To bother the GP again

[MaintainTheMolehill]

My oh has health anxieties so I can't speak to him about this but I'm desperate to get some perspective.
Over a week ago I started to get a terrible pain behind my left ear. Im finding it hard to cope with the pain. It seems to be on the bone behind my ear and at the bottom of my head on the left hand side.
It isn't there constantly but comes on around 30 times a day lasting from a few minutes to an hour.

I saw the GP on Monday who said inside my ear was healthy, and that my glands aren't swollen, she didn't say what she thought it could be but prescribed Naproxen 500 mg.

The pain is now getting worse, the tablets don't do anything and I'm at a complete loss as to what it is. AIBU to make an emergency appointment today? I'm worried I may take an appointment from someone who really needs one if this is just something that I have to put up with until it goes away.

Has anyone had this before and should I go back to the GP? (I know this isn't a medical board but getting a bit desperate now)

You might need to see your dentist. I'm thinking you might have an infected tooth.

I would visit the dentist if I were you. I had this when a wisdom tooth was infected. Does it sometimes feel as though someone has hooked it up to an engine and keeps revving it?

Nope no infected tooth, at least I wouldn't think so, I'm up to date with check ups.

The snap - no it feel like a mallet is hitting it and at the same time there's a dragging heavy pain too.

You have no idea if you have an infected tooth unless you get an xray. This happened to be and I have my teeth cleaned twice a year.

My husband and a couple of friends suffer from Trigeminal Neuralgia, all thought they had toothache to begin with.

Definitely go back! I would be querying mastoiditis or trigeminal neuralgia. Good luck

That's true aqua, might be worth getting It checked anyway.

The Dora I had Googled that but it seems to be pain in the face too which I haven't had.

I had thought some kind of neuralgia though as my arm is also a bit weak on that side too.

TM can also be pain in the face. Get it checked out again, it took a few trips to the GP to get it correctly diagnosed in my husband.

Oh yes welcome to the world of TMJ! 🤪google that & it will make sense- I have had it for 4 years & been for numerous scans & xrays etc. No real treatment apart from painkillers- it will come & go with no rhyme or reason. At the last hospital appointment they said we’ve run out of departments to send you to!
At the moment I’m in pain all over my face, jaws, head - makes me want to scream some days. Keep moving around, warm water bottle on your face & check your posture when you’re on your computer. My neck muscles are like solid rocks! U sound just like me! 😔

Go back to the GP and also see a dentist.

If there was an infected tooth the pain would be constant, not on and off. (ex dental nurse)

I think @TheDoraMilaje may be closer to the cause. Are you aware if you grind your teeth or clench, op?

Definitely make another appointment if the pain is getting worse and the tablets aren't working. If things have changed since your last appointment then you need to go back. Hope they can sort it for you

Teacakes, that makes sense I've had a Google and I have had a clicking in my jaw for months before this happened. I really feel for you having had that. It is unbearable and I don't know how anyone could put up with this long term. The pain is unbearable but it's how suddenly it comes on that's debilitating. I can be talking and laughing one minute and in tears the next.

Sounds like it's going to be a long haul to get a diagnosis.

Different name for this no I don't grind or clench my teeth as far as I know. Thanks for the info on the dentist problems.

Thanks Eric

I would go to your dentist. Your dentist will be able to check your teeth and check for TMJ, trigeminal neuralgia. What does the pain feel like?

It could also be tooth pain, a blocked salivary gland. Gps can be pretty crap at head and neck so I would start with dentist. They can also make a referral to maxfax or oral medicine if necessary, but if TMJ could probably start with a bitegaurd and go from there.

Tbh TMJ doesn't often come on suddenly, is it worse in the morning?

Do you have a fever?
Is the area behind your ear red or painful to touch?

Yes its worse in the morning.

I have a fever that comes and goes but it's not sore to touch, it helps if I rub it

That's an infection, I'd bet money on it.

The GP will be happy to see you. If you are in pain, that is a reason to see your GP. They should be fairly quiet tomorrow/Monday.
Best to get it checked out professionally - you could always mention to the GP what you think it could be - they use Google, too.

I thought of Mastoiditis straight away. Do go back OP, you need to get this sorted.

Thanks for all of your comments. I saw the GP today who has now prescribed amitriptyline (20mg). I've just read online that these take weeks to have amy effect though so looks like I'm stuck with the pain.