Severe pain around right ear, jaw, neck temple.

[pxgq55]

Tried posting this earlier. If it duplicates, I apologize. Anyway...

Firstly, I'm creating this topic to hopefully get some info for a friend of mine. She was awakened by what she thought was jaw pain several nights ago. Thinking it was due to sleeping on the side of her face wrong, she adjusted and went back to sleep. Once waking up, she realized that the pain was still present and was not isolated in the jaw, but seemed to stem from around the ear and up into the temple as well. She then scheduled an appointment with her primary care physician who diagnosed her with an ear infection. The next day, the pain was worse. And by day three, she described it as blinding pain. She was now running a fever along with being nauseous and having diarrhea. She then visited her doctor again. This time, he said that it was mastoiditis and gave her some anti-inflammatories and medication for pain. When she returned home, the pain was worsening. She couldn't sleep because of it and the pain medication had no effect. The next evening, the fever persisted so she decided to go to the E.R. The doctor there said that it surely wasn't an ear infection or mastoiditis, but said it was probably a cholesteaoma. They did a cat scan at the hospital and didn't detect anything abnormal. The following day, the pan was worsening still, fever persisting, so she mad an appointment with an ear, nose, throat specialist who took a look and said that it was definitely not an ear infection, mastoiditis, or a cholesteaoma. He said it was most likely TMJ and said that she should get to the dentist to rule out that and/or a possible tooth problem. She went to the dentist yesterday and all x-rays came back clear. there were no jaw or tooth issues whatsoever. She's at a loss and the pain, at this point, is keeping her from sleep, work, and daily activities. The pain is worsening by the day but she doesn't know what to do at this point. Every appointment has debunked the former diagnosis and now she's back at square one. Are there any conditions that could cause a referred pain to this area? if anyone has any suggestions as to what kind of specialist she should see, at this point, or what kinds of questions she should be asking, please feel free to share. I'm just trying to find out a little info so that she can get this obviously worsening condition fixed. Thank you.

[Monsterlove]

Try acupuncture and maybe another dentist (take the x-rays)...maybe she needs her bite adjusted...I was thinking dental, too..wisdom teeth or something like that...but check out at least one very good Chinese doctor/acupuncturist if she really wants to get some help.

[Unregistered]

could it be temporal arteritis? jaw pain is one symptom.

see http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/000448.htm

it is important to get diagnosed and treated promptly to avoid complications.

[synesthesia]

TMJ will not show on an X-ray unless it has been going on a long time...

Most folks know when they grind their teeth at night. My girlfriend does this, and knows it happens.

I think your friend should look into this further... They make little rubber tooth guards you can put between your teeth to help stop grinding. This sounds like an inexpensive thing to try.

[Med Student]

Sounds like she needs a neurologist.

[Unregistered]

Tried posting this earlier. If it duplicates, I apologize. Anyway...

Firstly, I'm creating this topic to hopefully get some info for a friend of mine. She was awakened by what she thought was jaw pain several nights ago. Thinking it was due to sleeping on the side of her face wrong, she adjusted and went back to sleep. Once waking up, she realized that the pain was still present and was not isolated in the jaw, but seemed to stem from around the ear and up into the temple as well. She then scheduled an appointment with her primary care physician who diagnosed her with an ear infection. The next day, the pain was worse. And by day three, she described it as blinding pain. She was now running a fever along with being nauseous and having diarrhea. She then visited her doctor again. This time, he said that it was mastoiditis and gave her some anti-inflammatories and medication for pain. When she returned home, the pain was worsening. She couldn't sleep because of it and the pain medication had no effect. The next evening, the fever persisted so she decided to go to the E.R. The doctor there said that it surely wasn't an ear infection or mastoiditis, but said it was probably a cholesteaoma. They did a cat scan at the hospital and didn't detect anything abnormal. The following day, the pan was worsening still, fever persisting, so she mad an appointment with an ear, nose, throat specialist who took a look and said that it was definitely not an ear infection, mastoiditis, or a cholesteaoma. He said it was most likely TMJ and said that she should get to the dentist to rule out that and/or a possible tooth problem. She went to the dentist yesterday and all x-rays came back clear. there were no jaw or tooth issues whatsoever. She's at a loss and the pain, at this point, is keeping her from sleep, work, and daily activities. The pain is worsening by the day but she doesn't know what to do at this point. Every appointment has debunked the former diagnosis and now she's back at square one. Are there any conditions that could cause a referred pain to this area? if anyone has any suggestions as to what kind of specialist she should see, at this point, or what kinds of questions she should be asking, please feel free to share. I'm just trying to find out a little info so that she can get this obviously worsening condition fixed. Thank you.

i have a similar problem that reocurres and have yet to find a good diagnosis,however i was told i have a unique ear canal and i am susseptable to airborn bacteria,i have to take antibiotics often and take large (800 mg) ibuprofin regularly to keep the swelling down,but i must say my ear itches also so maybe its not the same,but if mine swells it gets out of control and pushes my jaw out of place

[accesspooh]

Hey i saw your msg and maybe i can help.I have the same problem and have been thru similiar course of actions and meds.It doesnt help.Firstly the main reason is stress or tension.......which can be elevated by the clenching of teeth.She may nt be aware dat shez tensed because neither was i,apparently sumthin at a subconsious level can trigger it off.So keepin cal or taking a breakk helps.Secondly applying heat help the area,this is for sure. Also sleeping with your head in an elevated position helps. There is am afrraid no permanent sol to this but i've noticed that if i mentally tell myself to not get tensed up(esp during my exams since i m a student)it helps and frequently taking precautions like not biting into sumthin hard or large prevents the jaw from getting worked up.Dats all i can think of.....i sincerely hope i helped!

