Ear pain and fullness with headaches and neck pain

[Mels22]

I was wondering, does anyone have ear pain without any ear problems?
I have been checked out by Neuro, ENT and GP and NOTHING. I'm wondering if I have TMJ but I don't know.
Here are my symptoms...
Right ear pain
Right ear fullness/ringing
Pain behind right eye
spot headaches on right side
grinding teeth at night
stiff neck - going into my shoulders

I had an MRI/MRA back in Oct and all it showed was chronic sinusitis which I am being treated for by my ENT however he knows the pain is not coming from my ear. I am worried. Could this be an aneursym? I know a tumor or something like that would have showed on MRI. I've heard horror stories about aneurysms in carotid arteries and next to ear. I'm terrified of dying from one. Does this sound like that? Should I have another test? I am going to see a TMJ specialist in March but I feel I can't wait that long and sadly my birthday is tomorrow and I just want to know what is wrong with me! If anyone could help I would be more than greatful. Does anyone know about TMJ or aneurysms?
I would appreciate it...THANKS and good luck to all of you!

[ZachBrady]

HI it sounds just like tmj...been there, also I'm in the Dental field.  Your regular Dentist should be able to tell you without going to a specialist.  You also can tell by looking at the tops of your teeth and seen if the cusps are getting worn down.  They will have no points and smooth. it sounds like when you sleep your jaw is resting on the right side more, so that is why you have more presure on that side.  all you'll need is a fitted night splint, and you should feel better right away. ear pain is usually associated with tmj. good luck.

[txtony]

im sorry in your first post i did not read you already had an mri/mra done. mra images internal carotid arteries in the brain, that would have definitely showed an brain aneurysm. mri would have showed, avm,tumor,cyst,cancer,
meningiomas,etc..., if all that is worrying you really is dying from an aneurysm, relax you dont have it, yes i agree on horror stories, but youve tested. so relax enjoy life

[Mels22]

Hi, do many people with tmj have localized headaches on one side?  Do they also have ear pain and pain behind the eye?  I find these symptoms weird for tmj.  It worries me.  I just want to make sure it is nothing serious.  do you think it is?  Also I always have a stiff neck.
Thank you!

[Mels22]

Hi and thanks for your response!  Do you think though that an aneurysm could have developed in the last 3 months?  Or some other thing like an AVM?  Or could it have been missed on the test?  I'm just so scared cause the localized headaches, pain behind eyes, pulsatile tinnitus, and all that sounds like an aneursym or something bad doesn't it?  Do you think it could just be TMJ?  Its been 15 days now and I dont know what to do.  Please help and THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ZachBrady]

HI Yes TMJ on one side is very common. you may have this condition due to many reasons:
Your jaw may rest to the right when you sleep and cluching or grinding will make that side worse.
you may be a heavier chewer on the one side.
Or if you were ever in a accident and at any time hit your head or jaw, you can start to experience symptoms yrs later.
If you think you grind you must get a night guard asap before you wear down any tooth enamel....then you got big problems. good luck

[txtony]

well, the mri/mra would have shown a developing aneurysm, or avm. an arterial vein malformation gives off symptoms like a cva. so does an aneurysm, in any case the mri scan would have definitely picked it up. an aneurysm is a balooning of an artery in many levels, there can be a dissecting, that is whenit forms a pseudolumen,which fills with blood. in an mra, a intrinsic scan ,detailed, is taken of your artery and the fill of blood in the vessel, if any mentioned above would be the culprit, it would appear. the mri scan looks at the brain in detail, csf,sulcus, deviation any masses,changes,edema,fluid, old vs new cva, its amazingly detailed.  if you had a mass,bleed, a developing aneurysm it would have picked it up.  so iwouldnt worry about that.

[Barb]

My ear ringing / stiff neck / headaches started Christmas Day. I've been to my family MD 3 times. He says nothing is wrong with my ears and the pressure is OK. The ringing is unbelievable. A loud tea kettle sound  and is 100 % worse at night.I can only sleep with the TV on to help muffle the sound ) My headache has almost gone but the ears and neck are worse . As of 2/8/07 the pain is starting in the ears, was all on right, now equal. I'm still over a week away from my Eye/Ear/ Nose Dr. appt.
I've had relief from a bi-weekly Chiropractor ( headaches 95% and neck will improve for 2 to 4 days ).I had had a flu type problem  right before this occured. ( 57 yr. old female in good health )
Can anyone help?

[kdcpink]

Well Barb, I wish I had a solution for you.
You are not alone... I too came down with the same symptoms as you after what started like a flu type illness, turning into a migraine... I've had headaches/head pains, ear fullness, stiff neck as well continuing for the past 2 months.  CT Scan, MRI and allergy tests have shown nothing.  I asked my doctor if it could be a virus going around, and he says no.  Asprins, allergy meds and antibiotics have not helped.  When and if I find something that helps, I will post.
Meanwhile, my thoughts are with all of us who have these crazy symptoms with no answers.  Hang in there.

[ksportsmom]

I to am having the same symptoms.  Going back to the doc again today.  I did feel fluish befor all this came one 3 weeks ago.  but then again, this ear pain comes and goes when it wants to .  Someone told me that it is associated with my jaw not lining up right. I will most definetly talk to the doc on that one.  Good luck, will post something if it works!

[aog1]

It was interesting that I am not suffering these symptoms alone. I have been running and chasing for an answer to no such avail. I am currently suffering ear fullness and pain. My sinuses are somewhat better after 875mg Amox. I encountered a severe sinus infection 2 years ago.(CT scan finally confirmed that). Then still had ear troubles and the Ketek antibiotic didn't help ENT then gave me Levaquin and more steroids(pill & injection) At same time places a vent tube in my left ear. I immediately felt a horrible pressure in my right ear but strangly enough it would sometimes feel like my left ear was full. Then I get right ear tubed. So, for almost 2 years with the tubes and able to fly. Since this episode hit me 2 years ago the right ear always felt off, kind of full. About two months ago my left ear felt horrible when I awoke one morning. Bubbling in left ear. Something wasn't right. ENT wasn't sure if the tube was still there. The audiologist said sure it's there and there is some crusting. ENT gave me Ciprodex? ear drops and said call if not feeling better. I am so bummed because the same fullness that hit me 2 years earlier is now really bad again. I kept going to this ENT clinic, now next ENT at this clinic removes crusting and tube is out. Then he removes right tube and I have hole in ear that may or may not heal. The pressure is unbearable. Over 1 + 1/2 mos. and still fullness/pain in my right ear and sinus mostly but sometimes goes to left side. Not as bad since the antibiotic but very bothersome. It took 3 ENT's and a CT scan to tell me nothing is wrong and I still feel horrible. GPrac gave me the antibiotic. This has helped all of the horrible sinus pain and pressure significantly. I am still chasing for an answer about the right ear & neck pressure and worry to about something majorly wrong. I am receiving a splint this week and hope this will be it. I still have this horrible lightheadedness when I inhale through my nose. I go to allergist this weeek too. I am a little worried tho because it seems many other folks here have not found anything conclusive with an Allergist or TMJ and still have ear pressure issues. Oh I hope this will be the answer with the splint. I will let you know as I want to be able to feel normal again. Good luck to all and it's really helpful to communicate with other folks experiencing the same bothersome symptoms. P.S. Has anyone found a connection with Desert Storm? I was there and always wonder about the Gulf War causing any of this or was it the horrible reaction to Levaquin(antibiotic)?

[Hope001]

I have sleepiness; fullness mainly in the right ear, but also some in the left ear;
constant and loud tinnitus; fog brain; lightheadedness, dizziness, and swooning; headaches; and an overall pressure or tight feeling in my head.  I feel depressed and only want to sit when having these symptoms.  I look forward to going to bed at night to escape living with this.  Recently, I've begun to get up with a stiff neck.  Some days it will wear off and some days it stays with me.  I started these symptoms when I was in my mid 40's.  It started with dizziness.  I was sent to several doctors (GP, ENT, etc.) and then to Duke for tests of all kinds.  NO ONE was able to diagnose my problem.  They just told me to come back the next time I had a "spell."  For years, I have had "spells" that have varying symptoms from the above list.  Those symptoms used to last 10 minutes and go away.  Then they started lasting for an hour.  Then for 3 hours and continued to build until they now last for days (2 or 3 weeks).  All will go away except the tinnitus, which is 24/7, for awhile, but I live in fear of when the symptoms will return.  I have tried everything offered.  I have tried journaling to see if anything is consistent.  I have been to numerous doctors and dentists over the years (I'm now in my mid 50's.) and NOTHING helps.  It's been suggested that I may have Minere's Disease, vertigo, chronic sinusitis, eustachion tube problems, TMJ, allergies, middle ear problems, stress, menopause, etc.  Yet, when treated for any of these conditions, NOTHING has helped.  In fact, some meds have made it worse.  I have been doing extensive reading and found that increasing serotonin levels might relieve ear problems.  Since I knew that I tend to have low serotonin, I bought 5-HTP at the health food store and take one nightly.  That has held off the spells for awhile; however, I am suffering as I write.  With so many people having these symptoms, I think it must be something the doctors are unaware of at this point.  I wonder if there is a doctor out there reading our miseries.  

