shooting pain by lelf ear, sensitive scalp

[chrissy122]

Hello, I have peircing pain that shoots by my left ear then goes away comes back for a few seconds and goes away.  I went to the ER thinking it was a massive ear infection. It  was the weekend my doctors office was closed.  I was shocked to find out my ears were clear.  I also have sensitivity on my scalp what seems to be the left side (my hair hurts when touched.)  Today the second day the side of my head just feels like I got wacked with a board I kind of feel tired and it feels like by my ear its throbbing and occasionally a pain will jolt through but not as bad as the day before.  Tylenol dulls all the pain and makes me feel better.  The ER doctor didn't have any answers and didn't want to radiate me (mri) unnecessasarily.  He mentioned Bells Palsey but I didn't have all the symptoms and lymes disease but I didn't have all the symptoms and frankly I just got the feeling that he didn't know what to do with me.  I have seizures due to an AVM of the brain which is on my right side.  I dont remember all the particulars size ect... I was diagnosed about 11 years ago the surgery would be very risky for paralaysis and still is today last time I checked a few years ago.  Anyway I wanted to know about these shooting pains in ears could that be due to a virus of some sort?  I know because I have the AVM one would think its because of that but and trust me I will get and MRI but I feel a little sickly like something is coming on. does the sensitive scalp and shooting pain  ring a bell to you let me know Thank you  Chrissy122

[pops112]

I am not a doctor ,nor have any medical training other then my dear ol mother , LOL. To all whom have this pain described in different ,but similar ways I can offer what has helped me through the years . In researching my symptoms, It's possible we'er experiencing " Trigeminal neuralgia ". Please, research this before continuing and evaluate if this is something you may be experiencing. The medical world isn't very clear as to the reason why this occurs. Please ,before trying my personal treatment ,be sure you check with your doctor to diagnose and rule out something more serious. What helps me countless times is heat. I suggest a heat level that's comfortable to you. My condition usually starts off mild and increases in intensity if left alone. My scalp get to sensitive I can barely touch my hair, my eye hurts, ear ache, down into my throat and of course , just one side. The level of pain just touching my hair is severe. If it were not to just one side, I would think I had the worse sunburn on my scalp. The heating pad I used today are " THERA-BEADS, DURO-MED IND. You can find them at Amazon.  These particular pads are heated in a microwave and produce there own moister once applied. I have in the past used moist towel's with the same effect. I also find having the sun shine of effected side offers me relief, particularly after a heat treatment . I suggest you allowing the area to cool with a dry towel and not expose the sensitive area to rapid cool down and possibly catching cold along with nerve sensitivity. This is not an intent fix. But I find I can touch the area with less pain. For me, after several treatments the pain goes away as mysteriously as it arrived.

[redblanket]

I too, am having the identical things happen.  This has never happened to me before, and am so grateful for your response.   I was out hiking at the time and as the evening was coming, the wind cooled down, and suddenly I felt a stabbing pain off & on in my left ear. It progressively got worse, and by the middle of the night, I had to take aspirin...which did eventually help. By morning it was back and worse.   I tried garlic oil in my ear, but I think it was actually the wet hot compress that actually did the magic.   The painful scalp started the 2nd night.   I thought it must be a cold coming on, so I continued the garlic & hot compress again.    I was out in the sunshine, meditating both days...and it was so improved, that I thought THAT was making it better.  Now I know it was the sunshine.   Also hot drinks felt very soothing.    Your advise was right on.    I read up on Trigeminal Neuralgia, and it sounds like a match.    Everything you wrote eased the scary thoughts that I was having.   It’s starting to ease up now, and it’s day 3. Thank you for putting this out there.

[redblanket]

I wrote at the beginning of February 2018 commenting on shooting pain in ear that sounded like Trigeminal Neuralgia.    Within 3 more days it turned out to be Shingles in and around my ear and eye.   I knew as soon as the blisters started and immediately went to an ophthalmologist.  She prescribed an anti-viral and kept an eye on my cornea.     It’s been a month now and I seem to be coming out of it.   It was the most terrible pain I’ve ever dealt with and would wish it on no one!

[pops112]

this text March-2018.......There is a new shingles vaccine recently approved. Supposedly much more effective then the previous one. It's two part vaccine. The second introduced 6 months after the initial shot. I had my initial vaccine a few weeks ago at CVS drugs. It's a vaccine they have to order ,so call ahead so they  have on hand and an inoculation date . ;)

[Kim111today]

Does anyone else have sores in their throat that correspond with this? For me, I get these symptoms, the sensitive scalp, sensitive and painful ear, face, etc all on left side.  But the worst is the canker type sores in mouth. Plus, it comes on like a feelung of being run down. I believe it's the cranial nerves from a virus I got several years ago. It was repeatedly getting triggered this past winter so I'm wondering if fighting off things and my immunity getting compromised makes it come out more readily? Any thoughts and information from the folks on here is much appreciated!

[Blueredrabbit713]

I had similar shooting/stabbing pains in my left ear, (plus tinnitus) this pain was coupled with a very sore scalp Behind my temple.  Please see a chiropractor- my neck was super out of whack causing the trigeminal nerve to cause the muscle spasms.  Instantly better after first adjustment.  Tinnitus was from a sinus infection pushing fluid on my ear drum.  Antibiotics for that issue.

[Whitby1]

I have also had this sharp pain with scalp sensitivity happening for years and years. I am in my late 50's and remember having this since I was a child. It happens quickly without notice and disappears over time and less pain as it disappears.

Historically I have always had bad sinus problems that I have eventually lived with and accepted. The pain I find is less if I pull on the external lower "bump" of the ear and kinda massage it. It eventually goes away in a few days regardless.

