Ear fullness and jaw joint pain

[douglast]

Since the beginning of Aug, I have expereinced some issues related to my ears.  It began with complete ear fullness.  Went to internist, and he gave me Rhinocort and said to take Sudafed.  It then appeared to go away for 2 weeks.  Then it returned, but not to the severity as the first time.  I proceeded to an ENT who peformed the test analyzing the pressure in the inner ear canals.  Came back negative.  I have continued to use the Rhinocort along with Sudafed and Claritin D.  I then began to experience slight jaw pain in the area below the ear.  Hurts when I chew.  Internist xrayed my jaw to rule out TMJ, and that came back negative.  He has no other suggestions.  I went for about 1 1/2 weeks until this past Monday, with no feeling of fullness or anything.  The slight jaw pain was still present.  On Monday, it begun to feel not normal again.  I don't necessarily have ear fullness, but the area  behind my ears near the jaw feels odd inside.  Almost like they are swollen.  It is hard to explain.   I am at a loss of what do do next.

[Demiguise]

Drainage dwn throat can irritate the eustachian tube openings.
They run over to middle ear that controls 'the pop'. Nerve
swelling in the area you mentioned can cause off/on symptoms.
If it's ears & not unilateral, probably drainage in throat.
Learn 'valsalva' (pinch off nose & lightly get air to open tubes
to pop). Sleep w/ higher or 2 pillows to get drainage to by-pass
the opening tubes. Never fly w/o using something like Afrin OTC
before take-off. Acquired allergies can do this. If noticeable
swelling happens near ear, consult w/ ENT. May be infection.
Gd-luck.

[BEANIBEAR1967]

did they check for ear infection--sounds like what I experience whenever I get one and they prescribe antibiotic ear drops usually clears up in ten days.

[jgonzales]

try chewing some gum... it helps the ears.. it also helps drain it..

[star queen]

Have you had your eyes checked lately? Try to remember back to the "beginning" of the problem and think if you got something in your eye(s). Do your eyes seem somewhat "sticky" in the mornings when you first wake up? Have they been watering more lately? Does it seem like you have a film on the eye that can be blinked away? You may have a unhealed scratch on the eye that is causing the eyes to water. When the eyes water, that water drains into the nasal cavity (this is why you have to blow your nose when you cry) and into the back of the throat.  The nose will run a clear fluid "drip". The drainage will cause a post nasal drip that may be accompanied with a cough that can be very powerful.  You have the urge to hack up something that isn't there. This drainage can also back up into the Eustachian tube behind the ear causing pressure to build up in the TMJ that may appear as a very slight swelling of the joint. Some doctors will think you have an allergy and will treat the "allergy" instead of the eye problem.  Since your problem is re-occuring and the allergy meds aren't working very well, it might be a good idea to see the optometrist and get your eyes checked out. If this is a problem with the eyes, often eye drops will clear up the problem.  good luck

[Demiguise]

Stay w/ ENT & ask if he'll order a Coronal CT to put your mind
at ease. You lay on stomache w/ nose in chin-rest & go 'nose'
in, not face up. This will ck. for any fluid/infection in the
sinuses or mastoid cells. 99.9% of us have eustachian tubes in back of throat above the palate, directly behind the nose
where it connects to middle ear. Reason why nose sprays are used
to open & pop ear. They aren't located behind your ears. You may
have a problem w/ what they call mastoid air cells that can
get inflammed or infection. If tender or swollen tissue behind
ear, go back to ENT. May need antibiotics. If overlooked, it
could get serious & affect jaw along w/ nerves to ear. This
CT can be used as a baseline for later & rule in/out any sinus
or cell problems starting. When you said x-ray, what type did
you mean? If Coronal was done, get copy + ask if a re-read of
mastoid area could be done. The lab will give you a copy w/o
telling MD. The Dr. can call lab to pull films to re-ck or
deliver to ofc. This type CT is really very important. Things
can go crazy at ear even from a tiny cyst/polyp in a sinus.
Afrin or nasal-saline works well. Rhinocort can cause tissue
irritation w/ rebound + cost. Use what seems to wk. for you.
Gd-luck.

