Question: Hey doctor,

I have had this problem on and off for about 3 years now. It first started with what my doctor thought was an ear infection with my ear been swollen inside. I went on about 4 different antibitoics and also one that you apply directly into the ear and it didn't really do anything, eventually, it went away. But it constantly comes back every 3-6 months i'll get really bad ear pain with no visible sign of infection in the ear and my ear will completely block up to the point I can't hear.

My question is that is it possible that it's not an infection and maybe some time of lymph node problem or cancer causing it that is affecting that ear, nose throat region? I also have long-term stomach problems with reflux and stomach pain and generally feeling tired/fatigued. I have had a battery of blood tests which have come out normal and also adominal ultrasound, chest x-ray, gastrosopocy, colonoscopy but is there any other tests I should be having to test for lymphona or lymph node problems? Can that be the cause of chronic ear pain the pain kind of runs down the right side of my neck as well and it is never in my left ear only ever the right. I went to an ENT last year and they only just found a bit of wax on my eardrum but that didn't change the pain or blockage symptons. Also when I go on planes it is super painful and it gets blocked in my right ear for like a week or so afterwards.

Thanks in advance.