused by another medical condition, treatment will also focus on that problem.
Talk with a health care provider if you have recurring sharp, stabbing or electric shock-like pain in your throat, tongue, ear or jaw.
You may benefit from seeing a neurologist, pain management specialist or neurosurgeon if:
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care if your pain is accompanied by:
Living with glossopharyngeal neuralgia can be very difficult, especially when the pain makes it hard to eat, talk or do everyday activities. Banner Health provides care for complex nerve pain conditions like GPN through Banner Neurosciences, neurology, pain management and neurosurgery.
We use advanced imaging to find nerve compression, prescribe medicines and perform minimally invasive treatments. Surgery, like microvascular decompression, is also an option if needed. Our goal is to help reduce your pain, improve your quality of life and get you back to the activities you enjoy.
Learn more about Banner Neurosciences.
Yes. GPN is much less common than trigeminal neuralgia. Because it’s rare, it can take time to get the correct diagnosis.
Sometimes, symptoms come and go. People might have weeks, months or even years of no pain. But many eventually need treatment to prevent the pain from coming back.
The condition itself is usually not life-threatening. However, in rare cases, GPN can affect the heart or blood pressure, causing dizziness or fainting. If this happens, it needs to be checked by a doctor right away.
Stress does not cause the condition. But it can make the pain worse or make attacks happen more often.
Not everyone needs surgery. Many people can control the pain with medicine. Surgery is usually only needed if medicines stop working or if a blood vessel presses on the nerve.
Yes. Some people get relief for a long time. Others may have pain again years later. Your doctor will watch your condition and suggest new treatment if needed.
No. They are both nerve pain problems but they affect different nerves. GPN usually causes pain in the throat, back of the tongue, tonsils and ear. TN mainly affects the cheek, jaw, teeth and forehead.
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