I'm 47 y/o with chronic & constant (L) ear pain, a frequent sore throat & occasional laryngitis, often pain ranges from 5/10 to 8/10. PHP has given me ABx's x's 3 due to sore throat (not strep)-later felt slightly better a day or so, but back to the S/S's again. An ENT told me he was sure I had TMJ disorder, did no testing, told me to stay on a soft diet for 3 wks, which didn't help. A 2nd opinion, ENT, did Cat Scan, cleaned ear, did hearing test, movements of the jaw----nothing showed up. Says its definitely not TMJ. Suggested I go to a pain clinic or to a neurologist. Don't want to live in pain , or get hooked on pain meds. My dentist found nothing wrong on x-rays, but I wonder if there could be an infection or something wrong that's not showing on the x-rays. Just want some good nursing opinions or suggestions. I appreciate you & this site, just would love to alleviate this pain!!
"I've talked to a pain clinic-can't get me in until latter Dec."
DON'T SETTLE FOR THAT! Insist on an appointment NOW. If that means showing up at the ER every day, do so. If that means repeated phone calls to your PCP, then put your PCP on speed dial. Nobody is going to care if you are in pain and have to put up with it for another couple of months if YOU don't care enough to be willing to be a pain in someone else's butt. Why should they? Is simply waiting another couple of months what you would advise a patient that you liked? Then why do it yourself?
(And you can consider THIS a kick in YOUR butt!)
Remember:
I like your attitude & umph! You're right! I would not like my patients to suffer this way; it's time I stand up for myself as well! Thanks; I'll go forward with determination, thanks to Sjoe! Emmaline
The neuro doc is a good suggestion. Trigeminal neuralgia may be an answer I don't know. But I have found a goodie for sore throat/tongue.
My doc gave me Magic Mouthwash only with KaoPectate instead of Maalox. 1 part Xylocaine Viscous, 1 part KaoPectate, 1 part Benadryl liquid. You have to find a compoiunding pharmacist to make it up. It's helped immensely with this nasty pneumonia/cough/sneeze etc with pleurisy I have had this past week.
You nurses are all T-riffic!! I appreciate all the great suggestions I am being given-thanks P_RN for the Mouthwash idea-will try that. I've talked with a pain clinic-can't get in till Dec, but I'm going to be more persistent. I wouldn't want my patients to suffer this much, so I don't plan on being a very 'patient' patient, I guess. I have plans on seeing a neurologist soon. Thanks so very much for your response & suggestions!!! Emmaline
If you can get in to see a neurologist, they can probably get you in to see a pain mgmt specialist associated with them. I have chronic back pain and am seeing a pain mgmt specialist associated with the neuro group who treated me for my back problems.
It has saved my life because Pamalor raises your pain threshold. In Oncology we are able to give half the dose of Morphine if a normal dose of Pamalor is given.
If you can get in to see a neurologist, they can probably get you in to see a pain mgmt specialist associated with them. I have chronic back pain and am seeing a pain mgmt specialist associated with the neuro group who treated me for my back problems.
Thanks so much for your response, a great idea; I plan to follow your suggestion. You nurses are all so wonderful & helpful. Good luck & may God continue to help you!!! Emmaline
It has saved my life because Pamalor raises your pain threshold. In Oncology we are able to give half the dose of Morphine if a normal dose of Pamalor is given.
Hope you feel better,
Barbara
Thanks so much for your response, also for info on Pamalor. I'll be sure to ask the neurologist when I see him about it. Have a daughter that has fibromyalgia that also might find some relief with the Pamalor. Nurses have all been so empathetic & helpful- may God bless you all for all the TLC that you give & especially help you to be pain free!!!!Thanks so very much!! Emmaline
Sharan: Kudos to you for "getting it" when it comes to pain mgmt. It's amazing the misinformation that is still out there.
Hi fab4fan[/i] ! Got the message loud & clear, yep, I know you are right about pain meds, I just need to take up for myself this time. I'm to see a neurologist soon; I plan to ask him about the drug, Pamalor, that I have received info on-as it raises the pain threshold. You probably know about this med-if not I can e-mail the info that I have to you. I appreciate so much your response & for the good laugh you gave me-bet you are lots of fun to work with & a super nurse! Thanks, Emmaline
I had the same type of symptoms. I took Tylenol Allergy Sinus at the suggestion of my NP and it worked great although I thought she was crazy at the time. I ended up having pretty bad allegies that caused fluid to build up in my ears making everyhting hurt something awful. There are so many things that cause pain...sometimes it is hard to pinpoint the exact reason. I just hope you get relief!
