Question: I have had ongoing ear and neck pain for 3 months. Physical exam and lab work has shown nothing positive for any disease. I seem to go through cycles of fatigue, chills, increased discomfort deep inside ear and in throat & neck, ache/pain in the center of my right upper chest area that seems to radiate toward the back and collarbone- only on right side. About 4 weeks ago, I began feeling a sunburned sensation on my face and front of arms and legs. I have an intermittent, unproductive, dry cough... lasts for an evening here and there. Everything seemed to start with a stabbing headache in two spots on right side of head but subsided after two weeks. Headache only returns when ear, throat, neck pain worsen. I have had a slight fever on two occassions. As symptoms feel like they are easing, the ear and neck discomfort never go away. My primary doesn't know what to do with me. I'm growing anxious with the persistence of symptoms. I will feel like I am improving, and then all the symptoms return. This is the third cycle in 3+ months. yesterday, it seemed like my right eye was tearing and right side of face looked more tired than left- right side felt tingly and numb. I would like to rule out serious illness... a neuro doc has ordered an MRI... but that isn't going to tell me what's happening in my ear/neck area. Any suggestion on how I should present all of this when I speak to doctors... it's a lot of different symptoms and 10 minute visits don't seem to be enough to connect the dots. Symptoms touch upon so many possible causes. Is it possible that multiple things can be going on?