What Causes Right-sided Sore Spot Behind Ear, Neck And Nausea?

Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015

Question: Late May I had sore spot on my right side of head back behind ear. Also neck pain. Went to doctor thought it was alllergies. Gave me flonase didn't work. Went back and gave me stuff for drainage. By mid July pain went away for ten days. Then it came back. It was like shooting pains that would sk not even a second. Ne k pain was still there. Massages made it worse. Had a ct scan done and it came back clear and sinus looked great. Doctor thought it was migraines so he gave me imitrex and that didn't work. Then he put me on nortriptyline. It made me feel odd. Went to another doctor for a second opinion and had neck xrays and came back good. She sent me to neurologist. He said I had myofascial pain dealing with the three muscles in right occipital side. Sent to pain doctor and gave me nerve blocks. I still have neck pain and nausea. I've had lots of nausea. I've lost 15 pounds due to the anxiety of all of this. I can't work. Been to the er for dehydration. She put me on hydrocodone with acetaminophen and valium. It calms me down. I'm so scared I have something severely wrong like a brain tumor. What is rhis. I have an Mri on Tuesday which freaks me our. Nerve doc wants to check for nerve compression s and something with arthritis. Is this all stress related? I'm am depressed and on effex or amd I see a counselor.

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible Nerve Compression? MRI is the best investigative tool.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, XXXXXXX

I understand your concern.

I have gone through your query in detail.

This is not related to depression. You are feeling anxious since a right diagnosis and an appropriate treatment is not offered to you so far.

Since the CT came clear and sinuses are normal, sinusitis and brain tumor can be comfortably ruled out.

This isn't a migraine. Hence, anti migrainous drugs can be discontinued.

Nausea and Vomiting can be precipitated by nerve block and drugs like Nortriptyline, Hydrocodone and Valium.

Excessive vomiting can lead to dehydration as such.

Anxiety can in turn lead to excessive weight loss.

The Neck pain can be rightly assessed by MRI cervical spine.This can accurately detect Nerve compression if any.Coexistent arthritis can present in the neck bones causing you symptoms.Neck x-rays are not specific and are unreliable.

Your Nerve Doctor is guiding you well.

Further management is based on the test results.

So, do not freak out.Stay peaceful.Everything should be alright soon.

Update me test results of MRI.

Post your further queries if any,
Thank you.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

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