I was just diagnosed with tmj/tmd and have the same thing going on with my ears. I hope you find a solution.
I have the same problem in both ears. I have to switch sides all night as each one hurts. I have just recently changed birth control pills and i wonder if this has something to do with it. I am also very hot at night also. I think this is a hormone thing.
I have been getting severe ear pain in the cartilage of my ears off and on for years. It only happens when I sleep. And I started noticing it was only happening around my periods. Now that I am pregnant it is happening almost every night. It wakes me up severel times a night now. I had started to think it must be due to hormones. And now that its happening so much while pregnant I am sure it must be hormone related. I have never met anyone else with this problem. But I am glad to know there are other people out there because my husband thought I was crazy.
I experience outer ear pain at night also. This is a form of gout. I have read in several places, namely in Prescription for Natural Cures, by James L. Balch, MD, that the pain is caused by uric acid crystals that deposit in the ear cartilage. This is caused by an improper metabolism of purines, found in protein foods such as meat, fish, dairy, nuts, beans, etc. So, you have to limit your intake of protein as well as of foods such as asparagus, brussel sprouts, spinach and dark green leafy vegetables. Alcool consumption should also be limited. Lists of f high purine foods can be found on the internet. I also recommend that you read about the treatment of gout. When I wake up with outer ear pain at night, I take 3 capsules of Juniper. Drinking small amounts of tart cherry juice (bitter) mixed with grape or apple juice a few times a day helps. Some supplements are helpful but diet remains very, very important.
Tonight my ear ache is hurting so badly its 12:55 at nighttime I haven't slept at all. What Shall I Do?
my doctor gave me a prescription for
" cortic-ds 1% cream Hydrocortisone acetate cream 30 g " I applied this to the painful ear cartledge, it took quite a few applications but worth the time it took, then just keep it up. I also use a pillow with legs each side if you get what i mean. just to be sure,this keeps the weight off the ear. Iunderstand the pain you are having, it wasnt any fun, so please try this it workes
Hi I am a 55 year old woman and I had my ears pierced about 3 years ago the lady used a hand gun. My ears then became infected never healed even though I used all the cleaning products so after 6 months I took them out. I then started getting a hardening in the outer cartilage of my right ear which is worse at night when I sleep on it I feel like I have been sleeping on concrete it also gets quite hot swollen and sometimes its itchy. I then have to turn over but recently I have started to get this hardening feeling in the left ear. I then saw a doctor whom just raised his eyebrows, I then saw an ear specialist who gave me loads of pills for inflammation but it is still with me 3 years on. Now I must say I have had no end of problems with an under active thyroid and also a hormone imbalance and the funny thing is I have noticed when my hormones are low it does start playing up... So now I will see an endocrinologist as I believe it could be a hormone imbalance. Best regards JG
I am yet another person who suffers from this same condition. I am 52 and have had this most of my adult life. Fortunately, for me, I would only have these symptoms occur every once in a while on either ear. What is more of a problem for me is that I ride a motorcyle and struggle with contant ear pain. I'm careful to pick out helmets that have a cavity cut out to accomadate ears, however just the slightest contant contact with any part of my ear will result in eventual pain. Once the pressure is removed from the ear, the pain subsides within minutes.
On a side note, I switched to using two pillows instead of one a year or so ago. Since that time, I have had fewer problems with my ears at night. Not sure why or if it's just coincidence, but worth passing along.
Sugar definitely plays a role in the ear pain for me. I was also told by a dietician that fungus can live in the ear and sugar feeds fungus. When I eliminate the sugar and carbs in my diet, my ear pain goes away.
This works but the question we have to ask is....Is this progressive and will it eventually lead to hearing loss.
I use a U shape travel pillow
I have also had this problem for years. I have a real problem because I am unable to sleep on my back but I cannot put my ear on the pillow. I resorted to sleeping with my hand under the base of the ear to keep the ear from pressing down on the pillow. This is not a great idea because I don't get a good night sleep sleeping on my hand. I have asked doctors about the pain and was told to sleep on my back. I also have fibromyalgia and arthritis so a good night sleep is hard enough as it is. Hopefully doctors will be able to diagnose the problem. I do not have pain inside the ear, just around the outside of my ear. At least I know that I am not the only one experiencing this. I thank you all for your posts.
I've had this for years too and FINALLY got a diagnosis that fits.. It's called Chondrodermatisis Nodularis. There are special (expensive) pillows that I'm checking out,but don't have a recommendation for at this time. Cutting holes in form fitting pillows only work part of the time I've found..