[SLP07]

HOPE - I am having the same type symptoms as you have described - I have just returned from a follow-up appointment with an ENT who specializes in hearing loss and balance disorders - they have done many tests--- he says that nothing is wrong with my ears although I have pain in and behind my right ear and thought I had an ear infection.
My next step is to go back to my GP because my potassium was low and see if I need to have my BP meds changed and take potassium. Also, the ENT mentioned that it may be a pinched nerve, nerve damage, or even that all the symptoms I have could be menopause related...and that the face, neck and ear pain could be an atypical migraine. So I do understand how you feel. Maybe some of this info might help you, too.  

[Ninjarick]

It seems that a lot of other people from all walks of life including myself have
this similar problem to some degree some more severe than others.
I have searched several different forums on the net and see the same story
which is referred ear pain , neck and or head stiffness and pain and a myriad of
other symptoms in each case the patient is seen by his GP given a course of antibiotics the pain never goes away is then sent to an ENT or dentist so forth
and so on . So far there hasn't been one positive diagnosis  and in some cases
dentists have referred patients to oral surgeons for needless wisdom tooth extraction. While I'm not a medical doctor I can see there is a major problem
with the medical profession in not treating the patient properly because I hate to
say it but the medical profession has in this century turned into a billion dollar
money making business. I have some of the same symptoms on and off since January
and the only  treatments that seem to help are alternative practices such as
acupuncture and ear candling  they seem to work for me the only problem with my
symptoms is I live in a very damp weather climate in the winter time  even when the temp is in the 50's it feels cold soon as my neck gets cold the symptoms start
when the temp gets warmer or i've had my acupuncture  session I feel like I never had this problem.  MY acupuncturist feels there is a weakness on the right side of my neck structure that is radiating up through my jaw and right ear when she inserts the the acu needles on that side the pressure ceases but the next week if the temp drops  i get the fullness back in my ear also if my wife does an ear candling session on me I can be pain free for a week at the beginning my GP put me on penicillin and vicodin in fact he gave me enought vicodin  for three weeks that was a horror show cause I wan't sure if the pain had left or not thank god I didn't become dependant that's all dr's know how to do medicate , mask the problem or cut something out in surgery they treat the symptoms not the patient. We all need to do some research and wake up  Western medicine is keeping us sick and making Dr's rich .

[Hope001]

Thank you for your thoughts on this problem.  Blood pressure is something I have thought of, but have been told by the doctors, on several different occasions that I have near perfect blood pressure.  Therefore, I've not addressed that.  However, the idea of atypical migraine could very well be a possibility.  Migraines have been a part of my life for 30 years.  I cannot stand it when a medical person tells me that any symptom I have is "menopause related!"  That is a scape goat for them.  True, some symptoms are menopause related, but something of this nature is not!  Thank you for your words and response.  

[Hope001]

I appreciate your alternative medicine idea!  Acupuncture is something I've not tried, but am going to look into that.  I, too, have noticed that the weather could have something to do with this.  However, when I've journaled my spells, I see no coorelation.  I do, however, know that wind causes me problems.  You are so very right about the medical profession not knowing what to do other than medicate or take something out.  I have a bottle of diuretics in my cabinet now that have done me no good.  My ENT gave me those just because he was out of ideas.  I made up my mind not to call him about this again.  He hasn't a clue.  Thank you for your thoughts and response.  Misery loves company!

[Ninjarick]

I'm glad I can be of some help I have a lot of compassion
for anyone going through this type of pain. To say that
it's unpleasant doesn't quite capture the torture that it causes
but anyway I notice now that the weather is warmer where I live
and although I lost my job which was a big source of stress
I no longer feel the ear and jaw pain for over a week now which
for me is better than winning the lotto. I do feel you should try
the acupuncture they will get to the root of the problem  also
if your already seeing a chiropractor adjusting your neck will
also help.

[Hope001]

I'm sorry about your job!  But glad you are feeling relief from your ears!  Maybe the job was the problem!!!!

[Trishlynn71]

Anyone having ear fullness WITH side neck pain under that ear...horrible..driving me nuts!  MRI tomorrow!  Will let you know.

Trish

[lindrellc]

has any1 read up about the canida yeast overgrowth thing its awfull the symptoms it can cause. Ear fullness, dizziness, siff sensation or pressure in the neck, depression, allergic symptoms, seizure type symptoms, migraine, general headaches, fungal nail infection, hormonal problems, l erratic vision the list is endless!

[prayer1]

I'm 32 years old. I have suffered with ear fullness, pain, foggy head, feeling like my brain moves side to side inside, when I'm standing. I feel as if my body is rocking inside (but know one sees that) but I feel that way. I do have shoulder and neck pain and pressure in those ares. I never had dizzy spells just feeling foggy or whossy feeling. ENT thought. I had miners disease. I check out ok on that. as well with alot of other testing. I do work have 3 kids and married. I miss alot of work do to this can't get disablity due to know dignosis and family just listens to me. I have know life it seems like know more. I know 4 years ago I was normal I know what that feels like. So, I know something is going on. I do also have tmj using a mouth guard and that does not help me. I do still use it though. I have had these symptoms for over 3 years now. and they are getting worse. I do go Aug 14 to have surgery on my sinuses to be cleared. I hope that helps but Doc. don't think so, but were trying it any ways. Blood pressure good when through a tilt table test as well, surgar and insulin good, b-12 was low but I take drops for that and b-12 ok know. Any ideas let me know. I'll keep all of you updated.

[beenie621]

I have also been suffering for 2 months with fullness in the ears, neck pain, dizziness (and some jaw pain too... especially this one spot right underneath the ears... holy cow!).  I've been to an ENT who prescribed steroids for six days and Nasonex, but she did say that it could take several weeks to clear up.  She has told me that this was caused from a flight that I took back in late May.  The tiny tubes that connect your inner ear with your sinuses can "collapse" under pressure. Normally they pop back open, but mine did not.  And no amount of chewing, yawning or blowing your nose is going to "un-pop" the ears.
Also going to a chiropractor who is helping with the jaw and neck pain. All this is connected. So hopefully both types of treatment will work.

[junquete]

I've been going through this for over 15yrs now. Family thinks I'm hypochondriac doctor won't even give me t3's for the pain my throat is always swollen on one side.
Done the gammit of allergy tests, ear docs, eye problems-floaters, ear aches from hell neck and jaw swollen all the time, headaches. reading all of these pages has actually given me some relief! I asked my doctor about the relationship of my ear face and neck pain and he says he's never heard of the relationship between bad teeth and all these symptoms. I have extremely painful teeth and am ready to have them all pulled. Can't afford it but willing to go through it some how. I'm going through hell and have for close to fifteen years and eat tylenol ones like it's candy! I go to emergency when the neck and face swell so bad I can't take anymore- three times now in ten months! They give me nasal spray, ear drops usually thirty to fifty bucks at a time over and over again.  It's so much pain and tonight is hell. I'm so swollen that my customers sand coworkers  see it in my face and ask about it all the time. I turn red very easily too. Haven't seen that one mentioned much here. I'm at the point tonight where I can barely turn my head to the right. I was told back i 1980 about tmj thing but he said it was the disease of the eighties and wanted  to put implants of some sort into my jaw. At that time we had no money and I wasn't really all that eager to be a guinea pig. So I've let it go and  been told over the past  years i have chrons disease, irritable bowel, rheumatoid, lupus, and the latest one a couple of years ago is MS. I haven't had the ct scan but I'm sure that's not my problem. What I am becoming very aware of is my teeth are involved. I have always since childhood had bad teeth and after each baby they got worse.(thankfully only two)  I have a couple of teeth that are giving me a lot of trouble and feel like all there is left in them is filling and are extremely sensitive to anything.
I also know how much I clench my jaw now because of the pain. But the pain causes the clenching and the clenching causes the pain!
BUT all this reading tonight has really given me a light bulb over my head. I do need to see the dentist and really think that my reality will be dentures in a year or two. Hopefully having  a full set of teeth that all fit together will offer some relief. I may be completely on the wrong track but I'm seeing a pattern here. I've had the tubes in my ears so many times I just gave up. I'm fifty now and think that's a little late to be needing the tubes in my ears. My hearing is muffled and they have blamed allergies for that. I can see some of it there but I've been suffering way too much and way too long to be treated with ear drops and nose sprays. I know I sound cynical at this point but I just don't know where to turn to next.
I have no idea what i expect to hear from this rant but it sure feels good to know I'm not crazy! There really are other people going through similar problems and that I can see that chasing up the ear nose and throat problems may be the wrong direction. But thank you all for posting your problems and  shedding a little more light in my neighbourhood!~junquete

