Ear Pain

[Guest guest]

Hi,

> Is ear pain a common symptom of a cholesteatoma?

I've had 3 surgeries for cholesteatoma now. In my experience pain is a big

factor. Before the last surgery I was in severe pain, to the extent that the

last couple of months before surgery I was taking tramadol with an oramorph

chaser 4 times a day.

All of my surgeries have been for cholestetoma sited in the attic region.

Hope your surgery comes round soon. Its no fun to be waiting in pain.

Garry

>

> Due to recurrent ear infections I had a cholesteatoma removed from my right

ear and a tube in my left ear 6 year ago. Since my surgery, the right ear would

just ache on occasion but no infections. In the last 6 months the ear pain began

to get worse. Now the doctor says a new cholesteatoma has developed in my right

ear. I am scheduled for surgery in a few weeks.

> Is ear pain a common symptom of a cholesteatoma?

>

[Guest guest]

Garry: I had my first Ctoma operation in 1989......three since then. Yes, ear pain was something I had to deal with also. Now I do not have that problem.....with a mastoidectomy and no middle ear bones...there is not much left to hurt Ha..

I just wanted to suggest to you something that has come up in my research recently. Low Level Laser Therapy. A theraputic laser is availabe at around $180.00 from various sources on Ebay.

GOOD NEWS it seems that laser light can do SOME healing in the ear canel when it is directed there. I do not know HOW MUCH but am trying it now myself. ALSO, BELIEVE THAT THE LASER IN THE EAR will reduce pain....

EXTRA GOOD NEWS You do not have to buy a LLL Laser for this ear application. There is much evidence out there that a CHEAP red laser POINTER can do much the same thing.

First make sure your pointer or other laser device IS A REAL LASER.

Second make sure it is in the RED area of the chromatic spectrum....

Third make sure it is 5 milliwatts power output or less.

Remove the focusing lens from in front of the laser head on your pointer. This will EXPAND the laser dot from a pinpoint to about the size of a dime at one foot or so distance in front.

If you cannot remove the lens then try using small lenses that you might have around the house to get a defocused blob by placing the lens in front of the laser.

You might glue the lens you found to defocus with a little super glue around the edges to the front of the laser pointer.

Now pull your ear back and place the laser into the canel and push the on button for what eve ryou think is a proper amount of time to expose the inner ear nd drum to.

If you follow any of my SUGGESTIONs you are acknowledging yOUR COMPLETE responciblity for ANY results. FROM YOUR ACTIONS. I am not a therapist or a doctor just another Ctoma patient.

From: garryp100 <garryp@...>Subject: Re: ear paincholesteatoma Date: Friday, December 17, 2010, 6:30 AM

Hi,> Is ear pain a common symptom of a cholesteatoma?I've had 3 surgeries for cholesteatoma now. In my experience pain is a big factor. Before the last surgery I was in severe pain, to the extent that the last couple of months before surgery I was taking tramadol with an oramorph chaser 4 times a day.All of my surgeries have been for cholestetoma sited in the attic region.Hope your surgery comes round soon. Its no fun to be waiting in pain.Garry>> Due to recurrent ear infections I had a cholesteatoma removed from my right ear and a tube in my left ear 6 year ago. Since my surgery, the right ear would just ache on occasion but no

infections. In the last 6 months the ear pain began to get worse. Now the doctor says a new cholesteatoma has developed in my right ear. I am scheduled for surgery in a few weeks. > Is ear pain a common symptom of a cholesteatoma?>

[Guest guest]

I am 4 Years Post op from a Modified radical mastoidectomy to remove a

Cholesteatoma.

Ever since the operation I have suffered on and off with ear pain but seems to

be getting worse. I visit a consultant ENT every six months and they are at a

loss why this occurs. I have had follow up scans with no sign of a recurring

Cholesteatoma. The ear is dry and does not get infected. The mastoid cavity is

also normal.

At best it just feels sore at worst it is painful and sore. The inside of my ear

feels very tight. My ear and the side of my neck usually goes very red and the

side of my face / eye feels sore as well.

It is getting to the point that I am having to take pain killers regularly with

little relief. I was also prescribed Amitriptyline which also gave relief other

than side affects.

I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had a similar experience or any

advice would be most welcome.

Regards

MarkC

[Guest guest]

Hi,

They may have touched the nurve during surgery.

Have you tried being examined by other doctors other than your original surgon(s)?

I could recommend a very good surgon who is also a neurologist. His name is Dr. Roland in NYU hospital, in Manhatan, nyc.

From: m5djc <marc@...>cholesteatoma Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 6:28 AMSubject: Ear Pain

I am 4 Years Post op from a Modified radical mastoidectomy to remove a Cholesteatoma.Ever since the operation I have suffered on and off with ear pain but seems to be getting worse. I visit a consultant ENT every six months and they are at a loss why this occurs. I have had follow up scans with no sign of a recurring Cholesteatoma. The ear is dry and does not get infected. The mastoid cavity is also normal.At best it just feels sore at worst it is painful and sore. The inside of my ear feels very tight. My ear and the side of my neck usually goes very red and the side of my face / eye feels sore as well.It is getting to the point that I am having to take pain killers regularly with little relief. I was also prescribed Amitriptyline which also gave relief other than side affects.I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had a similar experience or any advice would be most

welcome.RegardsMarkC

[Guest guest]

