Ear Pain and Falling

[bern]

I have severe chronic ear pain on the side of my NA.  I take otc pain relievers but nothing works. I also, after never falling while wearing my high heels for 20 years, fell hard the other day at work.  My body aches. 

Can someone help me about the ear pain. Is this normal and permanent? 

[wcrimi]

I don't have an answer for you, but it might help if you gave a little more information.

How long ago did you have your treatment? What Kind?

When in doubt, I think the best thing you can do is call whoever treated you. 

[sgerrard]

Hi Bern,

I don't think there is anything normal or permanent about chronic severe ear pain. If there is swelling of the GK treated AN, which can happen up to 18 months post treatment, it could cause ear pain as well as other symptoms involving the nerves in the area. The usual treatment is anti-inflammatory pain killers like Ibuprofen, or a course of steroids for more severe cases.

I know you have been struggling to find a physician to help you manage your symptoms. I would focus on your primary care doctor and an ENT, who should be able to help you manage pain in the ear. If it some other nerve issue, you might need to find a neurologist. ANs do cause balance issues as well, so you may need to be aware of that, and take care while you readjust your sense of balance.

I hope you find something.

Steve

[Syl]

I've been getting ear pain lately, too. It's usually associated with a headache, which starts in one location and works it's way to the ear. Tylenol seems to help me.

Syl

[windy]

I have had bouts of severe ear pain since GK, as well.  It did not happen in a severe way until three to four months, post GK.  I was taking as much as 1000 mg. of Advil per day with no relief from the right side ear pain.  My ear pain got to the point where it would wake me up all night, even with the Advil.  The pain also started affecting my cheek and neck on the right side only.  When I went to my ENT he said it was TMJ!  As he could not see an infection in my ear, he could not come up with anything else.  He said it was too late in recovery for it to be the tumor swelling.  I don't think he knows much about tumors and radiation.  It definitely was not TMJ because I know the symptoms from experience.

Fortunately, I had been prescribed a Medrol Dosepak the week before for a problem with my foot.  I took the Dosepak and it helped the pain tremendously!  Have you asked your doctors about prescribing steroids?  If it is from tumor swelling and affecting the nerves, the medicine should give you some very needed relief.  I wish you well!! 

[mk]

I am wondering if it is the trigeminal nerve that's causing that pain. It is not uncommon for the trigeminal nerve to act up after treatment, no matter if it is surgery or radiation and the pain can be quite severe. Quite a few forumites have used meds such as Neurontin for nerve pain, may be you guys should ask your doctors about this?

Marianna