Suggest Treatment For Intermittent Pain In The Neck

Posted on Tue, 16 Aug 2016

Question: I have a severe intermittent pain behind toward the top of my left ear. The pain comes at the rate of every minute or two. I just got back from the emergency room where they took a ct scan of my neck which is fine but no one looked at the point that hurts. BTW turning my head has no impact on the pain. This has been going on for 2 days - a combo of advil and tylenol help but do not completely clear.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Could be due to a viral infection.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone very carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Ideally a clinical examination would have been needed. However, that is beyond the scope of this discussion. Irrespective of whether you have neck pain, you could be suffering from a simple viral infection. I need to ask if you have cough. If you do, the thickened mucus could have blocked the thin tubes connecting the inner throat with the middle ear, leading to pressure differences in the middle ear, and hence the pain. If that is the case, taking steam inhalation should help in diluting the mucus and should thus provide relief. Continue to take tylenol if required.

I would wait to hear back from you.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (4 hours later)

Thank you. The physician's assistant did look in the ear and said it looked ok. I will continue to use tylenol but tylenol by itself does nothing without combination of Advil. I have also been using an antihistamine, because I am covered in chigger bites. I am on an island in Lake XXXXXXX There are no medical facilities here. I took a trip to the mainland urgent care for this issue. I just woke up from pain since the painkillers have worn off. I won't be able to see my primary care physician until Thursday (ferry reservations+driving). If it was just a matter of bearing the pain, I wouldn't be as concerned. I am prone to cysts but I don't feel a swelling. I am concerned about a small bug but it would have had to travel a couple of inches into my ear. I will try taking a decongestant to see if that helps but it doesn't really feel like a sinus infection. My blood pressure was 170 in hospital but pain could acount for that. Any other thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Feel free to write back to me if needed.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I understand the limiting situations that you are in. You can feel free to take a combination of Advil but make sure to take it in full stomach as this medicine is known for its irritative properties on the stomach. Do contact me back if you feel that I could guide you further. As of now, I feel that the steam inhalation would help.

No other specific thoughts as of now.

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