Pain in ear cartilage

[LadyTrundle]

I’ve been getting very sharp stabbing pain in the cartilage of one ear. Always in the same place. Has anyone else experienced this? It really makes me yelp!

[skylark15]

Hi, Lady Trundle.

You've asked an interesting question. Does the pain come at any particular time of the day or night?

[LadyTrundle in reply to skylark15]

No, fairly random. And not everyday, but then sometime near constant for some hours. As repeated stabs, not constant pain.

[skylark15 in reply to LadyTrundle]

Hi.

I'm sorry that you have this pain.

I asked about the timing as I have had pain in the cartilage of my ear, always at night, for 40 years or so. It doesn't happen every night. The ear on the side that I'm lying is the painful one and the pain wakes me up and takes about 10 mins to subside. My two daughters have the same pain, they both have autoimmune conditions and our ears are similar shapes. It doesn't happen every nightnow, but I am taking various painkillers, which might dull the pain. I've concluded that it's ischaemic pain and is from reperfusion of the cartilage, when I turn over. It doesn't sound like the pain you have. I hope you find an answer and that the pain can be controlled.

x

[LadyTrundle in reply to skylark15]

Thanks. No, mine sounds different as it isn't just linked to when blood supply might be restricted. I'll keep looking!

BEst wishes

Rachel

[GrandMAptm in reply to skylark15]

skylark15, Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it – someone else with the ear cartilage pain similar to mine. When my life changed in late 2019 and I experienced many unusual and painful symptoms, the ear cartilage pain was one of them. It felt as though I had been punched on the ear, it was that painful. It only occurred when I slept on my side in bed or if I used headphones when watching the TV. At that time I purchased the Original Pillow-with-a-Hole from the UK. (I live in the U.S.) It was still difficult to sleep, but at least the special pillow helped. Every so often I still have to use that special pillow, but just for a few days at a time. The spot on my ear can develop into a sore. But if I start treating it soon enough with Clobetasol Propionate ointment USP, 0.05% (Dermovate? in the UK) twice daily then it will eventually clear up.

[skylark15 in reply to GrandMAptm]

My word! Poor you. I wonderr what was the change in your life; did you develop symptoms of ant other condition, such as Raynaud's, for instance?

So far, I've never had a sore develop but I'm glad the clobetasone helps clear yours up. Magic stuff, this topical steroid! The brand name of that one is Eumovate over here.

I've never met anyone else who can't wear headphones; the ones used on aircraftare the worst, especially on long flights. Thank heavens for my Bluetooth hearing aids!

And apart from my daughters, I've never heard of anyone with this cartilaginous ear pain. I'll let them know about the Pillow with a Hole. They're not up as often as I am in the night, to give my poor ears a break.

x

[GrandMAptm in reply to skylark15]

In Dec. of 2019, I experienced the first signs of EM. (I already had Raynaud’s) A toe on my left foot turned red, started burning, and developed an ulcer that took 9 months to heal. Then a toe on my right foot also turned red and started burning. Then when in the hospital for a thyroidectomy (follicular cancer), my nose turned bright red. After being treated with radioactive iodine ablation, lots of painful and unusual symptoms began: burning pain in outer ankle bones, burning pain in outer hip joints, and progression of EM in my feet. First I was diagnosed with Chilblain Lupus, later that was changed to Dermatomyositis, and eventually when some of the original symptoms subsided, in 2022 I received a diagnosis of severe refractory Raynaud’s and EM from a dermatology specialist in Boston. I still am searching for an underlying condition and am presently having extensive bloodwork done by a hematologist. For about 2 years, I have been taking sildenafil 20mg/3x per day, which seems to have helped with the Raynaud’s. I’ve tried numerous medications and topicals for EM, none of which have helped. Currently, I am on LDN (low dose naltrexone), having titrated up to 4.5mg. I am having less flares and less severe flares (now usually at pain levels of 6-7, rather than 8-10). So either the LDN is helping or it has to do with the colder temps we’ve been having. The true test of the efficacy of LDN will come when the weather gets warmer. Take care, Kathy

[skylark15 in reply to GrandMAptm]

Wow, what a terrible time you've had. Naltrexone eh? That's interesting. Fingers crossed that if it is still helping when the weather warms up. Thanks, Kathy.Tess x

[OldTed60 in reply to skylark15]

I get ear cartilige pain sometimes too! In fact for a year or so I noticed that my ear cartilage turned yellow - like nicotine stains. My ears have always had intense ear pain with the cold, and with ear plugs. My ears sometimes randomly turn bright red with Erythromelalgia sometimes as well. I finally concluded it must be Raynaud’s/ EM related having blamed my glasses frames but got new frames and the pain is same. During my MRI yesterday I had to ask radiographer to move my ear phoned in one side as felt one side was clipping my ear cartilage. She was a bit mystified but I’d warned her that my ears hate headphones even more than noise!

[skylark15 in reply to OldTed60]

Maybe this ear ?ischaemic ear pain is more common than I thought 🤔. Txx

[LadyTrundle]

Thanks for people's replies. Mine sounds a lot less bad, and only comes in the day/ not related to pressure. So maybe I'll just call it neuralgia and hope it goes away.

[Dodder2012]

Hello LadyTrundle ,

Yes!! I cannot explain the unusual pain that attacks me randomly, the pain is un-describable, irritating & unpleasant & worrying until it goes. I’ve never thought to mention it on here. It’s like the horrible smell in my nose ( from lungs?) I had for the first few years of Ssc. Rheumatologist just said he’d not heard of it, so couldn’t help. As I couldn’t even describe my sudden ear pain, I’ve just put up & shut up! There is no warning or action I have done, it pleases itself when to turn up, at least I know it doesn’t last. I bet I’ve now tempted fate!

Thanks for posting, I am not alone! X