Unusual Headache and Ear Pain Symptoms
Starting mid-July, I encountered a troubling pain on the right side of my head that persisted for about a month. Initially, I suspected it was an ear infection, likely due to our recent swimming experience during vacation. Seeking help, I visited urgent care, where I was prescribed ear drops. However, just four days later, the discomfort escalated to an intense stabbing sensation in my ear, reminiscent of being pierced by a screwdriver. Returning to the urgent care clinic, I was prescribed amoxicillin, yet that did not provide any relief. The only thing that seemed to alleviate my symptoms was Advil. The pain felt as if a vice was clamping around the right side of my head, extending down into my neck. Additionally, I experienced issues like dizziness, blurriness in my right eye, and a sense of pressure there. In my quest for answers, I consulted an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor, who suggested it might be a flare-up of my temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). Eventually, the pain subsided on its own, granting me several weeks of relief. However, it has now returned. I'm curious if anyone else has faced similar symptoms. If you have, what kind of medical professional did you consult for evaluation or clarification? 29-year-old female, 5'7
Answers (1)
9/8/2025, 2:30:52 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've been experiencing a complex combination of symptoms that have caused you significant discomfort, including headaches, ear pain, and additional troubling sensations like dizziness and visual disturbances. Let's address your situation clearly and constructively.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms may be related to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).
- They could also indicate other potential issues, such as sinus problems or nerve involvement.
- Monitoring, self-care, and finding triggers or managing stress may help improve your situation.
Explanation:
TMJ dysfunction can cause head and neck pain, and symptoms like dizziness and pressure could be related to issues with the joint or muscles in that area. Given that you've seen an ENT and received treatment that helped temporarily, it’s important to identify any factors that may exacerbate your symptoms, such as stress, certain movements, or dental issues.
The return of your symptoms suggests that while the acute phase resolved, there could be underlying factors still affecting you. The fact that Advil helps indicates that inflammation or muscle tension may be at play.
Next Steps:
- Keep a Symptom Diary: Document when your pain intensifies, what activities you were involved in, and any stressors. This can help identify patterns or triggers.
- Apply Heat or Cold: Use a warm compress or heating pad on your jaw area to relax tight muscles, or try an ice pack if there is swelling or acute pain.
- Practice Relaxation Techniques: Engage in stress-reducing activities like deep breathing exercises, yoga, or meditation to help mitigate the tension in your jaw and neck.
- Gentle Jaw Exercises: Consider gentle stretches designed specifically for TMJ to improve mobility and reduce discomfort.
- Evaluate Dental Health: Schedule a check-up with your dentist to rule out any dental issues that may contribute to TMJ or head pain, such as teeth grinding or misalignment.
- Follow-Up with Healthcare Providers: If symptoms persist or worsen, re-evaluate with your ENT or consider consulting a dental specialist or pain management expert for further assessment and treatment options.
Please continue to listen to your body and prioritize your well-being. If any new or severe symptoms arise, such as worsening pain, significant visual changes, or neurological symptoms, it's important to seek immediate help.
Related Questions
Neurological Challenges Mimicking POTS Symptoms
A 36-year-old female, weighing 265 pounds, is dealing with a complex medical history that includes conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and a splenic artery aneurysm. There is a tentative diagnosis of hypertensive Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). The patient experiences significant symptoms when not on medication, including a rapid heartbeat (ranging from 117 to 150 beats per minute), dangerously high blood pressure, episodes of vision impairment, difficulty walking accompanied by stumbling and falls, tremors, memory issues, and brain fog. Currently, her medication regimen includes Pristiq, lithium, lorazepam, low-dose naltrexone for pain management, and propranolol to regulate heart rates. She takes ubrelvy when needed. In January, a recurrence of severe pain radiating from her right side led to a hospital admission where her gallbladder was surgically removed due to complications. Although the surgery was successful, she subsequently developed CRPS, further complicating her health. While working in the emergency department, she experienced a sharp tearing pain associated with her known aneurysm. Unable to manage the pain, she informed her manager of her need to leave. During her walk back to her workspace, approximately 1500 feet away, she began to stagger and lost her vision, while also experiencing heavy sweating and shortness of breath. Support from coworkers was crucial, as she lost her strength and collapsed, gasping for air and experiencing vertigo. Her heart rate was recorded at almost 150 bpm and her blood pressure at 152/120. Once lying down, her vitals stabilized but would escalate again with movement. The attending nurse suspected POTS based on her symptoms. Despite efforts to provide explanations, her overnight doctor attributed her condition to anxiety. However, subsequent doctors recognized her situation increasingly suggested POTS and put her on a heart monitor after she began falling to one side, which later confirmed episodes of tachycardia over a monitoring period of two to three days. Her first cardiology appointment revealed a drop in her blood pressure when she stood, further aligning with the POTS suspicion. An echocardiogram was scheduled for the following week, but complications arose the very next morning at work, where rising distress prompted coworkers to assist her following an apparent episode of tachycardia. Administered Ativan temporarily helped alleviate some symptoms, but as her condition worsened, she was transported to the emergency department once again. After several hours of treatment, she was discharged with little clarity regarding her condition. Currently, she takes an extended-release dose of propranolol (80 mg), but without it, her heart rate can exceed 130 bpm, accompanied by memory lapses. Episodes of sporadic vision loss persist, alongside difficulty walking that has progressed to staggering or being unable to move at all, leading to falls. These occurrences are thought to be related to syncope. Neurological evaluations are underway, with initial tests like ECG and EEG returning normal results, but an MRI suggested increased intracranial pressure, though some specialists doubt its relevance. A pain specialist indicated that her pain conditions may not directly correlate but suggested central nervous system dysfunction related to stress could be a factor, as her symptoms often intensify during anxious moments. An Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist found no abnormalities causing her symptoms, and her cardiologist is pursuing further investigation at a specialized clinic, expressing concern about her ongoing employment due to the physical and financial strain it entails. The patient’s aneurysm was treated with an embolism in September, adding another layer to her intricate medical profile, and she is seeking additional perspectives on her challenging situation.
