can anyone tell me what this might be?

[CounselorTroi]

I have had recurring ear pain since about last Sept. When it happens it feels like my ear drum is about to burst. Not only that, along my jaw feels painful and tender, but there is no redness, swelling so no obvious reason why it might hurt. When I blow my nose, that ear feels really blocked. Paracetemol doesn't touch the pain, but ibuprofen does.

Each time I have gone to GP they tell me there is no infection and no obvious cause for pain. My GP suggested it may be jaw related as she cant think of any other reason why I keep having this pain.

Any ideas ladies?

Just a thought - could it be pain from a wisdom tooth?

has your GP checked your throat? You can get ear pain related from a throat problem.

all wisdom teeth through, no probs. Can they flare up year later, or change direction or do mad things like that causing pain?

No she didn't look at my throat at all.

Have very similar symptoms! Ear has felt 'blocked' for 6 months (it isn't, and I can still hear), I've had tinnitus for over a year and lately have had pain in teeth on same side, but it moves around and affects different teeth and both upper and lower jaw. gP has referred me to ENT. As I lifted the phone to make the appt an entire filling fell out in one piece. Turns out that tooth has split in two and it has to come out.

Don't know if this is a cause of the pain/blocked feeling or a symptom of whatever's going on inside my head. Presumably will find out once the tooth is out. Sorry to hijack but you're not alone. Will report back once tooth out.

Do please, Fresh.

Sounds like middle ear to me.
Had similar, had some osteopathic manipulations to drain it as it was blocked, took months but eventually it cleared.

I even had mri twice but drs were unable to help, it's complementary treatment that worked.

Okay, well tooth is out (ow). The referred pain to other teeth does seem to have gone. Middle ears still feel blocked and still have tinnitus, so I'm going to make the ENT appt.

Dentist tells me that a split tooth does just happen so I've calmed down a bit from 'I have something growing in my ear which is trying to get out through my teeth'

Counselor, have you been to see your dentist? I had a patient referred right round the houses by his GP. Had all sorts of investigations, he was convinced he had cancer. Came to see me as a last resort and I took out a really obviously infected tooth and he phoned and said his symptoms disappeared overnight.

I have a similar problem with blocked ears, ear pain ( waking me up even when I managed to get to sleep), facial teeth and jaw pain and blocked nose, but my GP decided I have a sinus infection. Just thought I would mention in case it is another possibility for you OP. I am prone to sinus infections, but these symptoms are more like having an ear infection, but the GP said my eardrums look fine. The pain is worse on the side of my face I lie on.

Mrs Morton, GP suggested I see dentist, but I am terrified reluctant to engage with dentist unless absolutely necessary! I may just book an appointment.

Fresh, glad pain is abating.

Magso, I am wondering if it is sinus related as it seems too much of a coincidence to have blocked nose AND ear pain but nothing wrong with ear drum.

If your GP suggested you see an ENT surgeon what would you do?

What about TMJ problems? That can cause all kinds of funny symptoms

GP has only just made this suggestion so haven't quite got around to making the appointment. I would go to see ENT if referred so it is a case of pulling up the big girl panties to go see the dentist.

yes, sounds like TMJ problem, do you grind or clench your teeth? please go to dentist, lots of things they can do to help x

I'd go to the dentist if I were you! I had the same problem of recurring earaches last year until I went to the dentist, who found an abcess underneath a big molar. Had root canal treatment (eek!) and the earaches have gone...

I saw my GP with exact same symptoms yesterday. After ruling out infection and teeth problems, her suggestion was either TMJ or chronic sinusitis. I can eat an apple without pain which seemed to be her test for TMJ so I guess it must be sinuses.

Is it worse at night OP?

I can eat an apple without pain. No earache at night, but I seem to be sleeping with my mouth open because my mouth is as dry as the Sahara in the morning. I don't grind or clench teeth (I don't think I do anyway). I have to blow my nose every morning to unblock it and TMI TMI I have to manually unclog my nostrils of hard green gunk .

When my ear is painful, if I sneeze it relieves the pain for a moment or two. If I hold my nose and 'blow' it feels like there is a blockage in the ear.

It was so painful yesterday I had tears in my eyes at work and no access to ibuprofen. :(