[Cbough]

I too am having problems with ear pain, stiff neck, jaw pain, sinus pain and it all started with a fever and flu like symptoms.  I am scheduled for a root canal on Thursday.  I will let you know if it has all been related to my teeth.  My dentist told me that the root of this tooth is very close to my sinuses.  I felt like I had a sinus infection and an ear infection.  The fever was two days after I had a crown put in.  I think the dentist may have stirred something up that was lying dormant in there.  I hate root canals but I hope that is what is causing all of this!

[bubbles07]

I too experience this pain pressure on a daily basis.  My doctor(s) don't know what it is.  All of them stem back to TMJ but MRI is normal.  One doctor said its a dislocated jaw.  I don't know anymore.  CT of Sinuses are normal.  I've had sinus surgery.  The second one I had to undergo because of a blow to my face.  My symptoms are as follows:

pain/pressure in ears - no infection
ear feels constantly on fire-no infection
when bone of ear is pressed on - pain all thru neck
behind eye - pressure and tight
entire jaw - pain and swelling
upon swallowing - feeling of choking
pain in shoulder-some burning
when placing finger slightly in ear and moving jaw-major cracking and popping of the jaw

This is all on left side.  Right side no symptoms.

Maybe it is TMJ and the MRI is wrong.  I don't know anymore.  Anyone have any answers?

I don't understand what is going on and more I don't understand why doctors, so educated today, cannot figure it out. Why so many of us have to suffer.  

[bubbles07]

[bubbles07]

I've tried to post a question to the doctor on this site, but have received no answer.

[mackgray7206]

Hi.  my symptoms are like yours....I too had sinus surgery which has not helped with the ear pain.  I have had 2 cervical fushions and believe that my ear pain comes from my neck injury.  I hurt in my ear behind my ear and in my face....I also have severe head aches that are one sided....Good luck to you...

[Andi K]

I have had many of the same symptoms listed above and thought I would provide an entry as a thought.  I have had left ear/jaw/neck pain for 2-3 years.  It usually sparks when I am starting to get sick.  I have seen 3 ENTs, an allergist and a neurologist;  I also started having headaches, tingling on the left side of my face and major eye twitching then pain behind my left eye.  I have also had shingles at least once maybe twice (a few have said that one episode didn't seem typical of shingles).  Nonetheless, the one time I am certain it was over my left eye.  So, as of now, I was told that this all may be the shingles virus or another type of virus reacting and living in the nerves in my jaw, ear, etc. (MRI, CT, etc. all showed nothing). I took Valtrex and it seemed to help right away.  I haven't had eye pain, numbness or a headache but my ear is still hurting!  Hopefully this may lead some of you to another direction for investigation.  Also, if you have any other thoughts for me...let me know!  Yes, it's miserable!  I am thinking maybe I have a few things going on at once.

Thanks!

[GreenhillDeer]

Question:
Over the past 5-6 weeks, I have had a dull earache in my right ear.  After seeing an ear doctor, I was told there is nothing wrong with my ear; I need to see my dentist for TMJ.  My ear quite hurting.  A week ago I began with a pain in my right temple.  Advil helped, but didn't take away pain completely.  Over the course of the week, one afternoon I experienced a fever (101.7 degrees, chills, hot, etc.) and that passed as well.  I have now determined that the sharp pain in my right temple occurs when I touch the middle of my top lip or rub my nose.  There is a very slight fullness in ear and behind eye on my right side.  No change in vision that I can detect.  As for TMJ, I do not have any pain in my jaw, can open mouth wide, eat, chew, etc. without pain.  WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH ME?   Please help.

[WOWMOM]

HELLO.  Many of the symptoms listed are very familiar to me, and had I not ended up at an allergy specialist that recognized that my symptoms had very little to do with allergies, I would be totally, disfunctionally sick by now.  Look up any information you can get on Myofascial Pain Disorder (MPD) because many of the people with TMJ, neck pain & stiffness, head pain at one side of head or eye, or ear, sinus congestion or post nasal drip, bad headaches, sensitivity to cold, etc.  could be suffering with this "disorder".  Eventually, you may have a headache that never goes away, and you think it is sinus related because you have the congestion, and you feel sick, but it is the disorder that makes you sick feeling.  Tired beyond belief, nauseated, sensitive to odors like chemicals, perfumes, cleaners, petroleum products, etc?  Here's the catch...most doctors do not recognize, on know about, or understand this illness.  Try to call around & find one that does.   Some of the pain management centers kind of "get it", and offer Lidocaine shots, which help a bit with the neck pain.  But what really works is DRY NEEDLING (similar to acupuncture but focused on the Trigger Points that are causing all the pain & symptoms) and Manual Trigger Point release, which is NOT massage, but very purposeful manipulation of these Trp's(trigger points).  Daily stretching as instructed by a specialist, or Physical Therapist versed in MPD, and trigger point release.  Also, pain related problems like Plantar Faciitis, hip pain & tightness, Knees locked, & other unexplained tightness and/or pain.  I do not believe that any pain killers help this problem-drugs are not the answer here, and probably not any surgery either, because the fascia will still be "knotted up" after the fact.  One doctor gave me the answers after seeing my "Primary Care Doctor" for 3 months, and getting worse, and they do not even TRY to figure out WHY and WHAT is happening.  RUN!!  I know I will deal with this for the rest of my life but at least I know why, and some things I can do to heal myself, or at least relieve some of the symptoms.  A great site to see the many symptoms (about 147) of Myofascial Pain Disorder is:  www.sover.net/~devstar/Patient_Review.pdf   And just google it for other articles and medical publications.
This is lumped together with Fibromyalgia much of the time, which can exist in conjunction with MPD, but is most definitely different, but many people recognize the name "Fibromyalgia".  It may help you to find the "right" doctor.  Good luck!
Julie Fremeau

[WOWMOM]

Hey, especially you.  Please read my first comment a few minutes ago.  Try to find a doctor that understands Myofascial Pain Disorder because it sounds like you have been on the path that I started down 18 months ago, and I am a "Lucky One" because I (accidentally) ended up at an allergy specialist that had a lot of experince with this.  He became a specialist because of "30years of misdiagnosing patients that did not improve".  He just kept looking & pushing to help these people, until he has.   I have always been a fit, slim, healthy person, and after an injury 18 months ago, it was all down hill.  Just remember, everyghing in your body is "connected" and one area can cause symptons far from the cause or trigger.  Much luck to you!

[chipmunk226]

wow, i have a lot of these symptoms now. i am 28 and i have shoulder pain from a previous injury and had it checked out monday. the ortho specialist poked around my shoulder and said I have myofascial pain and two trigger points in my left shoulder.

since tuesday i developed blurred and 'strobe' like sensations in my eyes that lasted for about 2 hours and a dull headache. i took my blood pressure and it was elevated at 141/101. i never has blood pressure issues before. i went to the doc the next day and reported that my headache feels like my whole head is filled with fluid and i have shoulder and neck pain. she treated me for an atypical migraine and then gave me water pills for the blood pressure and gave me an order for an MRI which i will have tomorrow. i have a family history of aneurysms and my brother has a borderline chiari.

i never mentioned to my doc the diagnosis of MPD b/c i didn't think it was connected, i will now :)

my question is with the ortho spec poking around, could she have caused the symptoms I have now? i just started getting ear fullness on my right side [opposite side to my previous shoulder injury] today, i feel fatigued, feel like i have a permanent weight on my back, neck and shoulders and have maliase. my headache has reduced some but still have a feeling of fullness around my face.
i really can't rest or take it easy because i have 3 boys, ages 8,2 and 1 and my husband is currently overseas. :-/


i also will be starting PT tomorrow, so I will be sure to tell them of my new symptoms. feeling like this really sucks.

