Sharp pain in the head and ear

For years I have been having headaches as well as sharp pain in my right ear, tender to touch as well as stabing pain in my head disbursing outward.  I have had spot in my vision as well as floaters and they have not been able to get my vision 20/20 in years.  The best was 20/40.  I also have pain running down my neck and shoulder and into my jaw.  Most of the time it feels like its inflammed.  It even hurts to turn my head sometime.  I have been going to a chiropractor for this but he is not sure what is going on.  I was sent for a brain MRI 3 years ago because they found traces of papiledema in both eyes.  They diagnosed me with pseudotumor cerebri but I don't know if that has anything to do with the pain in my ear, head, neck and shoulder.  What do you think it could be?  

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

How are you?
It is quite possible that your symptoms are due to pseudotumor cerebri. In this condition the intracranial pressure is elevated which results in symptoms like headache, ringing in the ears, double vision and weakness and numbness in the arms.
At the same time since you have difficulty in turning your head and pain in the neck and shoulders cervical spondylosis also needs to be excluded.
Another cause could be migraine which can cause all these symptoms.
Please discuss these possibilities with your neurologist. Keep us posted!

[civinat]

Another question I had is why would it be on one side more than the other?  Wouldn't the pressure be even throughout my entire head if it was the pseudotumor cerebri?  The difficulty turning my head is only when it is exacerbated.  I feel it radiating on the right side mostly.  I have been keeping track of the pain on a calendar hoping to find some sort of pattern but have not found one yet.  I haven't seen my neuroligist in almost a year because all he wanted to do was prescribe me medication that knocked me out and that I could not afford.  Are there any natural remedies to ease the pain?

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,
The headache due to pseudotumor cerebri is non specific in location and varies in type, location and frequency.
http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic329.htm
Pseudotumor cerebri can very rarely lead to radiating pains which can occur on one side of the body. I would advise you to seek a second opinion. Take care!

[brilmont]

I would urge you research Spontaneous Cerebral Spinal Fluid leaks which cause Intracranial Hypotention headaches.