I had the same type of symptoms. I took Tylenol Allergy Sinus at the suggestion of my NP and it worked great although I thought she was crazy at the time. I ended up having pretty bad allegies that caused fluid to build up in my ears making everyhting hurt something awful. There are so many things that cause pain...sometimes it is hard to pinpoint the exact reason. I just hope you get relief!
Hi Alicia, Thanks for your response; that would be great if an OTC drug would take care of my pain-I'll try that shortly. Plan to see a neurologist this week, hoping he can find the problem &/or get me into a pain clinic. Another nurse told me about Pamalor, a drug that helps to raise the pain threshold. Warmth helps some. Anyway, I plan to be more assertive with the doctor this week. I appreciate your taking the time & efforts to help me. Nurses are very caring, giving people! Good luck to you with your allergy problems!!! Emmaline
Hello, I am new here and a bit nervous as I have never wrote or participated in any threads before. But when I read what you had to say about the pain in your (L) ear and throat...I could not believe someone else had that. I too have been having the same pain for over three years and have been living off pain pills and have been to see numerous doctors. I was told that I am stressed out and to learn relaxation exercises and to not take things seriously. I am grateful to know it is not in my head and I too will look at the options and advice that were brought up in the thread. I know the pain and it's too bad to see someone else with it but it is also a relief for me after three years of thinking...maybe I was crazy and bringing this upon myself. I hope things work out for you and I wish you the best of luck. Thank you so much for sharing this and also you nurses for your opinions. This has really given me hope in finding a way to get rid of this and that one day, I can wake up pain free for just one day even. Thank again!!!
Hello, I am new here and a bit nervous as I have never wrote or participated in any threads before. But when I read what you had to say about the pain in your (L) ear and throat...I could not believe someone else had that. I too have been having the same pain for over three years and have been living off pain pills and have been to see numerous doctors. I was told that I am stressed out and to learn relaxation exercises and to not take things seriously. I am grateful to know it is not in my head and I too will look at the options and advice that were brought up in the thread. I know the pain and it's too bad to see someone else with it but it is also a relief for me after three years of thinking...maybe I was crazy and bringing this upon myself. I hope things work out for you and I wish you the best of luck. Thank you so much for sharing this and also you nurses for your opinions. This has really given me hope in finding a way to get rid of this and that one day, I can wake up pain free for just one day even. Thank again!!!
Hello mine, thanks so much for responding to me!! For sure, I can relate to your pain & frustrations, particularly since you have had this pain for 3 yrs! I feel sorry for you too! One nurse who sent me a message says she is a chronic pain sufferer & has gotten amazing relief with Pamalor, (non-addictive), as it raises the pain threshold. Read this link:
In oncology they are able to give half the dose of morphine if a normal dose of Pamalor is given.
I have an appointment with a neurologist tomorrow, hoping & trying to keep my faith up that he will be able to find the problem. A new symptom I've had the last 2 days is pain in the (L) shoulder,radiating down into my arm to the wrist area-maybe denoting a nerve problem? Will let you know if I find out anything definite. Thanks a million!! Emmaline
I don't have an answer for you, sorry. But, i was diagnosed with sinusitis and otitis media recently and doc put me on Amoxicillin. Felt much better, then after i got off antibiotic, my left ear was all blocked up and my sore throat and cough came back. I went back and they said that I had eustacian tube dysfunction; there was fluid. theygave me zyrtec and nasonex, still doesn't help. My sore throat is better right now; still have a cough and ear is still blocked. There is no wax or an infection process going on.
My ear throbs too; there is no pain except for when the sore throat comes on. Sorry, didn't mean to switch the subject to me.
emmaline
16 Posts
I like your attitude & umph! You're right! I would not like my patients to suffer this way; it's time I stand up for myself as well! Thanks; I'll go forward with determination, thanks to Sjoe! Emmaline