This happens to people with hard cartilage instead of softer ears. Cartilage is also receives less blood flow & therefore things like ibuprofene doesn't work as well. It also takes longer to heal for this same reason. Happens to be on occassion. It sucks but you don't need to dwell on it, just try sleeping on your back and using a nice pillow.
Hi all. I'm James. I'm 63, and in good health. Three weeks ago I began to wake up with excruciating pain in one year from lying on the pillow. So I would switch sides, and the pain would be the same in THAT ear when I woke up. When I laid my head down, it felt exactly like the pillow was pressurizing the ear. After a week of trying to form my pillow to avoid the ear, I read this blog. Thanks very much to the suggestions on this blog, I bought a cheap piece of medium foam, 1.5 inches thick, and cut a hole with a razor about one inch larger than my ear all around. I also measured the vertical height of the hole from my neck so it wouldn't kink my neck from being too high or low. It worked perfectly. My pain is 98 percent reduced. I also went to my doctor, who said I have no infection or impaction. He gave me an allergy spray for my sinuses, but we both doubt that is the problem. I think I know what it comes from - I like to take very hot baths once in a while, and duck my head underwater. I think the heat may have done a number on the inside of the ear. J
The same thing happens to me. I even tried a softer pillow, but that does not work.
I have the same - try the website that sells pillows with a hole. They work as pressure is not on cartilage. The pain is dreadful isn't it!
Thank you for the tip on the pillow.
wow i have the smae problem with ear pain at the top of my ear and it's very hot,but my very sever pain started at the back of my ear and when i went to the docs she said after ruling out infection and migrain,that it was a nerve problem,i have been on very strong tablets which knock me out and make my skin crawl,now the pain is a lot weaker in my head,but now it's gone at the top of my ear,the doc said if i was still in pain after 1 week ,to go to the hospital,it's been 1 week now,and i have stopped the tablets,cause they was too strong ,but not been to the hospital,maybe i will go in a few days if the pain does not go from my ear.But your pain sounds the same,i have probs with sleeping at night,my friends say check out the pillows,they can cause tension in the neck,and to get new ones.
hi there i have commented down below...and i have the same problem,very very painful,and my doc says its nerve problem,she gave me strong tablets,which i hated taking as they caused bad side effects,but the pain in my ear is there all day not just at night.Gonna get a new pillow as well,even though i have nice feather ones.hope your pain goes soon..and mine.
Please help. Last night it was so bad in both ears and you're right, it's the cartilage that aches.