Question: Introduction to symptoms:
In February 2024, I developed symptoms of esophageal reflux. First, I felt pain near the teeth in my mouth, which gradually worsened. Later, I developed typical reflux symptoms such as stomach ache and chest pain, as well as pain inside the ear. Since the onset of the disease, the main symptom that has tortured me the most is the continuous pain inside the left ear and near the lower teeth on the left side. The symptoms in the ear are much more severe than those in the teeth, which is very torturous. The right side also has this symptom, but it does not involve the teeth. It is not continuous, but occasionally. and the degree is much lighter than the left side, which is tolerable. It is not an exaggeration to say that the symptoms on the left side are inhuman. This pain is very strange/weird, and the strongest painkillers are not effective at all. The severity of this symptom has caused me not only to be unable to leave the house, but also to be unable to stand up at home, which is extremely painful.

In May 2024, I had a gastroscopy, which showed gastroesophageal reflux, antral erosive gastritis, and small hiatal hernia. The results of the gastroscopy performed by the same doctor more than a year ago did not have these problems.

At present, my right stomach pain has improved, slowly but gradually, but the most unbearable pain around the teeth and in the ear has not improved.

Current medications:
levothyroxine 100mcg/day
pantoprazole 40mgx2/day
lyrica 100mgx2/day
valium 7.5mgx2/day

Medical history:

1. Thyroid cancer was found in 2014 and a total resection was performed. There was no recurrence or metastasis after the operation and the patient has recovered.

2. After the above operation, severe hypothyroidism caused gastric ulcer and reflux. After half a year, the symptoms were controlled by taking PPI and valium; after one year, the symptoms recurred and were controlled again by PPI, valium and gabapentin (lyrica).
3. Multiple uterine fibroids, the largest of which is more than 5cm

Consultation questions:

1. Is the pain around the teeth and inside the ears caused by reflux? If so, how to explain this atypical reflux symptom? If the reflux is controlled, will this symptom gradually disappear?

2. Through research, pharyngeal reflux can cause tooth corrosion, thereby causing pain around the teeth; reflux can also cause Eustachian tube dysfunction, thereby causing pain in the inner ear. Are these the causes of my symptoms? Do I need to see a dentist or ENT doctor for relevant examinations and treatment?

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it.!