Hi Marc I just wanted to let you know, you are not alone in this. I had a modified radical mastoidectomy, tympanoplasty, ossiculoplasty and meatoplasty in November 1999.  In March 2003, my re-construction failed during a prolonged period infection coupled with multiple perforations.  In November 2003 I had a Baha implanted and have been a Baha user since my sound processor was issued in March 2004 (said issue was delayed due to infection during the healing process, of course!). Since my mastoidectomy, I have had almost regular ear infections and perforations – often double or triple perforations per period of infection – and at those times, I almost live on antibiotics and painkillers.  I visit my ENT surgeon every 3-6 months (depending on how frequent the infections are) and I have regular microsuction to remove the debris of those infections and perforations.  I also have the direct dial number of the Aural Care Team at my local hospital, should I need to see someone outside of my scheduled appointments. Infection aside, however, I also have many episodes of pain without infection – this has been diagnosed by both, my GP and my ENT surgeon (the latter is a renowned Neurotologist, said to be amongst the best in the south of England if not the whole of the country) as ‘neuralgia’.  Put simply, it’s ‘pain’ and the only apparent cause for it is the fact that I’ve had ear surgery.  It feels like someone is ramming knitting needles into my ear, deep into my ear.  The pain originates on the side on which I have had surgery, but goes so far into my head that the other ear feels so bad, too.  Having tried dihydrocodeine in the past, for the past 6 or 7 years, I have been prescribed up to 60mg (2 x 30mg) of codeine phosphate twice daily to counteract the pain.  Sometimes the meds work and absolutely kill the pain, and sometimes they just about take the edge off it.  On really bad days I’m laid up in bed, unable to move, unable even to touch my hair as the pain is so bad, despite having taken my prescribed meds.  Sometimes I have pain regularly for days or even a week or two at a time, other times I have no pain for some weeks and I can go about my daily life as if nothing had ever happened.  I have tried but so far have failed to link the episodes of pain to anything, such as stress or the like.  It just comes and goes as it pleases, it seems. Friends have recommended I ask to be referred to a pain management clinic, but although the pain does interfere in my everyday life on bad days, I feel I manage it okay at the moment, so have taken this no further. I don’t have the redness you describe that you get but the pain I get does affect the side of my face so that sometimes, it feels like it’s on fire inside, and occasionally, it can feel hot to the touch; on these occasions, if memory serves me right, I generally find I’m infected, so it’s probably not linked to the neuralgia per se. I wish I could offer you more positive support.  The only thing I can say is that you are not alone – the pain does go away at times.  Speaking for myself, and hopefully for you, there are good days and weeks, but sadly, there are days and sometimes weeks in which ‘rough’ is not a strong enough word. If you feel you have seen a good Neurotologist, and are happy with his diagnosis (or lack of diagnosis when it comes to him saying nothing untoward is going on), then pain management may be the way to go, to avoid a life on painkillers. Perhaps the other members of this listserv may be able to give us some pointers or advice.  Obviously, diagnosis on a listserv is impossible, but a friendly word of advice and/or support, or a pointer or two, would be most welcome. Kind regards Kazzy From: cholesteatoma [mailto:cholesteatoma ] On Behalf Of Ruth SilverSent: 12 September 2011 14:47cholesteatoma Subject: Re: Ear Pain Hi, They may have touched the nurve during surgery.Have you tried being examined by other doctors other than your original surgon(s)?I could recommend a very good surgon who is also a neurologist. His name is Dr. Roland in NYU hospital, in Manhatan, nyc.From: m5djc <marc@...>cholesteatoma Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 6:28 AMSubject: Ear Pain I am 4 Years Post op from a Modified radical mastoidectomy to remove a Cholesteatoma.Ever since the operation I have suffered on and off with ear pain but seems to be getting worse. I visit a consultant ENT every six months and they are at a loss why this occurs. I have had follow up scans with no sign of a recurring Cholesteatoma. The ear is dry and does not get infected. The mastoid cavity is also normal.At best it just feels sore at worst it is painful and sore. The inside of my ear feels very tight. My ear and the side of my neck usually goes very red and the side of my face / eye feels sore as well.It is getting to the point that I am having to take pain killers regularly with little relief. I was also prescribed Amitriptyline which also gave relief other than side affects.I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had a similar experience or any advice would be most welcome.RegardsMarkC

[Guest guest]

Three month ago my taste went wonky and I've been having pain(some days it minor

other days it horrible). Went to doctor he said he can't see anything, two round

of steroid and antibodics and no relief. I heading off for a second opinion. I

wish I could help. I also take Amitriptyline but mostly to help me sleep because

of the ringing in my ears.

I let you know if I find anything out.

Kathy

>

> I am 4 Years Post op from a Modified radical mastoidectomy to remove a

Cholesteatoma.

> Ever since the operation I have suffered on and off with ear pain but seems to

be getting worse. I visit a consultant ENT every six months and they are at a

loss why this occurs. I have had follow up scans with no sign of a recurring

Cholesteatoma. The ear is dry and does not get infected. The mastoid cavity is

also normal.

> At best it just feels sore at worst it is painful and sore. The inside of my

ear feels very tight. My ear and the side of my neck usually goes very red and

the side of my face / eye feels sore as well.

> It is getting to the point that I am having to take pain killers regularly

with little relief. I was also prescribed Amitriptyline which also gave relief

other than side affects.

> I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had a similar experience or

any advice would be most welcome.

>

> Regards

>

> MarkC

>