Every few months I get an intense shooting pain in my ear that radiates up the side of my head. It is extremely painful. It lasts from one to several days. The shooting pains are repetitive occuring every few minutes and the only thing I have found to help is sometimes ibuprofen or tylenol sinus. I've gone to the doctor for this and he doesn't know for sure what it is, maybe pressure. Has this happened to anyone? I sure would like to know what's going on and how to stop it.

If it only happens intermittently try looking at what you have been doing in the time preceeding the attacks, some activity that may suggest a possible cause, or is placing pressure on a nerve or disc. Sometimes all one can do is wait and see what develops. Sad but true.

I went to my Doc today for a follow-up on my lab and I asked her about this because I had an episode during the night of sharp, stabbing pain in my right ear but it went away after 1/2 hour. She told me that with my "frustration" with this condition that I might be clenching my jaw which can cause the nerve to "shoot" these pain (obviously I cannot remember her exact words). BUT, I think she is right.

I do tend to grind my teeth during the night. She told me, to be careful and NOT to let me teeth touch in back except for chewing. I am going to try this because it makes a lot of sense. This happens most often during the night. Hope this might help!

Yep this theory does make sense, happens to me sometimes also and know its clenching when stressed...xxx