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Getting Pressure In Ear And Tingling Sensation In Eye. Are They Allergy Related?
Question: Hi there. I have been suffering with this problem for nearly 2 years, and it seems to be worsening yet no doctors (even ENT's) have been able to successfully diagnose it or help me! Here are my symptoms:
Nearly constant ear pressure in ONLY the left ear, sometimes there is some tingling in the area especially around my left eye. The pain seems to also radiate from BEHIND my ear, like right behind the "groove" where the ear back of the ear meets the head (mastoid area I guess?) The pain XXXXXXX in my ear can be very dehabilitating at times, and is a stabbing sharp pain that radiates behind the ear and to the neck but also up around my eye into the top of my head, and even causes the back of my TONGUE to ache severely on only the left side? I have strange tinnitus- I can only notice it if I cover the left ear or lie on my left side, and with XXXXXXX sound I hear (TV, talking, anything), my ear produces a VERY LOUD "fluttering" sound. I have actually become very sound sensitive, and my hearing has diminished according to recent audiograms at the ENT. When I lie down at night, my pulse is very loud in my ear, and when I bend FORWARD, my whole face becomes red, hot, flushed, and my ear THROBS?! One more thing, I DID have a PE tube put in back in March to attempt to correct what they thought was a Eustachian tube issue with severe dizziness....the dizziness part has improved, although not completely gone. None of the hearing issues or pain was there before the tube though. ENT thinks that removing the tube is a bad idea. There is frequent CLER drainage from BOTH ears daily, which they say is earwax. I do have a LOT of nasal congestion and bloody mucous, again, strictly ONLY on the left side/nostril. So, something is up for sure- not just ALLERGIES!?
They say its all "allergy" related...Ive been on every antibiotic, steroid, spray.....nothing has changed it or helped. Ive also seen a dentist several times- not related to teeth or TMJ, and a neurologist who very RUDLEY insisted it was merely migraines?!? Please help me....this is ruining my life and I just want to be back to my happy, healthy normal self again. Thoughts? Thank you so much, your time and input is much appreciated!
XXXXXXX
Nearly constant ear pressure in ONLY the left ear, sometimes there is some tingling in the area especially around my left eye. The pain seems to also radiate from BEHIND my ear, like right behind the "groove" where the ear back of the ear meets the head (mastoid area I guess?) The pain XXXXXXX in my ear can be very dehabilitating at times, and is a stabbing sharp pain that radiates behind the ear and to the neck but also up around my eye into the top of my head, and even causes the back of my TONGUE to ache severely on only the left side? I have strange tinnitus- I can only notice it if I cover the left ear or lie on my left side, and with XXXXXXX sound I hear (TV, talking, anything), my ear produces a VERY LOUD "fluttering" sound. I have actually become very sound sensitive, and my hearing has diminished according to recent audiograms at the ENT. When I lie down at night, my pulse is very loud in my ear, and when I bend FORWARD, my whole face becomes red, hot, flushed, and my ear THROBS?! One more thing, I DID have a PE tube put in back in March to attempt to correct what they thought was a Eustachian tube issue with severe dizziness....the dizziness part has improved, although not completely gone. None of the hearing issues or pain was there before the tube though. ENT thinks that removing the tube is a bad idea. There is frequent CLER drainage from BOTH ears daily, which they say is earwax. I do have a LOT of nasal congestion and bloody mucous, again, strictly ONLY on the left side/nostril. So, something is up for sure- not just ALLERGIES!?
They say its all "allergy" related...Ive been on every antibiotic, steroid, spray.....nothing has changed it or helped. Ive also seen a dentist several times- not related to teeth or TMJ, and a neurologist who very RUDLEY insisted it was merely migraines?!? Please help me....this is ruining my life and I just want to be back to my happy, healthy normal self again. Thoughts? Thank you so much, your time and input is much appreciated!
XXXXXXX
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. You may share your audiograms and tympanograms here for an accurate assessment. A fresh Tympanogram (Impedance Audiogram) can confirm the patency of your PE tube.
2. The pains are most probably due to a neuralgia. The pains in the head may be Trigeminal (Fifth Cranial) Nerve; the pain behind the ear may be the Greater Auricular Nerve (Spinal C2, C3) form the Cervical Plexus and the pain in the posterior two-thirds of the tongue may be involving the Glossopharyngeal (Ninth Cranial) Nerve.
3. Neuralgia will not respond to routine pain killers. Medication such as Tryptomer (amytriptyline), Tegretol (Carbamazepine) and Gabapentin may be required to relieve neuropathic pain. These medicines should only be taken under the strict supervision of a physician.
4. So if we are looking at multiple nerve territories, a common cause has to be located on the left side. This will require a set of Scans, including CT PNS (Para Nasal Sinuses), HRCT Temporal Bones and an MRI Brain, Neck & Cervical Spine.
5. Tinnitus cannot be cured, only controlled. A Neck Vessel Color Doppler Study may be done since you get intense flushing on bending forwards. Does clenching your teeth change the Tinnitus?
6. The most common cause for frequent tongue ulcers will be stress, acid reflux, indigestion, vitamin b complex and zinc deficiency, hormonal imbalance, viral infections and so on.
7. Referred pain and sensations may occur in the head and neck region as the common nerve supply extends up to the abdomen.
8. You may share the results of your investigations here.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Thank you for your query.
1. You may share your audiograms and tympanograms here for an accurate assessment. A fresh Tympanogram (Impedance Audiogram) can confirm the patency of your PE tube.
2. The pains are most probably due to a neuralgia. The pains in the head may be Trigeminal (Fifth Cranial) Nerve; the pain behind the ear may be the Greater Auricular Nerve (Spinal C2, C3) form the Cervical Plexus and the pain in the posterior two-thirds of the tongue may be involving the Glossopharyngeal (Ninth Cranial) Nerve.
3. Neuralgia will not respond to routine pain killers. Medication such as Tryptomer (amytriptyline), Tegretol (Carbamazepine) and Gabapentin may be required to relieve neuropathic pain. These medicines should only be taken under the strict supervision of a physician.
4. So if we are looking at multiple nerve territories, a common cause has to be located on the left side. This will require a set of Scans, including CT PNS (Para Nasal Sinuses), HRCT Temporal Bones and an MRI Brain, Neck & Cervical Spine.
5. Tinnitus cannot be cured, only controlled. A Neck Vessel Color Doppler Study may be done since you get intense flushing on bending forwards. Does clenching your teeth change the Tinnitus?
6. The most common cause for frequent tongue ulcers will be stress, acid reflux, indigestion, vitamin b complex and zinc deficiency, hormonal imbalance, viral infections and so on.
7. Referred pain and sensations may occur in the head and neck region as the common nerve supply extends up to the abdomen.
8. You may share the results of your investigations here.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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