Ear discomfort and generally feeling poorly and run down.

I was wondering if anyone else has had problems with ears with RA and Sjogrens. I have had this uncomfortable feeling in my ear, feels full and achey and not right at all. Just been to see my GP who looked in ear, said he could see nothing unusual, examined my jaw which is very tight and clicky and swollen glands in neck. I have had two throat viruses in last 8 weeks and as usual my immune system has gone into overdrive and caused a big RA flare, which is normal for me whenever I pick a virus up.

Another weird thing is my long bones, like shins and fore arms are hurting, not like normal RA pains but dull achey feeling.

Whilst there my doctor went through results of recent DEXA scan, it seems that I do have osteoporosis to now add to my list of ailments, my lower spine is in very bad state and so will be seeing my rheumy shortly regarding medication for that. In the meanwhile GP requesting blood tests for next week in case MTX is affecting my bone marrow and causing these strange new pains. As regards my horrible earache I think maybe the jaw could be the problem, but seems I will have to put up with it for now!

Virus's are the bane of my life, even the mildest ones cause such problems.

Ps - to add to my woes I have just broken a crown and seeing dentist Thursday, this should be interesting, seeing as I am struggling to open my mouth!!! Lol

Lynda x

[Someonesmother]

Oh poor you. I hope the dentist isn't too painful for you too. good luck

[mitzymoo]

Hi angel

You're really suffering bless you. XXX

I'm a big believer in angels and i'm sending you this poem as you definitely need their help!

When angels sense you need them

And angels always do

They come unseen from everywhere

To help and comfort you

They hover close beside you

Till all your cares are gone

Till they can see you're ready

Once again to carry on

Then some of them fly away

And take their gentle touch

To other hearts that need the love

Of angels very much

But one at least stays with you

As your constant friend and guide

For guardian angels never leave you

They are always by your side!

Print this poem out and put it where you can get most comfort from it!

Take care and angel blessings xx

[Hidden in reply to mitzymoo]

Mitzy - you are so kind, thank you so much for my lovely poem, lynda x

[earthwitch]

Is it really your ear, or is it referred pain from the jaw joint? I get a lot of what appears initially to be earache, but if I press over the joint its obviously where the pain is coming from, and any kind of antiinflammatory meds relieve it considerably. Interestingly its exactly the same toothachey type pain that sent me off to doctors and dentists years ago (before I realised I had AS) with no real resolution, but my GP at the time suggesting it might be to do with my jaw bone.

[Hidden in reply to earthwitch]

Earth witch, yes I think you may be right, my poor GP finds my problems a challenge I think! I had similar problem with the other ear about six yrs ago and I now suffer terrible tinnitus in it and hearing loss and wear hearing aid/tinnitus masker, hope this other ear is not going same way! In meanwhile seeing new dentist Thursday 'cos crown fell off, he's supposed to be very good so hope he can assess my jaw problem.

We have a lot to put up with really, all these problems which arise from inflammatory arthritis. I will let you know what dentist says, take care, lynda x

[oldtimer]

My dentist is very good about managing when i have TM joint pain. he works through a small opening and gives me lots of rests in between. So tell him about the problem and explain that you can't open your mouth wide and that you will need rests.

[mitzymoo]

Your welcome angel, i hope you're pain free and back to your old self soon

Take care and angel blessings xx