[douglast]

To Demiguise:

I have been to an ENT as I noted, and he sent me home.  His comment was since that pressure test came back negative, that clinically he had no grounds or reason to press forward.  His comment was that if I had an infection, tumor, etc. etc, this test would had come back showing irregularities.   I sit here now with pain in jaw joint, and my ears don't necessarily feel full, but you notice that this area is there.   Almost like the area  right behind your ears is swollen.  They just seem pronounced when normally you don't even take notice of this area.   I can't say I have had any severe allergy issues.  A slightly stuffy nose, but nothing I would have taken Claritin or Sudafed for had the doctor had not told me to do so.  In other words, I could breath.   I even called my dentist the other day to see if a TMJ xray (that I noted I had) showed nothing could I still be having these symptoms.  He said yes.  I am just completely perplexed as to whether they are even related (I began getting ear fullness in early Aug. .  Jaw pain started 3 weeks ago), and have no idea what to do.  Go to another ENT?

[douglast]

I posted a response before this , but did not label it as being for you.

thx

[Demiguise]

A bsic xray would help w/ showing bone alignment just like they
might do at DDS for ck'g bite. Neg. air pressure is gd but just
means not enough ws there at time of test or feedback may have
popped some air loose into bone air cells. Since it's bilateral,
could be eusatchian tube dsyfunction envolving 1 or more of the sinuses draining or not levelingcausing the irritatation. The
jaw problem is unilateral so it still sounds like a sinus ?.
The main sinuses to evaluate 1st are the Maxillary. 1 on ea side
& Ethmoids (upper nose, betw. brows). If these drain or have a
cycst, etc, they drain over ET openings. ONLY a Coronal Sinus
CT can ck all sinuses for fluid/air/polyps/wall thickening.
There is also a rare form of 'radiologists call poss cyst' when
in fact thy get lazy & even overlook. It's actuall an inverted
benign tumor that is a problem. This is only abt 2% of population so don't go there but know that Dr's can goof. Your
present Dr. stinks if he won't help you. Get a new ENT/say little/re-test pressure if they want/up-front say you just won't feel gd till you have a Coronal CT. Rule in/out problems
early. Friend didn't & at 4 yrs through a tantrum in ofc, since
nothing to lose & got the CT. Had narrowed maxillary w/ bad
inflamm./nerve compression & a polyp. Maxillary drains fluid ea 30min. Interrupt flow & air in side starts pushing dwn on fluid till it finally hurts & releases. This type CT will help say alot. Try to find a ENT by referral of a friend that you know had luck but willing to lose if things go south & you take it
out on them. What state are you in? Some have better Dr's! Even a GP can order the CT. Then get referral? Sinus/mastoid prob.
can really get out of control. Hopefully it's a spasms or
something minimal. Dump the doc! Get busy & use this on this
yrs. taxes if in US? Gd-luck.

[douglast]

I live in St. Louis.  The ENT was a Washington University doctor.  

I am just wondering if I should go to an allergist.   I don't understand the coming and going of symptons.  Today I wake up and the pain appears to be gone in the joint, yet the areas around my ear feel odd.  Not necessarily full, but feels like you are listening to the inside of your head.   Like you can hear when you turn you head etc. etc.  Now two weeks ago, relatively nothing.   I am wondering if maybe I am allergic to something in the house.  I tossed a pillow I have had for nearly 20 years because my wife says it could be filling my nose with who knows what every night I go to bed.  The only thing is that if it is allergies, why do I not have a runny nose or not sneezing or not having a significant stuffy nose.

In your last note, wouldn't the symptons be constant if I had any of the things you noted?

Another thing that has been odd lately is that my blood pressure has been elevated a bit the last two times I have had it taken.  My blood pressure has always been excellent, but this last two times (about three weeks ago and then again 2 weeks ago) I had an upper number of 140.

[Demiguise]

Don't know what to say. I just rec'd a msg 'Do not post info
that could be considered medical advice.' Don't want to be
deleted so I have to figure out the difference of advice/comment
sharing info or knowledge. Their board! I wish you luck.

