Since I had nothing better to do with my evening, I went to the doctor to have my ear looked at. It turns out I don't have an ear infection. He didn't know what's causing the pain, but it is definitely not an ear infection.
So that's good, I guess. At least I won't have an untreated infection that turns into mastoiditis which leads to me losing my hearing.
He suggested it might be my TMJ, since I have this horrible feeling like the tiny bones in my ear are grinding together. The ear is the center of all sorts of referred pain. Makes sense, as I can feel my jaw move out of the socket when I open wide. I do have TMJ problems.
Treatment option:: ibuprofen.
Thanks, doc.
(As an aside, it's rather depressing when the doctor walks in, and he's your age. You think, "This guy is way to young to be a doctor! No way is he competent." Then you remember how old you are.)
So that's good, I guess. At least I won't have an untreated infection that turns into mastoiditis which leads to me losing my hearing.
He suggested it might be my TMJ, since I have this horrible feeling like the tiny bones in my ear are grinding together. The ear is the center of all sorts of referred pain. Makes sense, as I can feel my jaw move out of the socket when I open wide. I do have TMJ problems.
Treatment option:: ibuprofen.
Thanks, doc.
(As an aside, it's rather depressing when the doctor walks in, and he's your age. You think, "This guy is way to young to be a doctor! No way is he competent." Then you remember how old you are.)