What's causing mid/inner ear pain with jaw movement?

[theanykey]

I was just searching around for an answer and came across this post: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Ear--Nose--Throat/Ear-fullness-and-jaw-joint-pain/show/6997 where in some of the early responses mention various drainage causes could be related to the pain. Since January, I've been working mainly in coolers - a walk-in refrigerator (34 degrees F) and a freezer (14 degrees F) and can spend up to 3 hours at once inside with my face completely bare. I've also noticed I get clear nasal drainage soon after stepping out of either. About 2 weeks ago, I started getting pain deep in my ear when I chewed food. I thought it would go away after a few days but it hasn't even diminished. Fortunately, it hasn't gotten any worse either. But after this long, I'm beginning to wonder if it won't go away on it's own. I haven't read through all the responses yet on the other post, but I also know they will be catered to his/her specific problem which is a bit different. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[josiejohnson]

I have a problem with pain in an shared are of the inner ear an jaw. It comes and goes, i dont know what triggers it. I was working on saturday from 5.30 on the evening. during the day it was fine, about an hour into work i cod feel that recognisable pain an by 11.30 it felt like my jaw had been forced forward an left so my teeth no longer sat on top of each other. You cant really see that it moves but i can sure as hell feel it. My doctor refered me to a specialist where i had a flexibly pencil like shape camera shoved up my nose down to my throat so he could see any problems in a new high tech 3d camera image, was weird but interesting. But all he said was its a problem with my saliva glands an that saliva sometimes builds up an gets stuck in the gland, all he said to do was drink acidic drinks i.e orange juice or anythin that gets ur saliva moving but iv found this useless an i find myself struggeling to chew food, even drink an brush my teeth but then after a week or three it goes away again until next time. If anyone has this same problem an knows anything on it please contact me at ***@****. Thanks

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

The pain could be due to temperomandibular (TMJ) joint disorders like arthritis. Local causes like tooth infections, tooth abscess or periodontal disease can also cause pain. Sometimes inner ear infections could be the cause for pain. You will need to consult your primary care physician for further evaluation, who may then refer you to a dentist if needed.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.