[sfield]

Your symptoms sound a lot like what i've been experiencing. I have had the symptoms on and off for a couple years. However recently they have become more constant.I have fullness under my ears and jaw pain. It comes and goes and can be one side or the other or both. Sometimes it is just uncomfortable and sometimes very painfull. Because I have a LOT of allergies I've always assumed that was what it was. I usually feel a little better after I take a benadryl and aspirin. However I would love this problem to stop occuring. I was given a nose spray by the allergist and this seems to help as well but not completly. I would be interested to hear if you had any success with the allergist. I will be starting shots soon and hope that helps. I have never met anyone who has had these type of problems with there allergies.Usually it is external..sneezing .. nose running etc..

[fredde]

I wish someone/anyone could help me, for well over 4 years I have this fullness in my ears, it started in one ear after a flight but no pain when they plane was going down but an ear infection when I was on my trip to Hawaii..when I landed and was home I was never the same,my ears always feel full/blocked...also the night before this trip I had this severe, quite severe neck pain and the neck pain was bad on the trip...so I came home and started to seek medical help, so far I have had tubes put in by two different doctors, and the tubes were not helpful in the least so I had them removed, I have had ct scans of my sinuses and then an allergist said I was very allergic to dust and mold and in fact a few months into this my house we found out was filled with toxic mold so I needed to leave my house but I never got better and now I hear clicking all the time and I blow my nose or do that technique all day, I forget the name of it ..to get some relief...I have had one MRI and now a new doctor wants to do another one....anyone have any idea if my eustacian tubes will ever get back to normal, it's driving me nuts and I would give anything to get back to normal....some days I also have dizziness/vertigo....HELP!

[mcal78]

I have the same type of problem. I've been experiencing it for about two weeks. I feel the jaw joint right below my left ear hurts when I clench my jaw or sneeze (because I clench my jaw), or chew on that side. I have no tooth or gum pain. My ear feels clogged on that side as well. I'm not sure if I should wait and see if it goes away or see a doctor or if there is something I can do to myself.

[homeyd73]

i have had all the same problems that everyone here has discussed, i have had every test you can think of, ct's mri, xray, tmj, scans of lymph nodes, light down my throat, all came back negative, i have had a constant fullness of the ears, dull to severe pain under my left side of my jaw, feels like a neck tie tied way to tight around my throat, last winter i had about a 3 month spell of dizziness/vertigo, and the thought of food gagged me, i lived on antivert and phenegren, that went away when warm weather came, and now that its cold out, the dizziness and shakes are back, i am going to loose my mind, family dr, put me on lexapro a week ago, except for the diarreah, i cant tell i am taking it, any ideas would help

[shanek6289]

First of all, I'm 18 and living on my own.(Long Story) I am using a medical cars, and it has occured to me that doctors may be rushing the process of evalution, since I am using community based health coverage. I have been to several doctors to find the answer to this aggrivating issue. Please if you can help please post. My first docotor said I had a build up of fluids in my eustacia and prescribed rhinocort nasal spray with antibiotics. This seemed to help at first, but within 1 week it stopped working. When I push in the small cavity right below my hear, and behind the most vertical part of my jaw line, i hear a shwishing noise and I feel a sensation as if someone punched me in the jaw the day before. I am also feeling unilateral pressure in my temporal region that sometimes spreads to the other side. I also feel as if I am constantly changing elevation, because everytime I swollow I hear popping noises. This may be of importance, but my wisdom teeth are starting to tear through. I was told that the jaw pain and some ear pain may be related, but not all the symptoms, like the swishing noise and the stuffy nose.(also unilateral) If you can help me I would greatly appreciate it.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

shanek6289, read the other posts on this page, you'll find that many folks have gotten benefit from nasal steroids like the rhinocort you're taking as well as antibiotics, but 1 week is too short a time period, you need to use it sometimes for weeks...

Pain in the small cavity below your ear could be TMJ (temporomandibular joint arthritis)

the popping noises could be from blocked eustachian tubes, consider adding nasal saline rinse to decrease post-nasal drip

[timjamz]

I have searched and searched the web, but this is the first forum (let alone actual information) I've found that addresses this issue.  I also have this issue.  For the last several months, it has been a persistent problem.  Before that, the problem was intermittent... felt like a problem in my jaw, and applying pressure (massaging) to the main muscle on the jaw seemed to help the pain.

