Right Temple Numbness: Causes, Diagnosis & Relief

Question
Hello,
Thank you for your time and help. I am a 42-year-old women - good health - eats right - works out. Last year, a neurologist ran tests to find out why I am having numbness in my right temple. The test included a MRI of my brain & neck, EKG, and blood work. The only thing that showed up was a herniated disk in my neck that he said was normal. I still have this numbness and it has increased from coming and going once or twice very hour for about a count of 5 to a more constant numbness. It does not hurt but feels weird and is scary! I thought I might have a tumor or something but the test was negative except for the herniated disk. I'm glad that he didn't find anything really bad - but after all that I still don't have any answers. Can the herniated disk cause this numbness? Lately, I am having a hard time staying wake and alert during the day although I get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly. Do you know what could cause this numbness? Is the sleepiness related? Is the herniated disk normal or the culprit?
Thank you for your help,

TM

Answer
Tammy,

The only thing I might add would be to evaluated for something around your right ear or ear canal.  Some of the nerves that supple the right temple area exit the skull around the ear.  It may be worth seening an ear-nose-throat specialist.

However, almost all pathology would show up on the MRI, and the herniated disc should have nothing to do with that part of the face.

Though less likely, the numbness could be from some metabolic process.  You should also have a blood test for glucose, B12, and thyroid, if you haven't already.