I am 59 year old female, diagnosed with carotidynia. Have been to many docs and had many tests. The pain is severe and relentless. It's especially bad, of course, in the ear, but it is also bad in my upper chest and shoulder area. I can't sleep on either side, because it puts pressure on that upper chest. The pain radiates down into my arm even. I have had EKG and been to a cardiologist, who says this is not heart pain.
I know the two are related, because when one hurts, the other hurts. My artery actually bulges out -- almost the size of a kernal of corn or something.
Am on a waiting list for a neurologist at a teaching facility -- 3 months out.
Am taking Gabapentin - 1200 MG/day -- and aspirin. Doc says don't take the aspirin, but it's the only relief I get.
Does anyone else have the chest pain along with the ear and neck pain?