[JoeCoffee]

You hit the nail on the head. Myofascial Pain Disorder! I was just getting ready to post the same message that you did. I've been through most of the pain and problems that I just got done reading about and if I waited for my GP to figure this out I would never get any better.  Thanks to a therapist who specializes in Myofascial Pain Disorder I am getting much better. The "hot spots" or trigger points on my upper back are gone. This ordeal involved my teeth, sinuses, ears, neck muscles and the muscles of my upper back. Stress also plays a HUGE part in this syndrome.  A regular doctor doesn't put all this together like a therapist does. I still have stiff, painful muscles on the sides of my neck.  The  fullness and ringing in my ears is getting much better. This is caused by muscles and nerves tightening up and pulling on parts of the inner ear (Eustachian tube) Take a look at a book called "Travell and Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. The Trigger Point Manual". Just sit in a bookstore and flip through and you will see how all these problems are linked and caused mainly by stress and muscle spasm. Part way through my therapy I actually started taking yoga classes so I could learn to simply relax my muscles, especially the muscles in my neck and upper back. Give this a look and some thought. I hope this helps.

[dawnp30]

It should be considered that there are many symptoms of TMJ disorder.  Everyone is different, therefore the disorder can and does manifest itself in a variety of ways.  Although this is by no means an exclusive list, the following are symptoms a patient with TMJ disorder might experience.
You do not have an aneurysm. There usually are no signs.

Eye Pain and Eye Problems:

Bloodshot eyes
Blurring of vision
Eye pain above, below and behind eye
Pressure behind eyes
Light sensitivity
Watering of the eyes
Head Pain, Headache Problems, Facial Pain:

Migraines
Forehead pain
Cluster headaches
"Sinus Type" headache
Hair and/or scalp painful or sensitive to touch
Headaches at the back of the head, with or without shooting pain

[dawnp30]

I myself worry about all the same problems above. Aneurysm has no symptoms, though tumors do. Even a CT scan of the brain would have showed something. MRI breaks things down and looks deep. CT is for diagnosis. If you are worried and want relief, have a CT done of your brain. Go to your local ER and tell them you have terrible headaches and want a CT of your brain. But I can assure this is all due to Chronic Sinusitus, TMJ or even wisdom teeth. Most people do not know that certain teeth go into your sinus cavities. Therefore it can cause some problems. Minor ones. I experienced the same and trust me, for the first time in my life it caused some major worry and painc disorders.

[RWENGERT]

Hello Hope, I beleive my wife had wrote to you. I must say I am so sorry for what you have been going through all these years. When she told me that she had come across your story I felt compelled to write to you.I have read your story and it is simply amazing to see we suffer from the same symptoms.Recently I have had the same thing happen to me where I was not getting any answers that seem to have made any sense.I was told I had soft tissue injury and acid reflux which I thought was absolutely a joke! That was by an ENT who had taken a CT scan only on the left side and for that purpose only and although nothing showed that indicated muscle problems but did show a swallen lymphnode it was his opinion that I had acid reflux and suggested I by over the counter acid reflux meds and I would be fine I assured him he would not be seeing me again!! I know what acid reflux is and although it can cause simular symptoms and can be very dangerous I knew damn well that was not the problem.Anyone who's had acid reflux knows it causes an acidic fluid that comes up from the throat area and burns in which you can taste but affects the chest over all. It's common sense along with common knowledge.So I decided to take it upon myself to do my own research on the internet and consort w/ my family Doctor a little.One thing I had going for me was past experience w/ a similar medical problem.For years I would pass out for no reason and have bursts of energy then all of a sudden get real tired and would even have trouble w/ my memory and have trouble maintaing weight just all kinds of things and these spells would last for a couple of weeks before I would recover.At the age of 17 I started producing kidney stones and for years I kept switching doctors who just kept dismissing everything.Then at the age of 25 finally a doctor said to me Robert you have the begining stages of chronic renal failure and you calcium is way to high and your phosporus is way to low so im sending you to an Endocrinologist.It was then that he discovered I had what was called Hyperparathyroidism and was sent to the West Reading Hospital where the Director of surgons removed one of the parathyroids.In knowing this from the past it was then that I decided to take matters into my own hands and do my own research and talk w/ my family doctor.Now I don't beleive thats the problem, however I do beleive I have what could possibly be thyroiditis of some sort.There are different ones.But the symptoms are all but dead on! And most likely I think. I mean they will cause pain in the throat,ears on the left,right and/or both sides and the jaw! It can cause swelling of the neck along w/ neck pain like a stiff neck,memory loss,chronic fatigue, weight loss and gain,urinating problems even constipation.It is no joke! And is a very serious matter if left untreated.Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is a more serious one.But respectfully all thyroid problems are serious ones.I am now going back to the Endocinologist that I saw in 1995 because he saved me the first time and refused to dimiss anything! There are tests that you can take for the thyroid such as a thyroid scan and fine-needle aspiration biopsy among broad spectrum blood tests and now commonly used are blood test to check the levels of thyroid hormones in order to diagnose symptoms of other thyroid problems such as Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism or even Hyperparathyroidism all of which are dangerous.Blood tests can tell you if they are normal,overactive or underactive or if there is another gland problem.The thyroid gland uses iodine to prduce thyroid hormones.Two most common are thyroxine(T4) and triiodothyronine(T3). T3 effects the metabolism of cells.There is so much information out there on the internet that we can use to try and help ourselves and I suggest that you look these things up for yourself to become more aware of your symptoms and better educate yourself.I really think these finding will put you on the right track and help you w/ you problem. I truely beleive that one of these could be your problem and upon your research present it to your family doctor or even call an Endocrinologist yourself and explain your symptoms. I think this should have been presented to you before and I'm a little surprised that it wasn't. These things can really reek havoc on the body and mind.You wouldn't beleive what they can do to an individual.I'm being very serious about this! Please research these things! I truely wish you the best of luck, for I am in the process of doing the same thing and im not wasting any time doing so either! Please Hope001 let me know how you make out.

[wewillwinit6times]

I too have been suffering with similar symptoms over the last two months and in a small is a welcome relief that I know others are having problems the same as me.

The symptoms related are as follows:

Pulsating, tingling feeling in the right side of the head just above the right ear.
My right ear over the past couple of weeks feels hot and has a fullness to it and needs to be popped but never lasts.

These symptoms are not persistent which leads me to think it is nothing life threatening and when I'm out or doing stuff, talking to people I never have it which would lead me to think that it could be stressed related and I don't have it first thing when I wake up. I do suffer from depression and anxiety and also have a disorder called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome after an accident which causes constant pain in my right leg, back and neck and do suffer from stiffness around the back and neck, it is a disorder in the secondary nervous system which is where the pain we get is triggered from and usually the nervous system calms down after pain but with me it thinks it is constantly in pain.

Also the more I think about the related problems the worse it gets, earlier my Mum gave me a massage and it totally went but as soon as I said to her, Mum the feeling in my head and ear have gone guess what it started coming back.

I am seeing the doctor tomorrow so will come back with the answer.

Take care everyone and try not too worry.

[wewillwinit6times]

Well I visited the doctor who also thinks it is stress and anxiety, she has upped my anti-depressants to 75mg and I have found out that anti-depressants should be taken before bedtime as it will give you a good nights sleep which thus will leave you better rested and more relaxed throughout the day.

It has started to work already, I am sleeping much better now and am getting an extra two and a half hours sleep from what I was sleeping, the burning ear sensation has worn off but am still getting slight palpatations in the side of the head but not as bad as it was and another thing I have noticed which I get when I'm anxious is I start shaking my left leg well that has stopped now, my body has also been tense these last couple of months which has heightened my pain in my neck, back and legs but have felt that I do feel more relaxed in myself but still not 100%.

