Hi Kathleen, I too have the pain in my ear. I have not yet experienced the lightning strikes of typical TN. My pain started about 10 years ago and everybody insisted I had an inner ear infection. I knew this was not the case because it was so sporadic. I finally agreed to see an ENT specialist who did all sorts of test and MRI scans on my head. The tests turned up nothing so it was determined that I had TN. I did not believe it and went to 3 different doctors hoping one would diagnose me with something else - no such luck, they are all in agreement. GN (geniculate?) I think is more like what I have, but they all still refer to it as atypical TN.

My pain is centered right in my right ear and the immediate area surrounding it. Hot, and painful to the touch. Hurts to talk, eat, smile or turn my head. The pain is constant - like a large hot drill bit slowly boring into my ear canal with the added effect of intermittent icepick jabs. My episodes usually last about 4 hrs, but sometimes they just disappear on their own within 30 minutes or so.

Thank God, my episodes are still sporadic, but have become much more frequent over the last year. I usually have them about once a week now. Sometimes have 2-3 within a week and then go about 3 weeks with no pain. I take carbatrol only when I have an attack. It seems to help some but the only thing that really helps is my heating pad. I use one of those aromatherapy bags that you heat in the microwave - this always helps. Of course, this is not very feasible to do at work, so I usually have to suffer until I get home - but again, the carbatrol does seem to dull it somewhat so that I can get through the day.

I don't think I have answered your question very well, but thought it might help to compare your symptoms. I went to Vanderbilt medical center here in Nashville to get my 2nd opinion and right off the bat they were referring me to a neuro sugeon - but I did not go. I felt that they were rushing things a bit because at this point my pain is not that frequent.

Good Luck, I hope you can get some relief for your pain. Take care and God Bless.

Rhonda