Now, as the problem is persistent, as I am feeling more and more "sluggish" by the day.  I have not had a fever, but nasal discharge (when blowing my nose) is often green and occasionally contains small amounts of blood.  The pain is, as everyone else has mentioned, directly behind the jaw, directly below the ear, and in front of the little "lobe" at the base of the skull.

I haven't been to a doctor in YEARS.  Is it maybe time to go see one?  Any advice on what I could ask him/her to look for?

[Enoch Choi, MD]

If massaging the jaw helped, i'd wonder about TMJ

THere are specialists that focus on this diagnosis

yes, time to see your doctor and ask for a referral to your local TMJ specialist

[timjamz]

Thanks for the quick response!  Unfortunately I don't have a "my doctor," as I cannot afford health insurance (my employer offers it, but I cannot afford to cover my family at $700/month PLUS copays/deductibles).  I have considered a "doc-in-a-box," because the ER is NOT the way to go financially... but I wonder what kind of quality I might receive at a clinic.

I have thought about TMJ, since I know I grind my teeth at night... however, with the consistent green and occasional blood in nasal discharge (but with minimal "stuffy" feeling), I wonder if perhaps a problem with chronic sinusitis and/or eustachian tubes.  "Snorting" and "ear popping" (valsalva) often relieve the discomfort, though sometimes it does not.  Lately (the last month or so), I take both one OTC, regular-strength ibuprofen and one OTC, regular-strength aspirin once in the morning and once in the late afternoon which seems to help with the discomfort.

Any other advice with this further clarification?  I understand what you are providing is not medical advice (for the purposes of this forum), but I sure would like to have the best information possible before going through "trial-and-error" doctor visits (due to the financial situation).

THANKS AGAIN for your quick response.  I look forward to any more experience you might provide.

Tim

[timjamz]

Just to clarify: I am NOT in so much discomfort that I feel it is a medical emergency!!!  However, it is becoming annoying, and it is also adversely affecting my daily feeling of "well-being."

Just wanted to make that clear, since I mentioned the ER.

Thanks!

[Enoch Choi, MD]

a doc in the box may not help as much as a specialist, but the specialist's fees will be much greater, and it could take many  visits.

I'm glad that ibuprofen & aspirin help.  they both help with inflammation

snorting often comes with nasal allergies, to clear secretions.  saline rinses and nasal steroids can help with that.

valsalva for ear popping often helps with eustachian tube dysfunction

chronic sinusitis usually has fever, one-sided pain, radiating into teeth.

[buzzingears]

Last night I had a tooth ache and it felt really sore and today i have woke up with my ears feeling full and now they are ringing, has anyone any idea what this could be it is really annoying my ears just feel more sensitive usual and they have loud buzzing or ringing.They just feel denser than usual, If someone has any idea it would be really helpful,my ears have never felt like this before.

[buzzingears]

It actually feels bit better now I think its tinnitus will make app with my doctor/.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

did you see your doc?

tinnitus doesn't usually come from a tooth ache...

[buzzingears]

Thanks for reply, I have app for next week but the buzzing has gone and my tooth ache isnt as bad, maybe they are not connected.

[TrigeminalChic]

