I have been having this same ear ache from sleeping on my side, to where it intensifies when I turn or get off the pillow before it could slowly fade away. My ENT specialist said there's nothing she can do, pretty much never heard of it. I also hurt during the day.
I also agree that Gosiakaluzna's remark is not very helpful. I am not a coffee or soda drinker. I recently developed this problem of ear cartilage pain waking me up at night. I am 62. From all of the posts I've been reading I'm getting a good picture of the cause. I have degenerative disk disease for which I had spinal surgery July of 2014. I could only sleep on my right side for 2-1/2 months which started this. As soon as I switch to other side it goes away. I'm sorry for the many that have the more severe pain of turning over. I'm grateful I don't have that. However it is now starting to affect my left side also. I think my neck muscles are so out of whack that that is the culprit. I haven't had my neck adjusted since before surgery. It is now late November. I've been wondering if I need a new pillow but it took me along time to find one that supports my neck properly so I hesitate to give it up. My rotator cuffs are also going bad which is another result of poor neck muscles. I should mention that I have sleep apnea and wear an oral appliance for it. There is the possibility that I might be grinding my teeth which one post mentioned. I do want to look into the pillow that someone mentioned at Bed Bath & Beyond. I'm going to try the cotton balls that another post mentioned and also look for black heads on the ear lobe. I have been calling this bed sores all along bc I feel a rough spot right where the pain is. Thanks to all who have shared and I hope this helps someone.
I have this problem also and use a memory foam pillow that is shaped just like a regular pillow ( not the one with the neck support) I have no ear pain with this pillow. I think I bought it a Target. Hopes this helps.
This ear pain started happening to me, when a tragedy happened in my life. I have a little bar phone, and was receiving lots of calls. My ear just kept getting worse and worse. the pain was an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10, a big bump came up on the top cartilage. Family Dr. said pre-cancer, Dermatologist said CNCH and removed it. This still hurts a LOT, even several months later. It healed but keeps scabbing up and falling off. I can only lay on my sides when i sleep. The other ear is trying to do the same thing now. I am disabled and sleep a lot.. I found a 'total pillow', at a yard sale. It's lighter blue on one side, darker blue on the other. This thing is AMAZING!!! Now it's happening to my 18 year old autistic daughter as well. This pillow keeps the ear pressure free, and stops the pain. It seems to be the only thing one can do for this condition, according to my Dr.
Thanks for the info.
It is chondrodermatitis---check ear pillows on line and Amazon.
I checked Bed Bath Beyond online where did you find it? I have same problem had plastic surgern on ears many years ago and sleeping on sides a crusty pimple forms --- help ...!
where can I buy this pillow
I cannot find an "Aside Pillow" online
Left ear paint when I put my head in the pillow
I don't drink caffeine and still have it.
I found the perfect solution to the same problem...it is called My Butterfly Pillow and takes care of a multitude of problems for sleeping on our sides.
The condition is called chrondradermatitis nodularis helicis or CNH for short it's pressure pain in the cartilage of your ears that can cause pressure sores on the helix (outer edge) of your ear. It's recommended to get a CNH pillow which is like a donut poor especially for your ears.
i just started experiencing this the past few months and am glad to hear others have this problem as well. I just ordered the PWAH pillow from England?/Amazon so am sad to hear much cheaper option existed at Bed Bath and Beyond, but will be happy paying a little more if it works. My GP had never heard of this so not much help likely in the medical community (yet).
I have a sharp pain in the ear when sleeping. It wakes me up every time!