Stabbing pains behind ears

arfaitis
arfaitis Member Posts: 155
edited 21. Oct 2012, 07:07 in Living with Arthritis archive
I am having very sharp pains behind both ears, only sporadic, they just come and go and last about 20 seconds maximum.
I have had them for a fortnight on and off, they are not all the time, I suppose maximum has been about 15 times a day, sometimes behind one ear some days behind both, never seems to be the same times.
It is quite severe and gives me a some anxiety, so much so I went to the doctors who admitted he hadn't a clue, he inspected my ears and there is no infection.
I wear hearing aids but it happens whether I wear them or not.
I am thinking of getting in touch with my audiology department, to see if they have any suggestions
Does anybody else have it?

Arfa

Comments

  • Soretoe2
    Soretoe2 Member Posts: 198
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello arfaitis,
    I also get similar pains sometimes which the docs have attributed to nerve damage in my neck.
    Do you have any cervical spine problems?
    On the other hand you say you have hearing aids. I don't have hearing aids but wondered in they could be rubbing a bit and perhaps irritating a nerve behind the ear.
    It is only a suggestion. I have a lot of nerve damage in various bits of me and it is surprising how pain can be referred up the nerve endings to other areas close by.
    I would definitely contact the audiology department for a chat. They may have had other people with the same problem and be able to help you.
    Hope you get an answer soon and feel less anxious about it. Joy
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,781
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Has the doc investigated your jaw as a possibility as well ??

    Just a thought.

    I think stabbing pains are one of the hardest to treat aren't they and you can't relax waiting for the next one to come :(

    Love and sympathy

    Toni xx
  • arfaitis
    arfaitis Member Posts: 155
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for your comments, doctor could only offer me paracetamol, well everybody knows that we can hide pain, but we need to cure it.
    Now laying in bed last night, I thought what do I do differently at night for me not to get it then, then it dawned on me, I tried going without hearing aids in the day and that didn't help, and then I thought I don't wear my glasses in bed. So now I am wondering if my glasses have put pressure on the back of my ears, I looked out an old pair that don't seem to hug the back of my ears so hard, to see if it helps, so far today I haven't had any pains but the day is young yet.
    Having said that I believe there is something wrong for me to get them pains, so they will need sorting one way or another.
    I have Googled the net and I find many different exclamations for this common ailment, and I don't like what I have read, I will telephone Audio on Monday to see if they have any Ideas, perhaps they may get me referred to a consultant, but more than likely they will tell me to see my own GP. :? :?:

    Arfa
  • Soretoe2
    Soretoe2 Member Posts: 198
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's very possible that specs could do this Arfa.
    Sometimes it takes a bit of detective work to get to the bottom of things.Try not to worry too much about what you've read in your Googling, imaginations can run riot if we let them.
    Let us know how you get on after contacting the Audio Department on Monday.
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Arfa
    I am with Tonie, there is a possibility it could be coming from your jaw, this is the only place I can think of that would do this...but I could be wrong.
    Hopefully some one will come forward with some more advice.
    You take care x
    Love
    Barbara
  • arfaitis
    arfaitis Member Posts: 155
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well I have tried everything, leaving my glasses off and leaving my hearing aids out, but nothing seems to be the cause, I don't think it is my jaw as I am in remission, and haven't had any RA pain from there for at least 3 years.
    It has been suggested that it is something like optical neuritis, from what I can get from the Web, but I doubt it, if it is optical neuritis that is not good at all, but shall have to wait and see.
    I will try telephoning the audiology today, and I am going to the opticians this afternoon, to see if they have any ideas..
    I see my rheumy consultant on the 22nd of October, she will help me I am sure, maybe with a bit of luck refer me to the right dept, thus bypassing my doctors who seem not to have a clue on this subject.
    It is bearable till then, but only just, just a nuisance, these things are sent to try us, I am sure.

    Arfa
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,763
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good luck with the optician and the audiology appointment. I hope between them they can sort it out.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • arfaitis
    arfaitis Member Posts: 155
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well the optician has had a good look at my eye, from all angles, including the back, and he said they are fine.
    He did say that he would right to my GP, asking him to refer me to a specialist at the hospital, so fingers crossed it wont be too long.

    Arfa
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,763
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I hope not but at least you have one possible area excluded now :wink:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • arfaitis
    arfaitis Member Posts: 155
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes one down a few to go. :) By the way I got the wrong write, right, well that's alright. :lol:

    Arfa
  • arfaitis
    arfaitis Member Posts: 155
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My pains seem to have gone, so I am a happy bunny, no need to see any consultant at the hospital, but by the time I get an appointment through it could be weeks, so I just play it by ear, scuse the pun. :lol:

    Arfa
  • lizzy100
    lizzy100 Member Posts: 235
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    never heard of it with arthritis
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think you are wise to check everything out - I confess my immediate thought was 'Your specs are too tight' but then I thought that was too trivial to post. Anyhoo you thought of it too. :wink: As we all know everyone is different in what happens, when, how and where so maybe it could be worth keeping a diary about it, when it happens and what has occurred when it does and then you may find a link. Who knows? Life is very odd at times., ours especially. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • arfaitis
    arfaitis Member Posts: 155
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Opticians letter has worked, my GP is going to investigate October the 23rd.
    The pains have subsided somewhat and not so often now.

    Arfa
  • arfaitis
    arfaitis Member Posts: 155
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The good news it is only a couple of nerves that have somehow got irritated, luckily the pain is subsiding and they will heal themselves.

    Arfa
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thats great news Arfa hope it wont be long till nerves are repaired ........Marie x
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles