Help! Can an inflammed carotid artery (carotidynia) cause my ear to feel plugged?
Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi, I had some allergy issues about a month ago. Started on Flonase and allergy seemed to clear up, but I noticed what I thought was a swollen lymph node afterwards and my left ear (same side as lymph node) felt clogged up. Waited two weeks, went to doctor and we tried prednisone (ear felt slightly better but node did not change), and then antibiotics. No change. Feeling some pain (not intense...but just slight pain) on left side of neck where swollen node was. Went to ENT and was told that it is not a lymph node that is swollen, but rather inflammation on the outside of my carotid artery. He called this carotidynia. I have also, in the past week, been experiencing some slight vertigo issues. The first time it happened I went to ER thinking it was related to the carotidynia, but CT Scans, EKG etc were all fine. So, my question. Can this little bump on my neck (the inflamed carotid) cause my ear to feel plugged up? And,maybe that caused my vertigo? Has anyone else heard of this? If I hold my neck just right,I can see the bump and see my pulse in there. So strange! Let me know if anyone else has experienced this and if maybe my ear/vertigo symptoms are related to the carotidynia. Thank you
0 likes, 7 replies
james_13821 sandra99483
Posted
I had slight pain over carotid pulse, plus pulse was prominent. Also ear was full, and dizziness. That was eight months ago. Pain has been unbearable now for six months. Can't turn my neck. Tonnes of scans. Nothing. Whatever you do don't touch that part of the neck.
i think it might be Carotidynia but I can't find any diagnoses or treatment. I can't do this much longer.
sandra99483 james_13821
Posted
Hey, I wanted to let you know what helped me. I had been Googling the issue and came across someone who said Aleve worked for her neck pain when Advil didn't. I had been using Advil around the clock for a couple weeks. It helped some...but I could still feel my plugged ear, slight neck pain, etc. So, I tried Aleve and WOW...pain was gone. The fullness in my ear is much much less too! And, after 3 days of Aleve, my little vertigo episodes are happening less and less frequently. Also, I carry around Meclizine (mine is prescription but I believe it is available over the counter) for the dizzy spells. But, I haven't had to use it in a few days. Anyway, maybe this will help you too.
james_13821 sandra99483
Posted
Thanks for the tip. I've ordered aleve. What dosage did you take?
sandra99483 james_13821
Posted
james_13821 sandra99483
Posted
Thank you, I'm glad it's helping you. Is that 250 mg tablet? I'm really worried, mine seems really bad, the skin over my artery has even become inflamed and I've had rashes there. The doctors don't take me seriously because it doesn't show up on scans. It's like I can feel the artery be sore and a little swollen almost, I wish they could try medication on me but they won't. I need sth strong like steroids or maybe I could try migraine medication. Anyway really thanks for the help. If this becomes chronic and untreatable I can't live like that.
sandra99483 james_13821
Posted
My Aleve bottle says 220MG. Mine was inflammed enough that I thought it was a swollen lymph node! I did a round of antibiotics and then a round of steroids. Steroids helped a little but bump was still there so I went to an ENT who felt around my neck and right away said it was Carotidynia. He told me it should resolve itself on its own...but mine hasn't yet. I used warm compresses (I use the Therapearl sports pack...heated up in microwave) for a few days and that provided temporary relief. Aleve has done the trick for me, but mine was never really too severe. I also did some stretches I found online for my sternocleidomastoid muscle. I'm not exactly sure if that helped...but I started those stretches on the same day I started the Aleve. Maybe see a new doc if pain doesn't get better.
james_13821 sandra99483
Posted
Thanks, I will keep going. Haven't turned my neck for six months .... literally. I'm on gabapentin atm. Helps slightly. Good luck with everything.