Unbearable ear pain

[beebo915]

A couple of years ago I noticed that I was occasionally having this extreme shooting pain in my right ear. When I would turn my head the pain would shoot down the side of my face. This pain lasted anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours. I soon realized that when I removed my earring it would help the pain subside more quickly. This pain has gotten progressively worse and more frequent. Now if I put an earring in that ear the pain will come about 15 minutes later and will last all day and sometimes into the next day. I do experience the pain without the earring in my ear but not near as often. After a brief look in my ear, my doctor diagnosed me with TMJ. I don't feel that this is an accurate diagnosis because I don't have any of the other symptoms of TMJ and everything I have read about it is not descriptive of the extreme unbearable pain I am experiencing. Apparently there is nothing you can do for TMJ but live with it and this is definitely not the type of pain someone can just live with. I am hoping that I can get any suggestions or ideas as to what this could be. I am not sure if this is related, but I have also recently started experiencing throbbing in the same ear. The throbbing does not coincide with my heartbeat and I haven't noticed that anything I do lessens or worsens the throbbing. It is very uncomfortable and is interfering with my sleep and daily activities. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[jbs1000]

I too have ear pain within several minutes of putting an earring in my left ear lobe.  This first occured about 20 years ago immediately after I had purchased a new pair of earrings.  Within several minutes of wearing the new earrings, I developed acute left ear pain that radiated down my neck.  My right ear tolerates earrings without any discomfort.  The ear pain only occurs when I attempt to wear an earring in my left ear lobe.  I have seen several physicians...but unfortunately none have offered a reasonable explanation or diagnosis.  It was interested to read that others have experience ear pain related to earrings.

[spodge]

If it helps at all, about 18 months ago I got what I thought was an ear infection, took antibiotics and it went away.  I woke one night to unbearable pain in my ear, I have never felt anything like it - I've had two kids and used to be a nurse, but I was crying like a baby!!  The next day I saw my doctor who said there was nothing wrong with my ear, even though I couldn't bear for anyone to touch it, not even my ear lobe.  Even my glasses resting on it hurt.  I took my earring out because every time the back caught on something it made me cry.  Eventually, it went away and I put the earring back in.  A week later it was back and so on and so on and so on....  Being a bit stupid, it took a while for me to clock that every time the earring went back in, the pain came back.  I haven't worn earrings since and so far so good.  Not sure if it is related or not, but it could be.

[MrsKett]

I, too, have TMJ, and it does often manifest as ear pain.  Wierd, I know, but it definitely happens.  That also would explain why it comes and goes.  I noticed mine came and went with my level of stress.  The statement that you can't do anything for TMJ is wrong - you can't do much, but you can do some things.  First, see your dentist.  If anyone can help, it's her.  Second, get a mouthguard.  I know, not the most attractive or comfortable things, but they really, really do help.  I was grinding my teeth and didn't know - one week with the mouthguard and I was golden.  I know that TMJ is not the kind of pain that someone can live with - there are things you can do.
I hope this helps.  If it doesn't, look into congestion in your ear canal, along your jaw line.  That could explain the tenderness with your earlobe.  Hope this helps!