Hi. I have been having a recurring problem since 2006. I have been to 5 doctors and none of them have been able to figure out exactly what it is. It always starts with persistent ear pain in my left ear and a very tender throat. Initially I am always told that I probably have an infection and given a round of antibiotics. In all 5 cases, after the culture was returned, I was told that I did not have an infection and that it must be allergies. I travel a lot for work and that started to make sense, as at one point, the problem went away for a year while I was in a different country with a drier climate. I had my tonsils removed when I was 18. I am 40 now. The most recent incidence started last December and has been the longest (almost 6 months). I also have an extremely tender rough patch on the roof of my mouth that hurts whenever I eat or even when breathing through my mouth during exercise (which I do 2 hours of per day). During this incidence I have been to 2 doctors. I do not think it is GERD as I have followed the candida diet for 10 years and have no heartburn symptoms. I fear it could be cancer (as everyone always fears), but the doctors always tell me I am too young for it to be cancer and thus do not take me seriously, so I am not even sure if they are looking for this or considering it during the exam, as the answer is always too young if I ask a 2nd time. I do look much younger than 40, but my age is right there on the chart so I assume they realize that. Also, I smoked for almost 20 years. I also had a physical last September and was told I was in perfect health with perfect weight. Should I seek out another ENT s opinion (the 6th)? Thank you.