Lump behind ear with pain and fullness no infection

Hi not sure if writing here is a good idea but some information on peoples experience will be a big help. 

For months I have been having issues with my left ear, sharp shooting pain, muffled hearing and tinnitus  with having children Iv just put it to the back of my mind until it’s got so much worse! I have also had really bad dizziness but I also have an iron deficiency so I put the dizziness down to that. 

I finally went to my gp as my symptoms was getting worse, and he said I had a retracted eardrum with no sign of infection and referred me to see a specialist, the next day after seeing my Dr I noticed a lump about an inch in size behind my ear, I went back a few days later and he said it was most probably a swollen lymph node. 

That was 4 weeks ago the lump is still there and it’s hard, doesn’t move and I feel it’s slightly bigger, I went to the specialist the other day he checked my ears, said the same retracted eardrum with pressure behind it, checked my hearing and it’s slightly down but nothing concerning. He said the pressure should eventually go back to normal. 

As for the lump he said it could be my spine?? How I do not know as it’s behind my ear lobe. He said I’m too young for it to be anything like cancer? To young, I am 35 he would have sent me on my way if it wasn’t for me mentioning my nephew had 1 infront of his ear that for months everyone said it was a lymph node until they scanned it and now he has to have a tumor removed! 

Today I felt another above it but this is really small and bead like I really feel like it’s the big lump that’s causing this constant pain and fullness in my ear like it’s putting pressure on something Did anyone else feel like this??

my scan is a week on Monday. 

 

Thabks in advance  

 

 

 

  • Hi there, I have just realised I have a small lump

    behind my ear too but it's in the neck behind the ear, not inside the ear itself. When I try to touch it I can feel it inside too like a long piece inside. I'm hoping it's just a swollen node.

  • Morning Jameelcp. 

     

    Yes mine is also on my head behind the ear near hairline. 

    I first noticed mine over a year ago and just left it as I thought it would of been a little cyst but it's larger now and causing me other symptoms. It around 1cm in size maybe bigger and now I've noticed a second lump below it. It's hard to touch and doesn't move. I just want the scan sooner rather than later as your own mind sends you in to turmoil. 

     

    I'd maybe mention it to your gp as they may refer you to get it checked out. 

  • May I ask how you got on? I am facing the exact same hing now. Lump behind left ear, a hard immovable pea... and feel a 2nd smaller one next to it. Am waiting for scan. So worried? Did you get scan? Was it ok? 

  • Hi louise35.

     

    I know this post was a long time ago I was wondering how you have got on with the second opinion. I recently went to a ENT specialist regarding a lump on the left side of my neck below the ear and have been told it's my spine. This information confused me as I dont understand how my spine can suddenly show through my neck. I have had this lump for over 8 weeks now and it has gotten bigger, I have tinitus that comes and goes. Thankfully he did send me for an ultrasound on monday so hopefully will know a bit more. Hope you are well. 

  • Hi Leah

     

    Thought I'd take the time to reply as I understand the anxiouss time you are going through, and the Internet and this site is full of scary stories that will make you feel like death is impending!

     

    I found a lump under my chin mid 2019, and then after being curious and digging around I found 2 other limps, one tiny hard lump and a larger hard lump right beneath my ear. I had other symptoms (ear fullness and sore throat) 

     

    After seeing the GP I was sent for an US as a precaution, and naturally I was already overthinking. Long story short, but I ended up having 3 US scans, 4 ENT visits, and in the end the ENT said the large lump is my spine and the small lumps are nothing of concern because they haven't grown. 

     

    My other symtpoms are being investigated for allergies or reflux (looking like allergies after a clean Gastroscopy!) 

     

    So.. What I trying to say is don't worry too much at this stage. The likelihood is nothing too serious (even though our anxieties tell us otherwise). Get through your tests and work with the professionals to get your answers, but don't drive yourself crazy on the Internet. 

     

    It's now late 2020, and despite the tough year we've have with Covid, I'm still alive healthy and well so I guess the ENT is right

     

     

  • Hi Nayweiser thankyou for your reply , I'm glad that all is well with you. I think you are right its easy for your mind to run away with you hopefully I will get a bit more information on Monday with any luck. 

     

    Hope you have a lovely Christmas and I will post with updates.

     

    Thanks again.

  • Hallo im 53 male just had my 53 rd birthday and just found this lump below my ear lobe its hard full and i feel its grown some also i check it every day?not sure what i should do ?also got some under lining health conditions?any body got any advice ?

  • Hi I'm going through the same situation. Ive found a lump behind my ear which is approximately 1.5 cm. 
    I've been to the doctors today who had referred me  for an emergency appointment EMN and has booked me in for an US. 
    Had my bloods taken today so fingers crossed everything comes back normal. 
    have you had your  results back? 

  • Hi i also have the same problem a lump behind my ear but mine is filled with fluid instead when I squeeze I know I shouldn't but I was just checking it goes down but then goes back to it's original size and was the same ear where I had my tinnitus like alot of people have mentioned below I hope someone could help me and also the doctor as I am getting mixed answers off everyone 

  • Best advice I can give, is stay off the Internet, and listen to your doctors advice.

    It's a scary time finding lumps and we naturally gravitate to the Internet for information, but in the end we just fuel our anxieties. I was guilty of this, and I turned out to be OK. 

    Express all your concerns to your GP, don't hold back and let the experts help you through

    Take care

    Nathan