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earache

Daniel M
  • 1 reply
  • 43 subscribers
  • 143 views

Hi everyone,

I had a neck dissection following tongue cancer removal about 8 weeks ago with no particular issues, but for the past 2 weeks have developed an intense earache that is causing considerable problems. 

I have tried massage, heat, cold, and increased OTC medication, but I cant shift it. 

ENT cannot find any issues. There is no infection. Consultant suggested lymph drainage massage but its not helping.

Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, what did you do to relieve it/ how long did it last?

Ive not slept in over a week and would be grateful for your help.

Thanks

  • Good morning Daniel M,

    Thanks for getting in touch.

    My name’s Karla, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

    Welcome to our online community, I’m glad you’ve found us. You can join one of our forums to connect with other members who may have experienced this too. Our head and neck cancer forum might be a good place to start.

    Its great ENT have checked you over and can’t find any issues. However, this doesn’t help you or your hospital team in managing this intense earache.

    We’d recommend getting back in touch with ENT to let them know the lymph drainage massage isn’t helping. Hopefully they can work out what’s causing the pain and importantly, recommend something to ease it.

    ENT can also review your pain medications. As the increased over the counter medications aren’t giving you relief, they may be able to prescribe a more effective medication. It’s worthwhile taking any pain relief drugs regularly to get the most relief.

    Getting on top of the pain may also help with your difficulty sleeping. If not, your consultant could consider a short course of sleeping tablets.

    The Mouth Cancer Foundation have a weekly online meeting that may be useful to connect with others going through similar experiences.

    I wonder if you might benefit from giving our support line a call. We often find we can explain our answers in a bit more detail over the phone, giving you the opportunity to ask more questions if needed.

    Take care and best wishes,

    Karla (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email or use webchat.

     

    Ref: KS/RC

     

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