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What Causes Headache, Swelling In Temple Area And Tinnitus?

Posted on Fri, 1 Apr 2016

Question: Hi,

I had a tonsil/ear infection 2 years back and my ear was completely blocked by infection and I took antibiotics. My hearing came back but now from last 2 years I have headache and swelling at my temporal area just above the ear. My nerves near the ear region pf temloral area are also swellon. I had a CT scan of Brain which was normal. I took migraine medicine which helped to some extent for headache. Also, from last 2 years I have also suffering feom lot of tensions so I get headache all over my head also. I have tinnitus which sounds all over my head feels like due to tension and head nerves but the tinnitus is lot on my right ear where I have swelling. Also, there is a very small cyst near tonsil throat which doctor said not required to be removed as of now.

To summarize,
1. I have swelling and more prominant tinnitus on my right temporal region.
2. Nerves near ear region of temporal area are swollon.
3. Overall tinnitus on head (like heaviness and constant buzzing) which feels like due to tension on head nerves or something like that.
4. Overall headache but more headache near temporal region above ear.
5. Small cyst near tonsil and throat.
6. CT , EEG were normal.
7. Taking Migraine medicine which helped in headache but not helped for tinnitus and swelling.
8. Hearing is normal and no hearing loss.
9. Also, feel dizziness and vomiting most of the time.
10. I also have hypothyroidism and thyroid are normal with medicine.
11. I have high thyroid antibodies both TPO and TG

What could be the treatment options? Also I am looking to get HRCT of Temporal Region in case something can be detected in that? Is it OK where and how can I get the HRCT done in New Delhi/Bangalore?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Trigeminal Neuralgia and TMJD can cause swelling and tinnitus.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Trigeminal Neuralgia and Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorders can cause swelling and tinnitus.

2. The muscle spasms are worsened by stress and tension similar to tension headaches. Does your tinnitus worsen when you clench your teeth?

3. Muscle relaxants and a dental guard or splint should help settle this swelling and tinnitus.

4. The dizziness and nausea, /vomiting/ retching may be due to side effects of migraine medication, gastritis or cervical muscle spasm.

5. The tonsil cyst requires no treatment. The hypothyroidism seems to be under control.

6. Any Scan center with a 128 slice CT Scan machine will be better for an HRCT.

I hope that I have answered all your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (43 hours later)

Hi,

When I clench the teeth, the tinnitus sound changes by it is very difficult to know I it is worse because my tinnitus is very loud and clenching the teeth makes the tinnitus sound to change but loudness remains same.

Could you please let me know any good muscle relaxant which I can take with amitriptyline and how much dose?

Also,

Currently a doctor has prescribed me Zerograine Plus and Anixfree. So, which one is better option to take?

1. Zerograine Plus and Anixfree
2. Amitriptyline

Can I take Zerograine Plus and Amitriptyline? Do I need to take muscel relaxant?

Could you pleae suggest a good combination of medicine doses among Zerograine Plus, Amitriptyline, Anixfree and a Muscel Relaxant?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get a dental splint/guard. Try out medications to find the ones that help.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Zerograin Plus will be the best medication for migraine.

2. You can take a trial for 10 days with amitriptyline, preferable after stopping Zerograin Plus. You can shift back if this does not work.

3. Muscle relaxants include chlorzoxazone (Flexon MR), cyclobenzaprine (Skelebenz), thiocolchicoside (Myoril). You will need a prescription of a local doctor.

4. Anixfree seems to be an anti-anxiety medication. Avoid this as far as possible.

5. Get a dental (occlusal) splint/ guard to relax the jaw and treat the TMJD which may be the contributing to your tinnitus.

6. An eardrum examination, PTA (Pure Tone Audiogram) and an Impedance Audiogram (I/A) should be done. Upload the reports here.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 days later)

Hi,

Could you please let me know which one will be better option HRCT Temporal Bone with Contrast or Without Contrast.

Also, I am starting the course of Elavil (amitriptyline) and migrabeta as prescibed by my local doctor for 2 months. Could you let me know if I can take a muscel relaxant along with these medicine and which muscel relaxant can I take along with amitriptyline and migrabeta and for how long?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
plain HRCT Temporal Bones first.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. The HRCT Temporal Bones should be plain with contrast only used if anything abnormal is seen. It is better to combine an 3 Tesla MRI Scan if contrast is needed.

2. Any of the above mentioned muscle relaxants is fine. Get a prescription from your local doctor.

I hope that I have answered your query. 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