I do hope I have been of some help and wish you all the best for the future.

[CarisaSand]

Like many of you have said, it is comforting to know that there are others out there struggling with the same things as me.

I was absolutely terrified when last year  I woke up in the middle of the night with loud pulsatile tinnitus in my left ear.  Irom that point on I had constant (often daily) headaches/neckaches and this low bass beating in my left ear at night.  Often, by morning, my headaches would be worse and the beating in my ear would turn into a roar.  Sometimes throughout the day I would have dizzy or lightheaded spells.  Sometimes, I would have shooting pain that would run like lightening from the back of my head on the lefside to the tippy top.  Then, it would go away within a couple minutes.  All of this left me exhausted and concerened.  It changed my usually happy outlook on life.  I started having strict bedtime rituals complete with pillows to keep me in certain positions.  I stopped drinking any alchol..wine, beer, anything for fear that it would intensify the daily headaches.  I became scared/anxious. I have a beautiful little three year old boy that I desperately want to watch grow into a man and I really want to be a grandmom some day too.  But, all I had were thoughts of certain tragic untimely problems/endings.

So, I went to my primary, the ENT, the Neurologist.  I had an MRI and MRA.  I even had an echocardiogram. All of these tests were last year.  But, there was no abnormality found aside from a teeny tiny benign pituitary tumor that had been diagnosed when I was 21 (I'm 37 now).  So, the thought was perhaps it was a Sinus Infection or maybe Migraines since the tumor played with my hormones OR...maybe even just Stress.

Well, that was last year and in the meantime, I decided to have my tumor removed this past September thinking that would take care of all my problems and get my hormones all back in order.  But, as fate would have it, after making it through recovery from the surgery and being told it was successful on all levels, my headaches/neckaches and pulsatile tinnitus are back.  This time, the pulsatile tinnitus is worse.  IT is CLEARLY my heartbeat.  I mean it's like I'm listening to my heart beat through a stethoscope when I lay on my leftside at night.  On my right side, I don't hear it so much and during the day, I don't notice it either.  But, at night I do and it sets me into a tail spin of anxiety.  I feel like the Drs are all going to tell me "well, you had all the tests last year and there was nothing wrong...so you're fine, take a xanax, it's all stress."   Geeze, you think I'm stressed?  Well, yea maybe so given that I know my body and I know this isn't right and the people that I'm coming to for help (yea, you doc) can't give me an answer.  Of course, after something tragic happens I'm sure they'll say....Oh yea, that's what that was, I'm so sorry.

So, I decided to take myself to an Orthopedic (god bless my ppo plan) to get checked out for the neck/headaches.  She told me all of this could be Myofascial/trigger point related.  It's somewhat hard for me to imagine that muscle tension could be all that it is.  But, I'm going to try the PT.

Please tell me if someone else out there has had similar pulsatile experience, been told it's Myofascial, and has had success with PT????  Please tell me that there are folks out there living long, healthy, productive lives with these same symptoms????

Thank you

[yeti105]

I am glad yet sad that i have found others with the same symptoms that my 15 y/o daughter has. We have had many tests and been to PC doc about 5 times, pediatric neurologist, psychiatrist adolescent, MRI w/and without contrast, all of the doc's say "oh it's cuz your depressed" duh!! i would be depressed too if i were 15 and had a HA for over 8 mths, cheez at 41 if i get a HA for a day i go nuts, of course i have other pains that magnify any pain. I am so worried about her, i tell PC doc about HA up to pain level 10, dizziness, "flutter" behind eyes and across from ear to ear, L eye protruding from socket area(of course when the protruding eyeball is going on we can never get into our PC doc,so she basically thinks i am crazy mom), pressure, jaw/teeth pain, there is more but like i said when i write all this down all the PC doc says is "gee R when i read this i think that you are dying" and just blah, blah, blahs us out of office. I get so angry with all of these "professionals" i am a disabled nurse and i want EVERY healthcare worker to go through some kind of illness that causes unbearable pain, that nobody addresses, and an illness that nobody can seem to find an answer to and just push them into a corner and for about a month (that is long enough) so that they have difficulty continuing to work, take care of family, pay bills, have outside activities or anything that they would not want to change in their lives due to illness or pain that can be figured out. That would surely change their opinions and hopefully teach them to look into things more or be more sympathetic. I'm sorry i am being so negative but like i said i am angry for my child and myself.Thanks for listening.yeti105

[mofo96]

You would think with so many people having these symptoms that doctors wouldn't think we were crazy!  I too have been suffering from ear fullness in right ear, slight "off balance"/dizziness, neck aches, and just and overall "crappy" feeling because I don't have a desire to do anything.  I am, or was, a very active person, and since this hit me 7 weeks ago, I haven't been able to do anything.  I have had CT scans, MRI, etc., and they all say everything is normal.  Many doctors think its "in my head", meaning I am making this up!!!  I want to scream - because I do have anxiety over this and its because I am not right!  Anyways, I am sluggish  and try to get through my day as best I can.  The only things I look forward to are doctor visits, but nothing ever comes out of them.  I am going to try chiropractic therapy, as I have heard it does help a bit.  The main thing is if I could just get this "fullness" in my ear to go away, I think everything else would go away too.  I feel that with my ear out of whack - everything is off balance which makes ordinary, daily routines, hard to do!  Anyway, good luck to everyone suffering from this - hopefully we will all get through this, because I can't deal with this forever.  Thanks!

[Imaz]

Hi,

I'm glad I'm not alone.  I've had ear aches for the past two months and been feeling lightheaded as well as slight dizziness throughout my days.    I feel my eyes are out of wack and not as focus as they should be so my life has changed. Optimitrist said they were fine.  I initially went through an almost two episodes of veritgo as what the Dr's suspect it to be.  Ran the full blood works, CT scan etc which was normal.  Refered me to an ENT which looked in my eyes and sinus and claimed they were fine.  Normal Dr's refered to it as stress and anxiety so from that point on there was'nt much they would do.  I thought to myself, I know my body is not rite. I've ceased driving for two months now and really depend on my wife to help me with everything I use to do for them.  My ear also needs popping all the time as if I just got off a plane.  Popping the ear reliefs the pressure I feel with the headache slightly.  I and a few Dr's suspect it to be maybe a passing infection somewhere which hope to go away, but no one prescribed me with any antibiotics!  What I have remembered after reading about TMJ on this forum, my dentist told me last October when I went for a scaling that my teeth are warned out at the back!  Dentist then asked me if I grind my teeth during sleep, I said I dont think so.  He said it shouldnt be a problem, though I'm thinking back to myself is this TMJ? which has been causing all my symptoms?  I do have tightness/stiff neck feeling for at least a month now.  Let me know what you think.

I'm a healthy 28yr Male, a father of a 6months old son.

I wish you all luck with your problems.

[Rick789]

Hi mofo96 and others, I have been having similar dizziness/off-balance issues for the past 2 months.  First noticed it when I was in a large mall, felt like I was going to faint.  Only lasted for a little while, then came back again the next week and it was hard to concentrate on any one thing in particular like at work.  Went away for a week, then I went on vacation and when the airplane took off I thought I was gonna pass out in my seat!  Felt dizzy/unsteady the whole time on vacation.

When I came back I saw a doc and they put me on antibiotics for a sinus infection, which helped for a few days but then the dizziness came back.  I noticed it would be really bad at large stores for some reason.  After some CT scans, heart and blood pressure monitors, blood work, etc, they haven't found anything majorly wrong and determined it was a blocked eustacian tube and told me to take Claritin and Flonase nasal spray.  I've been on that for 3 weeks and it's only partially helped.  Now the dizziness/imbalance only bothers me when I am walking around alot or moving my head/neck alot.  Don't feel like I'm going to pass out but it's still an unpleasant feeling.  They put me on Paxil because I said it got worse with anxiety, but I don't think that's the main cause.

I finally got them to refer me to an ENT specialist for hearing, balance, and inner ear testing next week.  My hearing has been fine the whole time, just the dizzy feeling.  Also I notice sometimes after I eat it gets worse for a few minutes or even a couple hours, anyone have that happen immediately after eating?  Anyone know how the eating would be related if it really is just an inner ear problem?  I'll let everyone know how the ENT appointment goes next week.