Firstly, I'm creating this topic to hopefully get some info for a friend of mine. She was awakened by what she thought was jaw pain several nights ago. Thinking it was due to sleeping on the side of her face wrong, she adjusted and went back to sleep. Once waking up, she realized that the pain was still present and was not isolated in the jaw, but seemed to stem from around the ear and up into the temple as well. She then scheduled an appointment with her primary care physician who diagnosed her with an ear infection. The next day, the pain was worse. And by day three, she described it as blinding pain. She was now running a fever along with being nauseous and having diarrhea. She then visited her doctor again. This time, he said that it was mastoiditis and gave her some anti-inflammatories and medication for pain. When she returned home, the pain was worsening. She couldn't sleep because of it and the pain medication had no effect. The next evening, the fever persisted so she decided to go to the E.R. The doctor there said that it surely wasn't an ear infection or mastoiditis, but said it was probably a cholesteaoma. They did a cat scan at the hospital and didn't detect anything abnormal. The following day, the pan was worsening still, fever persisting, so she mad an appointment with an ear, nose, throat specialist who took a look and said that it was definitely not an ear infection, mastoiditis, or a cholesteaoma. He said it was most likely TMJ and said that she should get to the dentist to rule out that and/or a possible tooth problem. She went to the dentist yesterday and all x-rays came back clear. there were no jaw or tooth issues whatsoever. She's at a loss and the pain, at this point, is keeping her from sleep, work, and daily activities. The pain is worsening by the day but she doesn't know what to do at this point. Every appointment has debunked the former diagnosis and now she's back at square one. Are there any conditions that could cause a referred pain to this area? if anyone has any suggestions as to what kind of specialist she should see, at this point, or what kinds of questions she should be asking, please feel free to share. I'm just trying to find out a little info so that she can get this obviously worsening condition fixed. Thank you. [/QUOTE]

[Number4]

Seriously try Atlas Profilax. Don't know where you are, but there aren't that many practitioners in the US. Mostly Europe. DO NOT do the chiropractic version. I can attest to this.

[I have those symptoms...]

....and found out that the cause may be Exostosis. I went to the dentist thinking that the head, neck, temple and ear aches where caused by my wisdom teeth; the cause was Exostosis. Exostosis is the over growth of bone in the upper jaw (it can also be in the lower jaw and roof of the mouth). People that have severe exostosis can get the bony projections "filed" down with a tiny dental instrument to make the projections smaller. Just thought I would share this information I hope that it helps.

[Unregistered]

Tried posting this earlier. If it duplicates, I apologize. Anyway...

Firstly, I'm creating this topic to hopefully get some info for a friend of mine. She was awakened by what she thought was jaw pain several nights ago. Thinking it was due to sleeping on the side of her face wrong, she adjusted and went back to sleep. Once waking up, she realized that the pain was still present and was not isolated in the jaw, but seemed to stem from around the ear and up into the temple as well. She then scheduled an appointment with her primary care physician who diagnosed her with an ear infection. The next day, the pain was worse. And by day three, she described it as blinding pain. She was now running a fever along with being nauseous and having diarrhea. She then visited her doctor again. This time, he said that it was mastoiditis and gave her some anti-inflammatories and medication for pain. When she returned home, the pain was worsening. She couldn't sleep because of it and the pain medication had no effect. The next evening, the fever persisted so she decided to go to the E.R. The doctor there said that it surely wasn't an ear infection or mastoiditis, but said it was probably a cholesteaoma. They did a cat scan at the hospital and didn't detect anything abnormal. The following day, the pan was worsening still, fever persisting, so she mad an appointment with an ear, nose, throat specialist who took a look and said that it was definitely not an ear infection, mastoiditis, or a cholesteaoma. He said it was most likely TMJ and said that she should get to the dentist to rule out that and/or a possible tooth problem. She went to the dentist yesterday and all x-rays came back clear. there were no jaw or tooth issues whatsoever. She's at a loss and the pain, at this point, is keeping her from sleep, work, and daily activities. The pain is worsening by the day but she doesn't know what to do at this point. Every appointment has debunked the former diagnosis and now she's back at square one. Are there any conditions that could cause a referred pain to this area? if anyone has any suggestions as to what kind of specialist she should see, at this point, or what kinds of questions she should be asking, please feel free to share. I'm just trying to find out a little info so that she can get this obviously worsening condition fixed. Thank you.

I purchased some new dental floss and with in 24 hours these same conditions started. I am 47 years old and never had TMJ or jaw problems. I have been to the dentist 2 month's ago for a cleaning and x-rays and everything came up good. I will stop flossing for the next few days to see if it helps.