In researching my symptoms, I came across this post (below) that describes my symptoms as well. I'm looking for a connection between IBS and ear/neck pain and how to effectively remedy the situation...
"Since I've had IBS symptoms the last year or so, my throat on the left side feels "tight" at times. It's not really painful, but the "pain" is felt from about an inch below my ear and runs somewhat diagonally towards my Adam's apple. It feels scratchy at times, and then feels like a slight trobbing pain. Sometimes it radiates to around my ear and as low as my collar bone. ALL on my left side.I'm not coughing, but I have at times phlegm in my throat and have to clear it. Also, the left side of my nose gets stopped up. I feel no lumps or swelling. My saliva is always clear - no yellow green or red.This discomfort acts like IBS symptoms - it starts and stops randomly, just like my abdominal pains used to, with no rhyme or reason pattern to it - a few days of discomfort, then a day or so of nothing. It's been going on for a little over a year. I've been to the Dr. twice about this. Once I was given a steroid nose spray, the other time an antibiotic. Neither seemed to make the symptoms go away permanently.I've read that GERD has similar symptoms, but I don't get the heartburn or any other upper-GI sensations associated with it. Just the pain I described above. Anyway, I'm making an appointment to see an ENT. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this problem."