[mofo96]

Sorry that you are dealing with this too, I totally know the "off-balance" feeling.  When I first got this around new years, it appeared to be a cold with an ear ache feeling.  I had dizziness and jitteriness spells to go along with this.  I first was told to take Sudafed, and then told to take Mucinex-D.  After having bad experiences with those, my doctor gave me Allegra-D.  Well, after figuring out that the "-D" in these medicines were making me crazy because of the Pseudoephidrine, I quickly got off of them.  Every time I took them, I became very "jittery" and felt "hyper" but without the energy.  Needless to say, these didn't help out my ear "fullness" feeling and overall feeling weak/tired/sick etc.  Another doctor began to give me the "anxiety speech" and said that this is just a "bad" cold, and that I am driving this with anxiety. But I said to him, "how can I go from running/working out and consistently doing yoga to all of the sudden not being able to function properly at all!"  I was so mad at him!  I am very outgoing and just want to "feel" right again, but everything I do now is a struggle.

Anyways, at this point I still have the ear fullness/stiff neck/and "off balance" feelings.  The dizziness isn't as prominent as it was before, but my general "not right" feelings are still there.  I am seeing an ENT and so far he has had no explanations.  As I mentioned in another post, bloodwork and CT scans have come back fine.  I am waiting on MRI results (mainly of the head/ear), but have a feeling those will be normal too. I haven't gone down the antibiotic path, as doctor said I don't have an infection or anything. Someone at work said to see a chiropractor, that it was helpful for them, so that is my next step.  I was told I have TMJ, but have no idea how/if this is contributing - and if it is, why did it happen now.  Who knows!!!  

I wanted to ask you Rick789 about the claritin you took, was it the claritin-d, or the regular claritin?  I ask because someone told me to try that, but I wasn't sure if it would help/work or not (and I sort of had a bad taste in my mouth from those other "-d" medicines I took).  Also, what is your overall feeling of Paxil?  What drives me nuts is that they say we have anxiety and are making this worse.  Well no kidding Doc - when you are normal and then all of the sudden feel like **** and have no explanation, you would get anxiety too!!!  I do get anxiety, but it is because I am not right and this is ticking me off.  Anyway, let me know how the ENT goes and let me know your feelings about the claritin and Paxil.

I hope this is just a "bad cold" like everyone says, but when my husband got his seasonal cold, he was put right on antibiotics and was fine in a few days (drives me nuts!!!).  Wish everyone well and if someone finds something that helped them, let us know!!!

[Gardenia53]

It sounds like we all have many of the same symptoms. Just wonder if we all have the same thing or different ailments.  For me my problems started about 10 years ago. I just did not realize that they would come to tie in all together possibly. 10 years ago I started having stiff neck and headaches at the base of my skull almost on a daily basis. At times it actually felt like I was being choked around my entire neck.  I thought maybe it was caused from wearing my purse on my shoulder. I stopped that. After about 2 or 3 years I noticed that this occured mostly between the months of May to Oct and then nothing. I concluded that some how it was allergies. For the last few years I have not been too bothered till about 8 months ago.

On June 12 while doing dishes my ears plugged up. I heard a popping sound. I assumed they needed to be cleaned. Over the next 3 days I tried repeatedly to clean them. Finally went to my Dr. They cleaned them and said I had a lot of pressure and put me on Nasonex and Clariton. After 30 days with no improvement I went back. I have no vertigo but did have ringing in my ears mostly at night. The fullness at first felt like it was in both ears but seems to have settled mostly in my left ear. It feels like I have water in it and when I talk I feel a terrible vibration in my head. Many times I have to plug my left ear to control the vibration. I cannot sing or hum as this makes it worse. When I tap my teeth together it sounds like I have a microphone to my teeth. Everything is amplified.  I hear myself talking inside my head instead of on the outside. At times I can hear myself breathing inside my head.

I was finally referred to an ENT who found nothing wrong and referred me to an Audiologist who also found nothing wrong. He referred me to an Oral surgeon. While waiting for the appointment I went to see a TMJ specialist who said I have arthritis in my jaw and severe TMJ. He recommended a plan at $3,500 and does not accept insurance and made no guarantees. I kept my appt with the Oral Surgeon who said I do not have arthritis in my jaw. Said I have minimal TMJ.  He felt it was muscular. He designed a night guard for me which I was excited for as I thought this would correct my problem. Also put me on a mild muscle relaxor at bedtime and gave me mouth exercises to do for a month. Also told me to use both cold and hot compresses on my jaw. He sent me on my way. The night guard only made the problem worse. Both of my ears would be full and my bite would be off for about 2 hrs in the morning. After 2 weeks I stopped using it.

I started having massages for the muscles. No good! Then went to a Chiropractor. My insurance does not cover so I spent a fortune over the next 3 months with no relief. I should say starting in Aug or Sept my neck and shoulder aches and headaches at the base of my skull returned. Back to the Dr I went. Again he felt it was allergies and more allergie meds. They also put me on Prednisone. Did no good.

About 2 months ago I started having tingling and numbness in my hands and feet. Back to the Drs I went. I was sent for an EMG and now I am being sent to an Orthopedic Dr.  Seems this could be a pinched nerve affecting the area at my neck and around the ear. I hope that finally maybe he will find out what is wrong with me. 8 months I have now been suffering and like many of you it consumes my day. My mind is constantly on my ears. I think my family is getting tired of hearing it but if they spent one day in my shoes they would know how I feel. I cannot imagine living the rest of my life with this problem but so far I cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It is so frustrating going from Dr to Dr and no one knows for sure. It seems with so many of us with this problem that they would know what it is. Everyone seems to get the initial treatment...it must be allergies!

I have no doubt that I do have TMJ. I have popping and clicking in my jaw joints and maybe the neck and shoulder pain is that too. I am also using a cortisone creme on my jaw joints but that too has brought no relief to my stuffed ear. At times my head feels like I have a tumor the size of a grapefruit in there, and yes, I have had both a CAT Scan and an MRI and both were normal.  I will let you know if the Ortho Dr has a solution for me when I see him on 2-21-08

[Rick789]

Mofo96,

The Claritin I was told to take was just the regular one for allergies, not the -D one because the doc said taking that for a while can increase your heart rate alot.  The regular Claritin and Flonase has only helped a little after 3 weeks.  I rarely get the feeling that I'm going to faint or collapse like I did at first, but I still notice the off-balance feeling when walking or moving my head around.  I also just started the Paxil a few days ago and it takes 1-2 weeks to really start working they said.  I'd prefer not to be on it but they said it might help with the dizziness (not sure how).  I agree about the anxiety thing, I'm mostly anxious about why the dizziness won't go away, not that anxiety is causing the dizziness.  My ENT appointment is Thursday Feb 21st so I'll let you know how it goes.

[mofo96]

Hi everyone...  There was an earlier post (back in September) from WOWMOM about Myofascial Pain and Disorder.  I looked into this and think this may be a source of the pain and agony I am going through.  I say this because right before I began feeling these symptoms (which was around this past new years), I tore a muscle in my stomach doing yoga.  This happened around Dec. 5th, and put me on the sidelines for quite sometime.  At about the same time I thought I was beginning to recover from this (alot of ice and heat treatment), I began feeling the ear "fullness"/stiff neck/off balance symptoms that have been driving me nuts.  As I read about the Myofascial Pain on www.myopain.com, I began to see alot of what it was saying made sense.  I recommend scrolling up and re-reading the post from WOWMOM, and then googling myofascial pain and reading about it.  I am going to see a therapist this tuesday to discuss everything.  I will let everyone know what comes out of it, but in a nutshell - they basically attribute what I am going through to the stomach muscle injury I suffered.  My muscles tensed up and have never been properly treated.  They talk about trigger points that need to be worked on in order to relieve these symptoms.  Because they are muscle and tissue related problems, they don't show up in x-rays, mri's, cat scans, etc.  I have nothing to lose by going, so I will try it.  Will let you know!!!

[Rick789]

I went to a Vestibular Center to have my balance checked and they found that I had some imbalance between my left and right ear possibly causing my unsteadiness.  Didn't actually get to talk with a doctor, just a technician and physical therapist and they said it is probably a vestibular problem but wouldn't say for certain until I see a ENT doc.  I did some more research online and found something that sounds like it might be what I have, vestibular neuritis.  They gave me some balance exercises to do every day and I already have started to feel better.  Hopefully it goes away completely soon.