Understanding Prolapsed Appendix in Young Adults
Hello all, I’m a 25-year-old woman who has been struggling with persistent abdominal discomfort, along with nausea and diarrhea, for more than a decade. A recent colonoscopy has diagnosed me with a prolapsed appendix, despite the fact that my colon appears unaffected. Biopsy samples were collected to investigate potential inflammation, and I am currently awaiting those results. Additionally, I have a balloon enteroscopy scheduled to examine my small intestine more closely. From my research, it seems that appendiceal prolapse or intussusception is quite uncommon in adults. I am particularly interested in understanding how rare this issue truly is, especially for someone at my age, along with the typical causes that could lead to this condition. I have a few queries: How uncommon is a prolapsed appendix in adult patients? What are the most frequent causes linked to young women like myself? Are there specific risk factors or trends that might increase the likelihood of developing this issue? I’m not seeking a personal assessment, but I would be grateful for any information from those who are familiar with the occurrence and causes of this condition.
Did I Experience a Seizure Upon Waking?
This morning, I had an awakening that was unlike anything I’ve felt before. As a 23-year-old man, I’m familiar with sleep paralysis, often waking up immobile; however, today was distinct. I found myself in a state that resembled paralysis but accompanied by rapid, shallow breaths, akin to hyperventilation—something I don’t typically experience, even during strenuous activities. My body was trembling, reminiscent of numbness from cold or perhaps involuntary contractions throughout. Additionally, I felt a strange pressure on my groin, coupled with discomfort in my right testicle, as if they were being retracted into my body. I don’t regularly take medication aside from using an albuterol inhaler during asthma flare-ups. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 210 pounds, I also had a particularly unsettling dream just prior to waking, which might explain my reaction (at least, I hope it does). However, I can’t shake the anxiety that this could have been a type of seizure and I’m eager for input from those who have more expertise on the subject.
Are My Symptoms Indicating an Impending Stroke?
I’m a young adult female, weighing 99 pounds and standing 5 feet 2 inches tall. I do not smoke, vape, or consume alcohol, and currently, I am undergoing tests for POTS and HEDS. For the past two weeks, I have been experiencing intermittent discomfort in the upper region of my head, particularly in the back and temples. These aren’t typical headaches, but rather sudden twinges of pain that occur sporadically throughout the day. Additionally, over this same period, I have been dealing with bouts of vertigo—probably about 4 to 5 days where it came and went. A few days back, I also encountered a tingling sensation in my arms, which I can’t tell if it was simply due to anxiety. Given that my aunt suffered a stroke in her thirties, the prospect of having a stroke terrifies me. I find that the emergency room here primarily prescribes pain medication if you mention head discomfort, which leaves me uncertain about what steps to take next. Could these symptoms signal an impending stroke? Furthermore, I've also been experiencing pain in my left leg, though I’m unsure if that’s connected to my other symptoms.
Identifying Skin Marks on My Child
My 5-year-old daughter, who has no history of allergies, has developed peculiar skin marks over the past four to five days. Each morning, I observe these blemishes, which mysteriously disappear by the next day, only to reappear in different locations. The majority of these spots are located on her lower back, buttocks, and the back of her thighs, although I've also seen some on her upper back and a single one on her cheek. As an additional note, she began exhibiting mild cold symptoms last night, including a cough, some mucus, and a slight increase in body temperature. To provide further context: she mentioned that the marks are somewhat itchy, but she hasn’t been scratching them excessively.