Hello:  First, the TMJ is located directly adjacent to the middle ear. With that in mind, anytime the TMJ is mis-aligned; there will be generalized pressure from that joint--referred to the adjacent middle ear.  WHENEVER there is ear pressure, pain, along with jaw pain; a TMJ specialist is
MANDATORY. You need a hard acrylic splint to reposition your jaw forward so that the
disc may be "recaptured" back into the joint. This appliance costs around 400$ and only..I REPEAT
ONLY  a TMJ SPECIALIST SHOULD MAKE THIS FOR YOU AND EVALUATE YOUR PROGRESS WITH IT. It usually takes around 6 months to receive optimal relief and another year or so to get past it all and back to the way things used to be--before the issue. Finally, the "feeling" behind the jaw and beneath the ear is most likely inflamation (inflammation) of the lymph node from continuous pressure and stress in that area--inflamation from the issues of the jaw surrounding the lymph node which is also located in that same spot! Lastly, I would request a soft tissue ct of your cervical neck to rule out any growths along with a ct of the mandible/maxilla including both joints in both opened and closed positions. On a final note, neuropathic conditions may also cause referred pain and sensations of fullness and irritation. One is called Trigeminal Neuropathy which can relplicate many, i repeat MANY other orofacial conditions. TRUST ME--I HAVE THIS ONE! TOOK ME A YEAR TO GET THE DIAGNOSIS RIGHT!!!  So, TMJ SPECIALIST, SPLINT, CT'S OF ALL IMAGES I MENTIONED. IF STILL NO RELIEF, GET TO A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT WORKING WITH OROFACIAL PAIN SYNDROME.  GOOD LUCK!  AND KEEP A COTTON BALL IN YOUR AFFECTED EAR EVERYTIME YOU SHOWER! KEEP IT DRY INSIDE!!!

[buzzingears]

Are you a doctor? Some of that was bit hard to understand but I will take note of all of it. thank you what is  the  cervical neck is that the womb because i get smear test and they are fine?my doctor examined me and said I was fine. If I get it again I will request what you have said. Thank you

[alexstu]

Hi there. I think its important to note that most GP's have not really the first clue about ears. Unless its an obvious infection they are at a complete loss (though they very rarely admitt it)
I have 60% deafness in my left ear and I must have seen seven different doctors who all diagnosed some sort of infection. It wasn't untill I went to see a particularly excellent ENT specialist here in the U.K that he told me I had problems with the bones in my ear and an operation would solve the issue.(though haven't got the nerve to have it yet) So in other words demand to see a specialist. I am not to sure what the process is in the states.
Another thing people should consider is there septums..If they are deviated ,like mine, that can aggrivate ones ears.

[buzzingears]

Thanks will ask to to get referral to ENT specialsist Im actually from Ireland.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

how'd the appointment go?

[laneighs]

okay.  I have alot.  As a child I had ear aches all the time.  My dad was a nonbeliever in spending money on doctors.  He used to put 50/50 alcohol and vinegar in my ear.  Use to pretty much clear them up no problem.  As a teenager I had on and off issues with my left jaw joint, and left ear.  Usually went away.  Now 25 the last couple of years many things have gone down hill.  I don't sleep due to neck, back, and ear pain, I take ambion in order to get some kind of sleep but still manage to wake up in the middle of the night in pain.  I am taking zoloft for anxiety and depression, I get the shakes, dizziness, and vertigo on a regular basis, all of this occurred well before I started taking my medication.  As of right now I realize that I don't have a ear ache there is just something WRONG.  I have been in moderate to severe pain for a month, ear and left jaw I cannot chew properly, close my mouth totally, or sleep.  I have been going to bed with my left side of my face on a heating pad.  If anyone can actually give me some information that has not yet been repeated I would be eternally grateful

[laneighs]

I forgot the headaches on a daily basis

[Enoch Choi, MD]

laneighs, your symptoms are similar to many of the folks on this page, describing their temporomandibular joint pain.  It sounds like you have a doctor since you receive ambien & zoloft from them, ask them to treat you for TMJ

[buzzingears]

The doctor appointment went well thanks, he examined me and said my ears were fine, I was at the dentist and got filling in back tooth the one that was paining me and I havnt had any discomfort since, feeling much better.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

Glad the filling in your molar fixed the pain, and that your ears were fine.  Good luck and tell us if it comes back!

[ihavetmj]

I have those symptoms too. I have TMJ.  It mimics sinus problems. Go to accupucturist. They helped me tremendously. Good Luck.

[petem1]

In the past month, I have developed pain in my jaw on one side.  I have also had pain in my ear on the same side.  (I am currently out of the U.S. for several months and am having to rely on local medical/dental resources where I am not a regular patient.)  I first saw a dentist who told me that my "bite" was not right and he adjusted an inlay in one of my molars to correct it.  This has not really helped me.  I also went to see a doctor who said that my ear was inflamed.  He prescribed some antibiotic/antiinflammatory drops for my ear.  They have not yet helped me, either.  He also prescribed a very potent painkiller with both tramadol and acetaminophen.  After reading about possible side effects of tramadol, I am very reluctant to take this medication.  I have a history of heart disease and high blood pressure, as well as acid reflux.  I take medications for all of these problems.    I would appreciate any input.  

