About 4 -5 days ago I started getting shooting pains in my rught ear. They can be every 3 seconds , 10 seconds , or longer. No set ryme or rythmn. But they hurt. They are waking me up at night. Excedrin seems to help , but my stomache is getting nauseated from that. My general doctor thought it might be TMJ problems and that maybe I need a bite splint at night. My doctor said it is not an ear infection and I don't have water on/in my ear. I am a 55 yr old women. Any help or suggestions?? This is terribel - it is hard to function and I have to work full time.