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!!
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
Em:Thanks! Actually, I was aware of the effect Pamelor has with pain control; many anti-depressants are used as adjuvants in pain management.
Good luck with your doctor. I hope you can get some relief.
I have TMJD and have gone through many surgeries/treatments etc......for it. I wouldn't recommend surgery to anyone. I also get severe ear pain which is related to the tmjd and can relate to what you are feeling. I suggest going to a pain clinic too.
There is no need to be in pain. There is pain meds that can help and I agree with another who posted that there is no need to worry about addiction if you are indeed taking it for legit pain control. I know others don't believe in long-term narcotics for chronic pain so I won't get into that debate. All I can say is that there is a difference between tolerance and addiction. Many confuse the two. Don't let that keep you away from getting meds that help you. There has to be something wrong for you to be having so much pain and I hope that you find a doctor who can offer you a diagnosis. You may have tmjd and feel that you should see an oral surgeon who specializes in tmjd. Just stay away from one that suggests surgery and please get other opinions. I have gone through many sinus surgeries because the ENT docs felt that was what was causing my pain. It wasn't. I know how aggravating it is to go from doctor to doctor and still not have any answers. It's also very expensive. Don't give up. Keep in touch,
JUDE
Originally posted by emmaline
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!!
There is no need to be in pain. There is pain meds that can help and I agree with another who posted that there is no need to worry about addiction if you are indeed taking it for legit pain control. I know others don't believe in long-term narcotics for chronic pain so I won't get into that debate. All I can say is that there is a difference between tolerance and addiction. Many confuse the two.
It really bothers me when patients tell me their docs have suggested their pain is anxiety related before ruling out all options. While I know that psychosomatic pain is POSSIBLE...I feel this is often an excuse docs use for NOT fully investigating the pain..and it is done most often to women.(ie hysterical response) Really peeves me too.
Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
Excellent advice from everyone. Just want to add one question--what is the state of your teeth? Any cavities, root canals, abscesses, etc? When was your last dental visit?
Hi emmaline, thank you for your reply and I hope they find something. I will be checking in from time to time if you do share the doctor's feedback. I am very interested in knowing more. When I see my doctor and I know what I'm talking about, he takes what I have to say more seriously and then I have no problem getting him to refer me to a specialist. Living on tyl.3 and ativan and lately gravol is killing me slowly. I have three beautiful children...two of those babies and I don't want them to remember their childhood with mommy being moody and tired all the time. Happy halloween.
Hi emmaline, thank you for your reply and I hope they find something. I will be checking in from time to time if you do share the doctor's feedback. I am very interested in knowing more. When I see my doctor and I know what I'm talking about, he takes what I have to say more seriously and then I have no problem getting him to refer me to a specialist. Living on tyl.3 and ativan and lately gravol is killing me slowly. I have three beautiful children...two of those babies and I don't want them to remember their childhood with mommy being moody and tired all the time. Happy halloween.
Hello mine, Thanks again for your response & the happy halloween wishes. Lots of fun watching the kids have a fun time in their cute costumes. I gave them lots of candy. I'm a big kid myself at halloween & Christmas. Guess what!! It's the 1st time I have left the Drs office with a smile on my face! (Thursday am). Saw a very experienced neurologist-he did a very thorough neurological exam- says he has seen this a lot, believes it is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). He explained it to me (as he was sitting relaxed in a chair!) and it sounded reasonable according to my symptoms. You know most Drs are on the way out of the room while you try to ask any questions, but this one was wonderful-everything you wish a Dr would be like! He said my ear pain will not get any better until the problem is taken care of. He had a MRI done yesterday, will get the results early part of next week.He's R/O any tumors, massive lesions, muscular atrophy, etc. From what he said, Most of the time PT & anti-inflammatories can take care of it- how nice that would be! Don't know if you have heard of this syndrome or not-there are lots of websites out there on it. One of them I found was:
Dr Dennis Thoen is the Dr with the Western Neurological Associates, Inc. @ Parkview Medical Center-Bldg.B, 1151 East 3900 South SLC, UT 84124, Tel: (801) 262-3441. Don't know where you are located, but just in case this could help you in any way, I'm passing it on. My prayers are that this will not only help me, but someone else or others in the process of passing the word around. Thanks mine! God Bless You! I'll let you know soon as I find out. Emmaline
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 Alicia, An update for you. Saw a wonderful neurologist this past Thursday. He did a very thorough neurological exam-said he believes it to be Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). He sat down in his chair & explained that & the treatment to me-can you believe a Dr that does this & not on his way out of the room when you try to find out some answers? He was so kind-made me feel better to know someone cares & is experienced & to give me some hope that there is a solution. Most of the time this can be taken care of with PT & anti-inflammatories. He says my ear pain will not get better until the problem is taken care of. He had a MRI done Friday-will get the results early next week-will let you know when I find out anything. He has to R/O any tumors, lesions, muscle atrophy, etc , of course. Don't know if you are familiar with this syndrome or not. Lots of websites out there on it. One that I found: http://ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/thoracic_doc.htm
The Dr I saw was Dennis D Thoen,MD @ Parkview Medical Center-Bldg B, 1151 East 3900 So, SLC, UT 84124 Tel: 801-262-3441 just in case this info might help you or anyone else. My prayers are that this will end my Dr search, that I along with possible others can find answers & pain relief. Thanks Alicia! Emmaline
If this is a neuritis, imflamation of the nerve supplying the area they might could give you steroids. Can't diagnose , nurses don't do that, but sounds like you need to see a pain specialist since you have seen your family doc and 2 ENT's. Good luck.
Hi mynika, an update about the ear pain. Saw a wonderful neurologist this past Thursday. He did a thorough neurological exam, finding what he believes to be Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). Most of the time this can be taken care of by PT & anti-inflammatories. But, he did do a MRI to R/O any possible lesions, tumors, muscular atrophy, etc. The ear pain will not subside until the problem is taken care of, he said. Will get the results on the MRI early next week. Don't know if you have heard of this syndrome or not-there are lots of websites out there. One I found was:
Thanks so much to you for the time & efforts you spent to help me! I love all you nurses! You've shown me a lot of concern & it's appreciated! Emmaline
I'm now going to PT for the TOS (thoracic outlet syndrome) problems, which I understand is suppose to alleviate the ear pain. Have an appointment with the pain clinic also, so I intend to keep that, since the ear pain is still 5/10 most of the time. Thanks to everyone who has helped with my questions. Thanks "mine" & good luck to you!! Emmaline
fab4fan
1,173 Posts
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
Em:Thanks! Actually, I was aware of the effect Pamelor has with pain control; many anti-depressants are used as adjuvants in pain management.
Good luck with your doctor. I hope you can get some relief.