[CUrban24]

Hello,
I too have been struggling with what seems like a TMJ/Eustachian tube dysfunction problem.  The problem started about a year ago, a few months prior to it starting I was involved in a low speed scooter accident where I hurt my shoulder, however I wonder if trauma from that could affect the situation a few months down the road.  One day I woke up and both ears felt full.  My right one cleared up eventually that same day but the left one never fully did.  Since that time I have noticed what I think is a drainage problem with my left ear. While I don't think I grind my teeth, I can sense that something might be wrong with the left jaw joint as it sounds and feels 'squishy' when operating my jaw.  Also, occasionally the tension in my jaw joint seems to build and the pressure problem in my middle ear gets worse.  When this happens I feel like I want to release the tension in the jaw joint and can actually 'crack' the joint.  This does seem to help for a time.  Chewing gum does seem to coax the drainage but I can't overdo it because of the apparent jaw muscle issues.  I would like to fix this for good.  I find that the daily distraction of my left ear not draining fully (I think) causing a slight fullness and a popping sound when I swallow makes it difficult to focus and is extremely frustrating.   Does it sound like I am on the right track with assuming this drainage isssue is related to this apparent TMJ?  
I have no health insurance but just got a job with full benefits so am going to look into.  At that point I suppose the best thing to do would be to seek a TMJ specialist as suggested above.   Any confirming or disconfirming information would be greatly appreciated and a huge help!

[LucyTT]

Last year I had a lump under my jaw.  pcp thought it was lymph node but ent and ct scan showed swollen salivary gland.  Before going to ENT i was on 3 courses of antibiotics.  Ent said no need to see her again unless it changed.  It eventually went away.  Now 7 mos latter I have been having (3 weeks endurance) a swollen feeling in the jaw on the same side.  It feel like my face is swollen (not visible) and pressure in my ears.  I am having sinus drainage probably allergy realated even though I've never been tested.  It goes up and down at different times of the day.  Some days I don't feel it at all.  I feel like something is seriously wrong but I don't know what to do.  I work a lot of hours and don't have much time.  I almost went to the ER last night because it felt really swollen and frightened me.  Can anyone tell me what this might be related to?

[JawpainNJ]

I have the same problem everyone is describing on this forum for almost a year now.  It's very difficult to describe but I definately have pain on my jaw right below my ear and fullness feeling in my ear and directly below my jaw.  I had a CT scan when it first started bothering me.  I've been scoped by the ENT twice.  They said I have some post nasal drip but that was it.  They also said I had a deviated septum and maybe that was causing the pain.  The doctor said the lymphnode on the left side was slightly swollen but since this hasn't changed in a year it was nothing to worry about.  I keep thinking it's something horrible which actually seems to make it worse.  The dentist said it was TMJ but he didn't perform an Xray.  Is there a definitive test for TMJ like an x ray?  

[GTP]

the area below my ear.. I guess the jaw area has been feeling very weird. It doesnt neccesarily hurt to a point of infection but it does feel swollen. My right ear feels full in the mornings and the fullness slowly goes away throughout the day. I have seen an ENT numerous times and I recently got ear tubes. ( December 2007)he says my ear is not infected. I dont what else to do.

[shelberta]

Even though it is difficult for someone who works a lot of hours like me, reducing/quitting caffeine helps tremendously with TMJ symtoms.  I started drinking coffee again recently and all of my symptoms came back - same as everyone's symptoms above.  I'm quitting caffeinated coffee starting tomorrow.

[mommyntheoc]

The cavity below my right ear lobe is tender when pushed

Directly below the cavitity, there is a hard medium sized muscle (?) (I can move it when I move my jaw with my head tilted upward when trying to "wiggle" my ears) that is enlarged on my right side, not on my left. Massaging it does not make it softer, just sore.

