Aa
Sudden unexplained pain
Last night I noticed a lump behind my ear. I've had swollen lymph nodes numerous times so I knew it wasn't that. It felt like a bubble, was tender and felt warm. Around the same time, every time I stood up or bent down, I had an excruciating pain in the left front side of my head and at times the left top side of my nose simultaneously. Sometimes the shooting pain in my head alone happens when I am just sitting still.
I went to the Dr's today and confirmed that the lump behind my ear was an abscess. She didn't think the pain was related, but didn't know what it was. I know she was busy, but the whole appt just felt rushed. Not sure if she understood how painful this is.
I don't have any symptoms of being sick, no sinus issues. I've never had a problem with headaches or migraines. No other health problems that I can identify. The only new thing I can think of, which I'm not sure is related, is a new fertility drug I am on, but it's only for 5 days during my cycle and I haven't taken it for over a week.
Any ideas on what this can be? Or any tests I should request?
~Natalie
I went to the Dr's today and confirmed that the lump behind my ear was an abscess. She didn't think the pain was related, but didn't know what it was. I know she was busy, but the whole appt just felt rushed. Not sure if she understood how painful this is.
I don't have any symptoms of being sick, no sinus issues. I've never had a problem with headaches or migraines. No other health problems that I can identify. The only new thing I can think of, which I'm not sure is related, is a new fertility drug I am on, but it's only for 5 days during my cycle and I haven't taken it for over a week.
Any ideas on what this can be? Or any tests I should request?
~Natalie
Glad to know that you did get an antibiotic.
My doctor prescribed antibiotic eardrops for me and my ear is very swollen and extremely painful with a painful lump behind it. With the whole ear being so swollen that has blocked the ear canal making me deaf in that ear. My head is feeling full too (no doubt sinus problem as I also feel a bit "stuffed up" with clinging mucus at the back of my throat).
Blocked up and/or infected sinuses can cause pain in the cheek bones, the forehead above your eyebrows as well as pains in the head. You may get a stuffy nose, but not always.
When the sinuses start to drain, the mucus may be clear which means there is no infection, or may be yellow, sometimes green or blood streaked. When the mucus is discoloured in that way, that usually indicates there is an infection.
You may not be able to get the mucus out by blowing your nose, and sometimes the mucus will drip down the back of your throat causing you to want to cough to get rid of it clinging to the back of the throat.
If there is no infection, sometimes a doctor will prescribe decongestant medication like Sudafed. This does not suit everyone and can cause your blood pressure to go up. Doing steam inhalations will cause no side effects and can be done for as long as you need.
I have also found that steam inhalations will also unblock any congestion that may block up the Eustachian tube. My doctor advised me to do steam inhalations for that reason.
I suggest that you finish the course of the Clindamycin as prescribed and if you still continue to have the pains in your head, then make an appointment to see the doctor again.
Because your ear pain and the head pain occurred closely as you say, it is highly likely that your sinuses are infected or blocked too.
Drink plenty of warm drinks - hot honey and freshly squeezed lemon is nice, give you the Vitamin C and is also soothing for the throat.
If your doctor didn't suggest it, you can also take pain relief medication as prescribed on the packet to help ease the pain in the ear (not Ibuprofen).
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
My doctor prescribed antibiotic eardrops for me and my ear is very swollen and extremely painful with a painful lump behind it. With the whole ear being so swollen that has blocked the ear canal making me deaf in that ear. My head is feeling full too (no doubt sinus problem as I also feel a bit "stuffed up" with clinging mucus at the back of my throat).
Blocked up and/or infected sinuses can cause pain in the cheek bones, the forehead above your eyebrows as well as pains in the head. You may get a stuffy nose, but not always.
When the sinuses start to drain, the mucus may be clear which means there is no infection, or may be yellow, sometimes green or blood streaked. When the mucus is discoloured in that way, that usually indicates there is an infection.
You may not be able to get the mucus out by blowing your nose, and sometimes the mucus will drip down the back of your throat causing you to want to cough to get rid of it clinging to the back of the throat.
If there is no infection, sometimes a doctor will prescribe decongestant medication like Sudafed. This does not suit everyone and can cause your blood pressure to go up. Doing steam inhalations will cause no side effects and can be done for as long as you need.
I have also found that steam inhalations will also unblock any congestion that may block up the Eustachian tube. My doctor advised me to do steam inhalations for that reason.
I suggest that you finish the course of the Clindamycin as prescribed and if you still continue to have the pains in your head, then make an appointment to see the doctor again.
Because your ear pain and the head pain occurred closely as you say, it is highly likely that your sinuses are infected or blocked too.
Drink plenty of warm drinks - hot honey and freshly squeezed lemon is nice, give you the Vitamin C and is also soothing for the throat.
If your doctor didn't suggest it, you can also take pain relief medication as prescribed on the packet to help ease the pain in the ear (not Ibuprofen).
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Yes, I forgot to mention that she did prescribe me Clindamycin for the abscess.
What symptoms would I have if I had blocked sinuses? I've never had it to my knowledge, but I don't feel stuffy or anything.
I hope you're right about that the medication will help this as well. It does seem rather coincidental how closely they occurred.
Thank you!
What symptoms would I have if I had blocked sinuses? I've never had it to my knowledge, but I don't feel stuffy or anything.
I hope you're right about that the medication will help this as well. It does seem rather coincidental how closely they occurred.
Thank you!
My regular family doctor was off that day and it was her locum I saw. She did prescribe me some antibiotics for the abscess so hopefully that should take care of that. But I was surprised at how dismissive she was with the pain. You're right, I'll see if I can get in with my dr. this week if it doesn't get any better. Thanks!
You do not say whether your doctor prescribed you an antibiotic to take by mouth or antibiotic ear drops. If not, then you should get back to your doctor to get a prescription to treat the abscess.
I feel that the pain that you are experiencing in the front side of your head is likely to be related to the infection in the ear canal and is to do with blocked or infected sinuses.
You can help to relieve any congestion that can cause these symptoms by doing steam inhalations.
To do steam inhalations, boil up a kettleful of water and pour this into a bowl (taking care not to get scalded). Put some Vick or olbas oil in and bend your head over the bowl of water. Cover your head and the bowl with a towel and breathe in the steam for about 10 minutes. Breathe through your nose and out through your mouth. Try and do this 4 times a day if you can.
Once the abscess and any sinus problems settle down, your head pains also are likely to settle down too. If not, then you will need to make an appointment for further medication investigation.
I feel that the pain that you are experiencing in the front side of your head is likely to be related to the infection in the ear canal and is to do with blocked or infected sinuses.
You can help to relieve any congestion that can cause these symptoms by doing steam inhalations.
To do steam inhalations, boil up a kettleful of water and pour this into a bowl (taking care not to get scalded). Put some Vick or olbas oil in and bend your head over the bowl of water. Cover your head and the bowl with a towel and breathe in the steam for about 10 minutes. Breathe through your nose and out through your mouth. Try and do this 4 times a day if you can.
Once the abscess and any sinus problems settle down, your head pains also are likely to settle down too. If not, then you will need to make an appointment for further medication investigation.
It sounds quite strange that if your MD didn't think it was related to the abscess, then why she didn't investigate it further is idiotic. At minimum, she should have ordered a CT to start the investigative process. I would establish care with a new physician, that doesn't rush you out the door. I hope as well that she ordered an antibiotic for your abscess? I don't know if it's wise to wait to finish that off (if it was Rx'd to you) before looking further into the severe left frontal pain. The decision is yours to make, but if it were me, I would probably pay a visit to the local ER. Good luck!
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