[JoeCoffee]

PLEASE READ THIS! Look at the posting by Mofo96 (Feb 17,08)and then read the posting byWOWMOM (Sept 20,08).  Then read the posting I put up on Oct 16, 2007. Almost every posting I've read here this morning sounds like Myofascial Pain Disorder. I was lucky enough to find a therapist who specializes in this problem.  The problem with going to GPs, ENTs Allergy specialists... is that they are very focused on their speciality and can't see the broader picture. Please google Myofascial Pain Disorder and/or MPD and/or trigger point release. The info that pops up WILL help most of you. The trick will be in finding a therapist who specializes in MPD. I went through all the doctors and test and meds to no avail. Finally a smart physical therapist realized what was happening and referred me to the "expert".  Good luck

[scottma]

Dear all:
       Many of your presentations are consistent with temporomandibular disorder. The symptomatology of TMD includes: chronic head ,neck ,upper shoulder, and orofacial pain.stuffy ear, tinnitus. tmj pain, tooth sensitivity to thermal stimulus, tooth mobility,dysmetria. Occlusal therapy,which includes occlusal appliance, occlusal equilibration, is highly effective for relieving tmd associated symptoms.However, occlusal therapy requires highly competent skill. You need to find a highly competent tmj specialist to deliver optimal results.Good luck

[ronmagicjuan]

I have the same symptoms, my left ear, pain in left temple, it started out as a flu, cold type, tingling, temor type in temple, out of sorts feeling , fluid feeling in ear and head, it is very terrifying been to the e.r. ,diagnosed with chronic sinnusitus,  cycled antibiotics worked for bout a week then it all returned, went back, cough syrups more antibiotics, helped for a week then all returned, man this is really scary, had ct scans came out normal, nothing seems to help if anyone , knows what it is please let us know! please!

[JoeCoffee]

This does sound like a sinus infection. I had similar problems.  My MD put me on antibiotics for a week. Things seemed to get a little better but after another week all symptoms were back and perhaps worse. I went to see my MD's assistant (Physicians Assistant) and she immediately told me that a week of antibiotics wasn't enough and she put me on two more weeks worth. That did the trick.  I felt (and still feel) so much better after the two week course. It's nice when the pain stops.  Good luck

[clair74]

I have just read through all these posts and can sympathise with everyone.
I have had severe ear pain for two and a half years now with endless bouts of sinus infections. I have had a number of diagnoses from TMJ to Tn.
I have had sinus scans which come up clear and MRI scans which also show nothing although it toook three scans for them to decide this as the first showed a suspected mass which they thought could be a schwanomma but turned out all clear.
I have been given all sorts of drugs to try and relieve the pain to no avail.
The pain is in my left ear and behind it and is the worst pain I can ever describe. I sit in the evening with a hot water bottle constantly as heat gives a small amount of relief.
The sinus pain is one sided severe pain in the temple and behind the eye strangely on the opposite side to the ear pain. Antibiotics kick it for a short while but it soon returns.
I feel the doctors not knowing what it is just try to palm me off with are you depressed questions and make me feel like they don't believe me.
If only they could swap places with even for five minutes.
Sometimes the pain is so bad just lifting my head off the pillow is hard.
I have now been told that it is referred pain from my neck as the MRI showed compressed discs and aa lot of swelling but I am sceptical this is the cause of the pain as I had a bad fall 7 months ago which could have caused the neck problem but have had the earpain for much much longer.
I could not believe that there are so many people out there with similar symptoms and yet nothing seems to be able to be done for us.
I feel like this pain is never going to stop and that this is how life is from now on. No-one should have to live like this.

[antman73]

wow this is good and bad, I too have a strange pain coming from deep in my left ear, its been 6 months and mri scan showed nothing serious, its the fact that the pain can be varied in its painfulness and its there all the time, I am only 35 and like some of you no one has come up with an answer, it drives me crazy it really does, my neck also hurts and sometimes my temple region but my dentist says not tmj, I just want some closure, as all you guys say above pain killers and high dose anti inflamms do nothing, what a nightmare we are all living in.... thanks antony.

[Instantkarma417]

I too am having similar things happen...  a few months ago, I had a bad ear infection which cleared up with antibiotics..Soon after, the pain and pressure returned. I went back to my ENT who said that my ears were great.. nothing wrong..he said that the pressure was bad because of my allergies and it was something that I had to live with.. I then went to another ENT and my GP who both agreed that it was a problem with my neck..I was given Naproxin and Muscle relaxers which helped and the pain went away..About two weeks ago.. same thing happened all over again. the pain in my ear and neck radiates  into my shoulder, I cannot even turn my neck to the right.. I went back to the ENT who said my ears were great, pop them a few times a day..Nothing..The pain has gotten worse, I have gone to a chiropractor with no relief.. the muscle relaxers do nothing. All of this pain in my head, face, neck, ear and shoulder is on the right side.. the left side had NO symptoms whatsoever.. I have had numerous ct scans on my head and sinuses in the past..but not for at least a year.. I am worried that I have some sort of tumor or something going on in my ear or head.. The pain and pressure is paralyzing.. I am only 31 and feel like my life is passing me by while i sit in pain.. it's miserable..I can't take it anymore. I am going to yet another ENT today, hoping that i get some sort of hope or reassurance that nothing serious is going on.. I hope that you all have resolved your issues.. and  I pray that mine go away soon.. I cannot function like this.

[solarcanon]

Hi everyone

To those who have already seen a western medical doctor and nothing is wrong, go see a eastern medical doctor hopefully from china
A Acupuncture doctor.(TCM, Traditional chinese medicine) Read up on Acupuncture, china has its own hospital for chronically ill people and they treat symtoms with needles. These doctors choose to move to canada and the u.s. and practice Acupuncture medicine.
find someone who is a medical doctor though, not just anyone
i had these symtoms, changed my diet to a "chinese cooling diet"
most people have internal heat and phlegm which is caused by eating
deep fried food, fatty food, being overweight, not expelling toxins by not having regular bowel movements, so eating a cooling healthy diet and see a acupuncture will help you, it helps 95 percent of people so it is worth it people. don't pop tons of pills or sit and be depressed.
I had pain and a feeling of pressure behind my eyes, ears and sinus
this was heat phlegm, i changed my diet, only cooked vegetables, fish and chicken (no pork,red meat, )spinach, no deep fried, no coffee, no black tea, no alcohol etc. If you type in cooling foods, warming food, acupuncture you will see what to eat and not eat

soak your feet in hot water up to your ankles once or twice a day, put some sea salt in it, these releases toxins and increases your circulation, is half your body hot and hlaf cold? My legs are cold and head is hot, this helps my circulation as well and to reieve the hot head part.
IT REALLY WORKS!!
email with any questions
***@****

[vancouvergirl111]

Hi there,
This forum freaked me out.
I have such similar symptoms to those of you out there.
It started off as slight headaches concentrating on my left side of the head. I also noticed that my nose seemed blocked on the left side and the passage seemed more swollen.

I feel pressure behind my eyes, and I've had eye problems, perhaps caused by this not sure. I also have ear fluttering when I sleep, almost like an insect buzzing in my ears, but I suspect the nose is timed to hearbeat, I had this for about a month

After my optometrist discovered eye problems recently I became more counscious of the heaviness and pain on only the left side of the face, the swollen cheek area and back of the head on the left side, tender temple.

IF so many of us are having such simiilar probelms I wonder if there is a common thread in our lives causing this!

I'm also in my early 30's like so many other's here.

I primarily work on the computer I wonder if this a factor.

I'm going in to my doctor to figure out what is causing this, I had other unrelated health problems and then my eye problems so I put this on the back burner.

Exercising helps, but I will also try massage/acupuncture as well as traditional medicine.

I'm honestly scared that others share my symptoms, but also relieved, I suspected a tumour automatically but glad it may not be.

I hate visiting the doctor, and am stoic about health issues, but I want this checked out, and I want to find solutions to these symptoms. I don't like just taking medicines though, I find it makes my health worse.

[aaaa1234]

i dont know whether it has something with it but my problems started after smokin marihuanna as pulsating in my head and this weird feeling in my neck and right ear... then there was nothing for a week and after that it began again... it can be ignored while doing something but when i just sit it is very annoying..and i had something like a flu as well

[aaaa1234]

but i am only seventeen is there anybody else so young with these symptoms??

