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Suggest Treatment For Constant Ear Pain

Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015

Question: I have a pain above my left ear...almost constant.

Answered by Dr. Pankaj Borade (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
details required

Detailed Answer:
Dear,
Welcome to HCM.
The information provided by you is not sufficient to make judgement regarding your condition and to guide you a treatment. It would be of great help if you could provide a detailed information with respect to
1) duration of pain
20 any swelling over ear, tenderness, discharge?
3) associated fever, vertigo,?
4) What medications tried?

a photo of the area will be of great value
waiting for your reply....

Regards,
Dr Pankaj Borade

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Pankaj Borade (15 minutes later)

The pain has been evident before, but this time it is only for the last 15 hrs. It is more painful than an ordinary sinus headache, and is only in the area forward of the left ear, between the ear and the eye socket. it has usually lasted between 18 to 24 hrs, and then might not return for several days.
There is no obvious swelling, but it is tender in the pain area.
I have no fever, and just very slight vertigo.
I have taken antibiotics for 8 days, which were prescribed by my physician for sinus infection, and sinus OTC pills for the congestion. The current pain is unlike the sinus pain, which was more in the area around my eyes, and across the forehead.

Answered by Dr. Pankaj Borade (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
conditions of migraine, sinusitis, temoral arteritis, venous thrombosis are likely

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the reply.
From your information it appears that the major complaint is of
pain of 15 hrs duration in between eye socket and left ear, with tenderness , vertigo and no fever, swelling and not responding to medications.
Considering your age, following conditions can be likely
migraine, sinusitis, temoral arteritis, venous thrombosis.

Kindly answer my following questions:
1) do you have hypertension problem, smoking problem, diabetes?
2) history of similar episodes in past, similar problem in parents?
3) recent seizures episodes, significant weight loss?
4) currently complaints of associated vision difficulties, vomiting?
5) currently complaints of cold, fever?
6) sweet tooth, etc?

Information to these will help me to narrow in on specific condition..
In addition i would want you to rate the intensity of pain on a scale on 1 to 10.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Pankaj Borade (26 hours later)

I am not diabetic, have never smoked, although I have lived most of my life with smokers. My blood pressure is occasionally on the high side, but usually just when I go to the dr.
I have not been aware of this problem with my parents, who are both deceased. I have had the same episodes before, but the pain was not as strong. They were recent..the past few months.
No problems with vision or vomiting
I had a recent sinus congestion, no upper respiratory issues or fever with this.
I do have a recent sweet tooth.

Answered by Dr. Pankaj Borade (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sinusitis is likely, still needs confirmation

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for reply.
A history of sinusitis with the presented symptoms, and considering the information we have. A condition of sinusitis appears very likely. Sinusitis is often characterised by tenderness over sinus and pain. However absence of fever goes against it though.
In often cases sinusitis takes time to resolve even with higher antibiotics. A change of antibiotics can always be considered with your treating doctor if adequate period has passed.
Possibly a thorough local inspectory and palpatory examination can yield us confirmed diagnosis.
Therefore I consider it appropriate to advice you a consultation to your near physician to have thorough assessment.

Welcome for further suggestions.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj