Art Linkletter, for those of us that are old enough to know who he is... wrote a book titled, "Old Age Isn't for Sissies". Kathy, now that you reminded me of that "isn't for sissies" saying.... I believe that book being in the back of my mind, is what kinda helped me through and tolerate CLL.
I remember in one part of the book, Mr. ZLinkletter talks about the amount of tenacity and fortitude it takes, just to get out of bed some mornings because of the aches and pains associated with old age. He pokes fun at the younger generations, who think they have it so rough. Switch out "old age" with "cll", and it pretty much is the same difference.

Problem is..... being old and having leukemia and it's unforgiving treatments on top of old age is..... definitely not for sissies.

Hi Norlin, thank you so much for your input. I definitely will be getting an ENT appointment. So sorry for the severe pain that you endured. As my Mom would say “this isn’t for sissies”.

Ear & head ache could mean brain concern? I had thought it might be the #8 nerve which covers the face from the brain? Ear & head to me means central nervous system or brain? Brukinsa can affect the brain after many years of usage? I hope you can find someone who can locate why you have this pain and get help to resolve your illness?

Kathy, I was going to suggest the ENT doctor. I had two ear infections (aches) which came after a mild case of pneumonia. The pneumonia is almost gone but my ears still click when I swallow. With Leukemia we are more susceptible to upper respiratory infections. The CLL depending on the stage weakens our immune system. They will probably put you on antibiotics which should be fine with your oncologist. Get it treated because I didn’t and my left ear drum “almost” was punctured. I thought my head was going to come off it hurt so much. God Bless you!

I didn't take any CLL drug to treat my CLL but I did have those severe pains even more. After seeing multiple doctors, also going back forth to the ER I saw a doctor in the ER who figured out it was GCA, Giant Cell Arteritis which is a blood clot in the temporal arteries. This is a disease of mainly people from northern European descent. It has to be diagnosed via a biopsy of the temporal vein. These veins will probably be swollen. This condition can cause instantaneous permanent blindness. It is extremely rare in NM where I live. The cause of this disease is unknown. Taking prednisone is crucial. If you have it I'll share all the information I've learned about it. Just let me know. I wish you well. Hang in there. Iolene