Expert: Shashank Shekhar Pandey - 10/18/2011

Question
I'm not certain this is within your realm of expertise but chose to contact you in hopes you may have some insight on my daughters' health issues.

About 5 years ago she had a Nuclear Stress Test.  Afterward there seemed to be no side effects until about a year later when she became extremely sensitive to her cellphone, if she was talking on it near her ear (either ear).  It made her head feel hot and her ear burn.  

I might also add she got a new cellphone about 6 months ago, thinking that could be the problem but it didn't change a thing.

She limited her cellphone use to mere emergencies, unless she used speaker.  The problem has seemed to escalate since that time.  

About 2 years ago she was pregnant with her 2nd child.  After nursing him for a year, she is now down 20 pounds to her pre-pregancy weight.  Whether this is related in any way to the nuclear stress test is a question or could it be due to loss of sleep, stress of working full time, caring for a 9 year old daughter with all her extra school activities and everything else that goes with caring for an infant.  

She has also had some occasional headaches but the primary concern is the burning and sensitivity in her ears.  She took her daughter to a water park in early August and since then, the problem seems to have increased even more.  

She has used vinegar and grain alcohol (equal mix) and put 3 or 4 drops in each ear.  At first it burned even more but after 2 days it wasn't burning.  She has not been regular in using this treatment, however, and we are unsure whether this is a proper treatment.  This was recommended by a homeopathic practitioner.  The burning issue comes and goes randomly, whether she uses her cellphone or not but is much worse when she has the cellphone near her ear(s).

Lately, she lets most of her calls go to voicemail (she's an office manager and often has employees calling her).  When she does put her cellphone to her ear, she said the burning increases and her ears feel wet.   

I heard a quick blip, (I caught the tail end of a story), about a year ago on the radio as I was driving, about nuclear stress test and cellphone sensitivity; however I have searched far and wide and have been unable to come up with any further info on the subject.

She has seen a homeopathic practitioner and has clearly mentioned to him the cellphone issue causing burning and her head feeling hot.  However, he has dismissed it and offers no advice .. perhaps because he hasn't a clue.

Do you have any advice to offer her?  Frankly she doesn't know where/who to turn to with this problem that seems to be escalating.  I'm deeply concerned for her health.

I welcome any advice you have to offer.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Charlotte, I would advise you to take your daughter to see a good doctor preferably a neurologist in person. Only he/ she can give you a better advice on this issue. Diagnosis is important and only a qualified doctor can assist you in this case.

Wishing you all the best!
Regards
Shashank Shekhar