Just below that, I can feel a small lymph node and around that area and a bit more towards the trachea, I constantly feel like I have something pushing in on my throat making it hard to swallow much of the time. Massaging causes drainage from the below ear lobe cavitity area, but then it enlarges from massage and feels more intrusive on swallowing afterwards.

Also moving the lower back tongue muscle in the throat can cause this "blocked throat" feeling for days or weeks.

When I pull my jaw forward on the right side, I have to swallow from my sinus draining down the right side throat.

I ONLY have diagnosed sinus infections on the right side, along with bloody noses ONLY on the right side (one would not stop and I ended up with a balloon catheter in my sinus for a weekend).

The hearing in my right ear deep inside seems drowned out compared to my left ear hearing.

I randomly throughout the day, even while sitting, visually see the whole room start turning in a circle around me. It is very dizzying, but then I panic and it stops when I close my eyes (though I still feel like I'm spinning with my eyes closed) and reopen and it is normal again.

I also have those bright pinpoint dots appear in my vision just recently. I'm wondering if there is some blood flow blockage to my eyes?

I didn't until just now realize these things could all be related...my jaw has painfully popped a few times over the years in my ear...severe pain, then it felt much better. I DID have braces for 4 years and I feel like those may have messed with my jaw alignment.

My first bloody nose in my life was in very early 2003.

My first dizziness, ear and sinus pain began in 2003 when I moved from moist and warm southern CA to dry and cold Idaho in winter. Then over the ensuing months, the throat pressure, nose and ears worsened at such a slow rate I wondered if I was imagining the progression in symptoms.

I saw a doc in summer 2004 when I could no longer walk without falling over. He diagnosed an inner ear infection and sent me home with Flonase.

In 2005, I was put on antibiotics for a sinus infection with eustachian tube inflammation (not visually confirmed, just diagnosed based on symptoms and areas I was showing him were affected on throat sides and below ear lobe).

My GP ordered a sinus x-ray in 2006, no polyps or infection at that point were seen (this was post antibiotic course for sinus infection in right cavity).

Just saw an ENT for the bloody nose catheter removal about 8 months ago and was told he didn't see anything abnormal except that my sinuses must be the cause of the bleeding from visual inspection. He said that my deviated septum (which has been corrected previously 13 years ago) was causing uneven air flow and there is TOO much air going through my right side, which causes the sinus to dry out and bleed.

Last week, I had my first bloody nose since the ENT visit and my symptoms are full blown in my throat, ears, etc right now - making me think the two are connected. I only look into how to fix this when the symptoms are unbearable. Our insurance requires jumping through so many hoops and by the time I have described this a million times, and still gotten no answers, I just give up - I've been doing that now for 6 years. Just seems like the hearing in that ear is getting worse.

I'm only 28 years old. I'd like to not be deaf from not knowing what to have my doctor possibly diagnose and look at...any ideas from professionals out there who are familiar with these symptoms or issues?

[glassjailer]

After reading this whole thread, I was thinking two things.

I have a disorder called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. I googled pain in my lower ear/neck jaw, and found this link. I am wondering how many POTS symptoms could be linked to the pain and swelling under my jaw/ears. POTS causes dizziness, swollen glands...among other things...  One thought is to research POTS and eliminate it as a possible cause of your illness.

Another thought... Who is smoking, eating dairy, living in a high humidity clime? Has anyone had interior jaw chiropractic work done? How about Rolfing?
All these things I think could contribute significantly to this swelling, fullness, and pain.
My amateur med thoughts

[tamantha22]

Hi I have had constant ear fullness, popping, cracking, and pain that went straight across one ear to other making my throat hurt, Doctor put me on a round of antibiotics and 12 day of strong predisone ,It didnt help still same problems, so I went in and had tubes put in also was told i had eustation tube dysfumction, Anyway the pain across my throat went away , but now my right ear hurts and when i swallow it hurts in my ear. Went back to doctor for follow up and results of ct scan of sinusus , was told i have a deviated nasal septum 6 weeks of nose spray, if that doesnt work i will have to have septum surgery, hoping that and allergy testing will stop my ears from all the noices and pain and unclog my left ear. has anyone had septum surgery and if yes did it help your eustation tube dysfunction?