This last episode seemed to happen when I had cold air exposure over an hour or more while cutting the grass. This condition is in no way a 'show stopper" but rather just an convenience that will eventually go away.

I have NEVER had any discharge or liquid drain from my ear. It just seems like the beginnings of a sinus or throat infection in my opinion. I just drink hot liquids and wait it out. Of course, BLOW the mucus and garbage out of you head if you have a stuffy nose!!!!

Good luck!

[momsrslove]

Check with your doctor. It may be fibromyalgia

[chilover2]

I have had the same symptoms almost two months ago and now it's back again. Shooting Sharon pain to the ear, on and off. Feels like I have a canker sore in the back of my tongue and sensitivity on the same side as my face. I went to the Chiropractor last time for 5 visits. He said it could be from the neck. Totally gone after my visits. Back again and on vacation, so when I get back I'll go to the Chiro. Again. I also clench my teeth which I was told could cause it.

[pops112]

This post Feb 7-2018.......Since my original post Aug of 2016 ,I've had a few more thoughts on face/head sensitivity. I had not mentioned in my first text, I had the "SHINGLES " in 2002. My particular area of attack was the  neck,head area. The same side I have reoccuring sensitivity. I was of the opinion, once you've had the shingles, you can't get it again. NOT SO ! If you've had the chickenpox, you can get shingles. I did the shingle shot 2010. However that's not fool proof either. I had recently read an article in the Philly Enquire of a man with recurring shingles. this recurrence cause him the loss of hearing and eyesight on the affected side. For anyone who has extreme sensitivity to the head area ,and find a rash similar to roofing shingles ( overlapping bumps ) Get to your doctor/ ER for proper diagnose. It is also my understanding the med word is coming out with a new more effective shingle vaccine.

[lindajoyce23]

I too have the sensitive scalp symptoms..went to a neurologist and after brain scan, I was given the diagnosis of "magraineous headaches"..  Yes a prescription was given, which is also used as an antidepressant, so I did not care to take this.  I find I get mild relief using Excedrin for Migraines.  Hope this helps some of you with the same issues...

[kelnz1978]

Hi, I have this on an off and today I found the following, which is by far the most helpful, with immediate relief (when I looked it up and found the right stretches). It totally makes sense, since I got a desk job I have all sorts of referred pain because muscles shorten from bad posture and my lack of stretching (I am getting better at doing these)... I have copied and pasted this from another site....

I get this quite a bit, and it's not sinuses. It is the Sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) in spasm. One visit to a physical therapist or chiropractor will give immediate relief. Of course, multiple visits and training will be the fixative. The SCM muscle is in your neck, but the pain is never in the muscle itself. It radiates to the scalp, back of the throat and close to the ear. It totally *****. The neuralgia is often diagnosed because the spasmodic muscle puts pressure on the nerves.

[Lily_HELP]

I am twelve and have the same problems described above, jolts around my left ear area every 10-20 seconds or so, sensitive scalp, and constant mild ear pain. When I swallow my left ear and throat hurt. I am having trouble concentrating in class, the only time with went away was during math after competing against another student to finish a math question. I have had this for two days and am really worried, I've never had anything like this before. My dad is thinking of calling the doctor, but we decided to wait a few more days to see what happens. It seems like people older than me have these symptoms rather than people the same age as me, can anyone help me?

[philbodean]

Your response is NOT an answer

[Kathiren]

I am having the same issue right now, the left side of my scalp is very sensitive, and if touched or my hair moved I get a very sharp pain. My left ear has a slight pain in it continually, but when I swallow something it is magnified by 100. It started just this morning. I have had this off and on my whole life and have no clue as to what it is. Sometimes it will last few days and some times it will last a week or two.

[philbodean]

Your response is NOT an answer!

[armalot]

I have exactly what you all are describing. Climbing the walls by now. Of course on Friday I was given antibiotics that don't help. Now is Saturday night, actually my wedding anniversary. Where do you get this steroid shot? Or do I have to wait until Monday. The pain travels from my ear to this one point of my scalp, I feel like someone is jackhammering my head.
Is there anyway to get help on Saturday night?

[Gerowj]

I want to add that I had all of your symtoms, and it was really scaring me.  shooting pain in left ear every 5-10 seconds, tinitus, slight hearing loss, hair sensitivity.  I suffered long enough to go to the ER three times, one ENT visit followed by a referral to a neurologist.  The Neurologist told me that I might have MS!  Finally my boss asked me to go see his family physician.  I discussed the symptoms on the phone, and met him the next morning.  One steroid shot and a metra-dose kit later, I was cured....remarkable.  You do not have to show all the symptoms.

[Gerowj]

I am sure that the problem has manifested itself by know, but based on your description, I think that you have a form of bells palsy.  It is an inflamation of the trigeminal nerve.  It can be treated with a steriod shot followed by a metra dose over a week period.  

[jjjjjjj]

I know I'm not being real helpful...I can't answer your question. But your experiences with the AVM are similar to mine. When I was 13, I had surgery to remove the AVM. It, too, was on my right side. I now have seizures as a result. I'm starting to have problems again, and I had an MRI this morning. I know they can come back, depending on whether or not it was completely resected.

Good luck to you! I was told by my neuro that there are nerves that stem from the base of the neck (or back of the head) and branch out to the top/front of the brain. If this is irritated it will cause pain just below the scalp. Maybe look into that????Good luck!

[PJ17]

Did you ever figure out what was causing your ear and scalp symptoms? I've had the same symptoms all day today on my left side.

[Rosaross]

People with this problem should look into ear mite, or other scalp infestations.