[cdomin33]

I am 33 and I have pressure or fullness in my left ear with neck pain just under and behind the left ear. I always have stuffiness on one one side of my nose-mainly my left side. I have pain in my face-in my sinus with pain in my upper teeth. I get this  pressure headache generally on the top left side. I have been feeling this way forever. I feel tired all the time and just heavy-headed in general.  I clench my teeth, but I am not aware if I grind my teeth. I have been told that I snore alot in my sleep. I have not been through any testing-I assumed it was all sinus or allergy-related and that there was nothing that could be done. A few years ago I was diagnosed with TMJ, but I never followed-up because I lost my dental insurance. Could any of this be TMJ related?

[war1]

I've been experiencing the same strange feelings. Also, have had lots of the same test and nothing. I have been on HBP meds since Jan. 10,2008. But these strange feelings just started post a Lithotripsy (Kindney stone sound blasting), Ventral Hernaia and Temporal arterial biopsy. Anytime doctor's work on the body someting is going to happen. Anyway let's get rid of these pains, they suck. I just spoke to a pharmacist who explained to me that cranberry juice -which I dring alot- has a poor interaction with one of my BPM that may be causing some of my discomfort. Is there any way that some of our medications can be interacting with our natural foods to cause some of our problems? Please check with your pharmacist and see if you can identify any poor food, over the counter drug or natural food suppliments that may be interacting negatively on our system and let's share that info. Hope this give some of us a additional resourse.

[war1]

I've been experiencing the same strange feelings. Also, have had lots of the same test and nothing. I have been on HBP meds since Jan. 10,2008. But these strange feelings just started post a Lithotripsy (Kindney stone sound blasting), Ventral Hernaia and Temporal arterial biopsy. Anytime doctor's work on the body someting is going to happen. Anyway let's get rid of these pains, they suck. I just spoke to a pharmacist who explained to me that cranberry juice -which I dring alot- has a poor interaction with one of my BPM that may be causing some of my discomfort. Is there any way that some of our medications can be interacting with our natural foods to cause some of our problems? Please check with your pharmacist and see if you can identify any poor food, over the counter drug or natural food suppliments that may be interacting negatively on our system and let's share that info. Hope this give some of us a additional resourse.

[kvk1339]

Has anyone had a root canal done on the side of the pain?

[Jasro]

It SUX to be human.
I've been dealing with this **** for over a year.  
I'm disable anyways...so I google 24/7.
I'll post anything I can find...but haven't found anything yet.
Science just doesn't "know" and can't catch up with everything.
I think we all deal with so much pain cuz we should'a died from infections
years ago...thanks to antibiotics, we're NOT dead..we just wanna be.

ugh.

[kilamerlin]

has any study been done to see what the early signs of alzheimers is?  I have much the same symptoms as most of you here, stiffness in neck pain in ears, headaches fullness in ears etc etc..... I just wondered about the alzheimers as my aunt developed it some years ago and before she was diagnosed I spent my time at doc with her complaining of ear probs (which obv turned out to be a brain prob)  please don't freak out at this I have absolutely no proof whatsoever just posing a question and given my family history I am def hoping i am just posing a very stupid question!
Thankyou

[firekrakker3]

hi all! i have had chronic headaches that developed into my ears feeling plugged and crackling. it's like they won't pop no matter what i try. so i started seeing a physical therapist for my headaches and they said it's myofascial pain. you can even google it along with ears plugged or dizziness. there are myofascial trigger points all throughout the body. i had tight spots in my hips and lower back that gave me horrible pain in my legs everyday. spots in my upper back and neck made my arms numb! very scary!! needless to say i have been going for a month and also stretching and doing yoga on my own and i feel a ton better! i still have a little headache daily but do not even take meds for it. the leg and arm pain is almost all gone. there is still a little clogged feeling in the ears but i think it's because my face and neck are always tense and that puts pressure on there.  
it is all very scary and i am a hypocondriac (Sp??) so i think the worst. it turns out to be a very very common cause of lots of problems but myofascial trigger points are seldomly considered. dr. oz even mentioned it on oprah!!
hope this helps or at least gives peace of mind for some.

[ozzyqueen]

I finally found a site that speaks about all the same symptoms i have been experiencing. i have terrible headaches, mostly in the temples, ear pain that is driving me crazy which radiates down my neck and is also in the front of my ears. i have been on countless medications that do not help.i have not had an mri recently but had one about 2 yrs ago and it was clear. i am terrified to have another because of fear of finding a tumor. i also have some jaw pain. i figured tmj but not sure.

[ozzyqueen]

now i have a new symptom-clicking in my left ear. i also have had continuous ringing-its driving me crazy! i have an appointment with a ent on oct 9th so i'll have to suffer until then.

[londart]

Sounds like you all have a fungal sinus infection, that is spreading to your ears. Stop eating any form of sugar right a way, and gargle with Grape fruit seed extract and oil of oregano. Do this for about 4-5 five days three times a day. Also use steam with oil of oregano drops in it, and inhale it for 10-20 minutes through your nose. Use this same mixture in a cup, and place your ear over the cup. It will kill all the yeast and bacteria in your mouth, ears and nasal passages. You should start feeling better shortly after. I usually feel better in about 10 minutes.

[londart]

Check your tongue for thrush, it is a clear sign of a fungal infection. If you have a white coating on your tongue it is most definitely a fungal infection. follow the steps above. Sugar feeds fungal infections, that is why you need to stop eating it. You will notice that your ears will start ringing louder after eating sugar, dairy, and flour. Most forms of bacteria can't survive in salt, so saline rinses will help a lot too. Careful with the pressure when rinsing though, you dont want to push fluid in to your ears.

[JASON1117]

Ear fullness and ringing was the latest development of a progressive condition for me.  This started about 14 months ago and has not stopped.  Three ENT's two MRI's, one Alergist two Cardiologists and two GP's later I have no answers either.  I am wondering if doctors refuse to research and diagnose because of a conflicting interest with insurance companies.  It's like, if antibiotics or steroids don't work then you must be depressed, a hypochondriac or a mental patient.

Anyway my symptoms are too many to list, here are a few. Pressure behind eyes with dizziness, sensation of salivary gland inflamation (inflammation) - sometimes ache, frequent headaches starting at base of skull, tonsil irritation right side, sinus inflamation (inflammation), tingling on right side of scalp, heart palpitations, nausea, sleep disturbance 'like loud noises at twilight of sleep,'  difficulty focusing eyes, difficulty thinking and remembering, etc.  Attacks ae sudden and frequent without any discernable external cause like diet.

Could be a heart condition, BP 120/85?  
Could be thyroid condition, tests always negative.  
Could be low grade infection from tonsil affecting heart - but checked out ok with Cardiologist.

I have not been to a Neurologist or Endocrinologist yet but expect more of the same treatmen, namely a pat on the head and RX for anxiety.

[kerLymes]

Have you been checked for Lyme Disease? I have had mostly all of these symptoms and after 5 years am being treated for Lyme Disease. Simply a strong regimend of antibiotics. Not just 1 or two rounds but I am talking months of them. You sometimes will feel better then a period of sickness which is called herxing. Herxing is a dieoff of the bacteria from Lymes. Try and get tested for Lymes. The general test at your MD may not show up because Lymes can hide in your bloodstream. You may have to have the test from California called Isenigenix?. Ask for that particular blood test. Hope this helps.

[JASON1117]

Thank you for the tip.  I intially dismissed Lymes because I do not recall ever having any rash for an extended period as posted symptoms state.  Since you suffered from this I would like to cross a few more symptoms.

Metallic taste in mouth
Night tremors
Burning dry eyes
Asthma like symptoms

Did you have any of these?
Thanks

[rachelle4]

Just read about horrible side effects from levaquin. Did you experience any sort of rash or swelling or muscular pain. reaf all on steven-johnson syndrome and be caeful on antibiotics.

[rachelle4]

Get your teeth done now. I waited to and now i have swollen gums,  several abscessed teeth,swelling abscessess in neck sore thraot and swollen lymph nodes. While waiting to get teeth pulled my front tooth just fell out while flossing. CHeck your thyroid not just TSh but make them run T3 and T$. Take vitamin D, alcium and magnesium> im learning the hard way after years of being just pumpe full of pain pills. I have 4 kids and each time the gtot worse especially after the fourth. Good luck, dont wait til its to late. Every night i go to bed not knowing if i want to wake up alive or not.