Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
For A Long Time (years Now), I Ve Experience Trigeminal
Question: For a long time (years now), I've experience trigeminal neuralgia on the right side of my face, initially as "ice pick" headaches behind my right eye and more recently with occasional hypersensitivity on the right cheek and scalp. About a month or two ago, I began feeling an earache in my other ear (left ear). I've had sinus and ear infections before so at first I thought it was probably just that but it hasn't resolved itself. More recently (during the past week) I've begun experiencing a flurry of new symptoms:
First, a headache on the top of my scalp (I've had migraines / cluster headaches before, this was a new sensation I have not had before). Then, occasional hypersensitivity along a "dent" in my frontal cranium bone that runs from my hairline back about 2 or 3 inches. (I don't remember having a bone ridge there, but it could have always been there and I just never had reason to notice it.) Then, abdominal sharpness. Then, peripheral tingling. Then I went to doctor and they ran some tests (bloodwork, abdominal ultrasound, chest xray). Bloodwork and ultrasound were normal, chest xray indicated emphysemal changes. Then a day later, shortness of breath (I suspect stress-induced). Then two days later, swollen lymph node in my right armpit. Then last night and tonight, what feels like pressure in my calves and forearms when I wake up.
Bought a pulse/SpO2 finger monitor, heart rate is normal (56) and SpO2 is 96%. I have a pulmonologist referral but that's a 2 month wait, so the doctor ran a spirometry test in the office and that indicated normal lung function. I also have a chest CT scan referral that's waiting for insurance approval.
So, my question: what would potentially cause the skull headache and "dent"? Are there any potential neurological components to the earache? Is any of this something more urgent? The only way I could get testing conducted faster would be at the emergency room so I've been trying to avoid doing that unless absolutely necessary.
First, a headache on the top of my scalp (I've had migraines / cluster headaches before, this was a new sensation I have not had before). Then, occasional hypersensitivity along a "dent" in my frontal cranium bone that runs from my hairline back about 2 or 3 inches. (I don't remember having a bone ridge there, but it could have always been there and I just never had reason to notice it.) Then, abdominal sharpness. Then, peripheral tingling. Then I went to doctor and they ran some tests (bloodwork, abdominal ultrasound, chest xray). Bloodwork and ultrasound were normal, chest xray indicated emphysemal changes. Then a day later, shortness of breath (I suspect stress-induced). Then two days later, swollen lymph node in my right armpit. Then last night and tonight, what feels like pressure in my calves and forearms when I wake up.
Bought a pulse/SpO2 finger monitor, heart rate is normal (56) and SpO2 is 96%. I have a pulmonologist referral but that's a 2 month wait, so the doctor ran a spirometry test in the office and that indicated normal lung function. I also have a chest CT scan referral that's waiting for insurance approval.
So, my question: what would potentially cause the skull headache and "dent"? Are there any potential neurological components to the earache? Is any of this something more urgent? The only way I could get testing conducted faster would be at the emergency room so I've been trying to avoid doing that unless absolutely necessary.
Brief Answer:
Seems not an emergency neurological condition. Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.
The dent may have been there and you didn't noticed that before, it seems not related to the possible ear infection.
I don't see anything urgency in your case, you need to be evaluated for the earache and a possible middle ear infection, and this possibility may be evaluated first by your primary care Doctor.
This possible middle ear infection may cause headache.
It seems like anxiety is playing a role in your symptoms too, so, try not to worry much more than necessary.
In conclusion, I don't see anything neurological that needs to be evaluated in emergency.
Follow up with your primary care Doctor.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Seems not an emergency neurological condition. Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.
The dent may have been there and you didn't noticed that before, it seems not related to the possible ear infection.
I don't see anything urgency in your case, you need to be evaluated for the earache and a possible middle ear infection, and this possibility may be evaluated first by your primary care Doctor.
This possible middle ear infection may cause headache.
It seems like anxiety is playing a role in your symptoms too, so, try not to worry much more than necessary.
In conclusion, I don't see anything neurological that needs to be evaluated in emergency.
Follow up with your primary care Doctor.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
