Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Sharp ear pain....anyone?? Anyone??

Wow Kerry !!
You really hit close on this one. I get that fullness too. I can barely stand to put the phone to my ear when this happens. I could barely stand to touch my cartlidge on my ear as well. I even got my ear checked TWICE by my GP and they couldnt find any infection or anything wrong with my ear. It was so odd.

I have noticed these last few weeks that I have had a very stiff neck. I have been getting a very stiff neck where i wake up and can barely move it. During the day I have been getting sharp needle like pains in the front and side of my neck. The back of my neck is super stiff.

That's surprising you mentioned the skull thing too !! I had a bone scan done last year..and it showed my left sphenoid bone..left temple...as inflammed big time. They couldnt figure out what it was. My rheumy said it could be AS, but no one confirmed. I get sharp pain in that area...like a needle. Not like a normal headache. It's piercing. I had started to wonder if my neck is starting to flare or what the heck is happening. I am due to get my bone scan tomorrow and see what the heck is happening. Did you get a brain mri done?? I had one done..they had dark spots all over my white matter part of my brain. My neuro suspected either AS related or MS. In the end he felt it was due to the AS. They had suspected mini strokes as well but was ruled out. I know in my heart it was due to the AS...the pain is excruciating...but not constant.

I'm hoping to get some answers soon. I posted awhile back on burning feeling. I feel it near my jaw sometimes..and near my elbows...like a burning feel. Like my skin is really burning...but I touch it..and nothing is there. I didnt know if it was inflammation or what the heck was happening to me. This new Rheumy hasnt a clue to whats happening..so I may not stick with him too much longer. If he still denies the AS after this next visit...I am hitting the road...either back to my old Rheumy or a new one that will listen.

Take care...wow..thanks for all the info. I dont feel like I'm crazy anymore. This makes sense if it's relating to my neck and skull. By the way did you have any trouble with swallowing your food?? I've noticed since my neck stiffness it seems like it's a little more difficult swallowing my food.

see ya'

Toodles!
Angie

I used to go through bouts when my neck was very stiff and painful, made driving an absolute nightmare, had to grit my teeth in pain every time I looked to make sure I wasn't running anyone over when backing out of a parking space. It came and went, would last about four or five days, hard to describe the pain, like a stiff neck, like I had slept wrong or something, but happened on a regular basis. I just figured it was inflammation going on in that portion of my spine. Haven't had it since I started Arava, but still remember how painful it was

Cheryl

Dogs love it when you leave your clothes on the floor

Hi Angie!

Is it possible to see changes in the brain with AS? Like with MS? I didn't know that, and actually I can't understand how it could be. Did they explain anything to you about it?

I'm just curious, because I never thought AS would show up on an MRI. I'm learning a new thing every day on this board!

hugs,

Jade

I was interested to see someone mention ear pain. I've been having problems with my ears since May - not pain just poping feeling. Whenever I swallow or open my mouth wide I get a pop in my ear (near the jaw joint). It's not very painful just annoying. For you scuba divers it is like I am constantly equalizing the pressure in my ears(a hundred or more times a day!)! My rheumy seems to think my jaw joint is OK - so next step is an ear nose & throat doctor. Unfortunately my appointment isn't until December. I'll let you know what comes of it. But like all of you - I wasn't sure if it was related to the AS or something completely different. So it is interesting to see the topic come up. I'll follow this thread with interest.

Kym

Since the ear lobes continue to grow all our life maybe it is just growing pains. Just kidding.















.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaarghh........smed that would mean I would be paying back for all the "innocent "jokes I made about Art's earlobes !!

Take care...


Toodles!
Angie

Hi Jade..
Yes...vasculitis is a complication sometimes associated with As. That is what my neurologist strongly suspected. Either that or MS. My blood work came back normal on both. He thinks its inflammation. He said vasculitis does cause abnormal brain MRI's. Pretty scary stuff. I dont know what to expect from this disease anymore.

Hugs ]]]

Toodles!
Angie

Hi Kym...
I get that popping problem as well. I am not sure if it's TMJ related or just AS related..or what!!! I just wish I could get some relief for it. It hurts so bad when it acts up. Yet its over within about an hour or so. It doesnt last nearly as long as my other pains with AS...yet it is just as piercing in the pain chart.

Take care , and best of luck on your doctors visit. Please keep me posted to see if you get any answers to it.

Hugs from Bug]]]

Toodles!
Angie