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What Causes Ear Pain Radiating To Shoulder And Neck While Recovering From Shingles?

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Posted on Wed, 7 Oct 2015
Question: I have had ear pain for a month. Had two courses of antibiotics . the pain is now under my ear and radiates to the shoulder and neck. I have tried everything. the dr said that there was fluid in both ears. It also feels like a pinched nerve on my face on the left side. I am recovering from shingles
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukund Savaskar (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Facial Shingles with Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

Detailed Answer:
Provisional Impression-Facial Shingles with Post-Herpetic Neuralgia with
Otitis Externa/Otitis media

Hi,Thanks for your query to HCM.
I reviewed your case.
All these symptoms were from Shingles,from which you are recovering.
Shingles have spread down from the Ear to your shoulder.

Plan of Investigaion-
In such a scenario,I would suggest- Second Opinion from Neuro-physician after CT of Skull and Spinal Cord,to study the Shingles involvement of Spinal cord,which is complicating your case.This would also help your doctors to study any external/middle ear,as feared from your doctor.

Plan of Treatment -
Hence it needs to be supplemented under cover of you doctor with -

Steroids-Prednisone-to control the damage from acute inflammation due to viral infection.
Vit B12-Inj to control the neuralgic radiating pains with shingles
Neurontin-Gabapentin to control post-herpetic neuralgic/ radiating pain from Ear to shoulder and neck.
To control further spread of shingles Get a shot of Zostavax-vaccine with guidance from your doctor.

A review of the treatment on the above lines would help you to get relief from the Post-Herpetic neuralgia,which is challenging condition to treat.

Fluid in the ear diagnosed by your doctor would need Ent Surgeons Second opinion,to rule out shingles Otitis Externa/and or otitis media.

Take help of your family doctor to work on the above lines,as your case is complicated and needs very meticulous watch for preventing and treating coming up complications of Shingles,if any.

Hope this reply would help to plan treatment with your team of doctors as suggested above,if need be.

Welcome for further query in this regard.

Will appreciate if you hit thanks and write review comments to help needy patient visitors like you at HCM.

Wishing you fast recovery.
Good day!!
Dr.Savaskar M.N.
M.S.Genl-CVTS, XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist
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. Neel Kudchadkar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Mukund Savaskar

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 3606 Questions

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What Causes Ear Pain Radiating To Shoulder And Neck While Recovering From Shingles?

Brief Answer: Facial Shingles with Post-Herpetic Neuralgia Detailed Answer: Provisional Impression-Facial Shingles with Post-Herpetic Neuralgia with Otitis Externa/Otitis media Hi,Thanks for your query to HCM. I reviewed your case. All these symptoms were from Shingles,from which you are recovering. Shingles have spread down from the Ear to your shoulder. Plan of Investigaion- In such a scenario,I would suggest- Second Opinion from Neuro-physician after CT of Skull and Spinal Cord,to study the Shingles involvement of Spinal cord,which is complicating your case.This would also help your doctors to study any external/middle ear,as feared from your doctor. Plan of Treatment - Hence it needs to be supplemented under cover of you doctor with - Steroids-Prednisone-to control the damage from acute inflammation due to viral infection. Vit B12-Inj to control the neuralgic radiating pains with shingles Neurontin-Gabapentin to control post-herpetic neuralgic/ radiating pain from Ear to shoulder and neck. To control further spread of shingles Get a shot of Zostavax-vaccine with guidance from your doctor. A review of the treatment on the above lines would help you to get relief from the Post-Herpetic neuralgia,which is challenging condition to treat. Fluid in the ear diagnosed by your doctor would need Ent Surgeons Second opinion,to rule out shingles Otitis Externa/and or otitis media. Take help of your family doctor to work on the above lines,as your case is complicated and needs very meticulous watch for preventing and treating coming up complications of Shingles,if any. Hope this reply would help to plan treatment with your team of doctors as suggested above,if need be. Welcome for further query in this regard. Will appreciate if you hit thanks and write review comments to help needy patient visitors like you at HCM. Wishing you fast recovery. Good day!! Dr.Savaskar M.N. M.S.Genl-CVTS, XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist