Help I Have a BAD Earache

[BrokenBladder]

A few weeks back in December I had a bad earache in my right ear. The doctor gave me Levaquin for 20 days. Things seemed to improve. Then out of no where my left ear it started hurting really bad last night. This pain is horrible!! I've tried swimmers ear some homeopathic drops but nothing seems to help at all. I really need to get relief soon!! Needless to say my doctor isn't in today and I'm just in tears. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Ssorry for any typos, but I caan't even think straight.

[Pharmacist.steve]

A few weeks back in December I had a bad earache in my right ear. The doctor gave me Levaquin for 20 days. Things seemed to improve. Then out of no where my left ear it started hurting really bad last night. This pain is horrible!! I've tried swimmers ear some homeopathic drops but nothing seems to help at all. I really need to get relief soon!! Needless to say my doctor isn't in today and I'm just in tears. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Ssorry for any typos, but I caan't even think straight.

Try Sudafed - especially when there is a head/sinus cold/congestion ... it ends up being fluid in the estation tubes and that is the only thing that will help.. if you don't/can't anything orally/systemically ... sometimes you can get relief from Afrin

[Lea]

Lisa,

Was it an outer ear infection? Try using warm compresses or a heating pad to the affected ear. If you are on pain meds and it's still hurting that bad, you might call the doctor oncall for your doctor's group. Maybe they could call in some anesthetic drops or even go ahead and put you on some empirical antibiotics until you can see your regular doctor on Monday.

[BrokenBladder]

Steve I had my DH run down and get some Sudafed tonight but so far it hasn't improved. Sigh...... Maybe with a couple of doses I will see some improvement though. I sure hope so.

Lea no it was an inner ear infection except it was in the other ear......not the one that is killing me now. I am on pain meds and they don't seem to come close to touching this awful pain. I have been using heat in hopes that will help. I did call my doctors office in hopes that they would call something in, but of course, they want me to go to the hospital. Yuck!!
What I'm feeling is this instense pain somewhere down in my ear but it always is all around my face, up in my head, in my teeth(on that side), and my ear is sore all around the outside as well. All I know is that this is incredibly painful and I just can't stand it!!

Thanks for the replies and hopefully this will ease off some. A girl can always hope, right?

[Mark N]

Lisa, I hope you are doing better this morning. If you are still in so much pain how about a 24 hour medical clinic?

[BrokenBladder]

Mark thanks for the advice. I feel a little better but not good enough to just sit around and wait for tomorrow to get here. I think I will try and go to the clinic......I just hate the wait and being around people who have the flu etc. I'm hardly sleeping at all though and this is throwing my body into a hugo Fibro and Bladder flare so I have to do something.

[simby]

i hope you have been to the clinic and are resting by now.
Feel better soon.

hugs,
sims

[Lea]

What I'm feeling is this instense pain somewhere down in my ear but it always is all around my face, up in my head, in my teeth(on that side), and my ear is sore all around the outside as well. All I know is that this is incredibly painful and I just can't stand it!!

Thanks for the replies and hopefully this will ease off some. A girl can always hope, right?

Sounds like you have some sinus involvement as well. It will often cause pain in your face and teeth. Hope the Sudafed helps and I understand about you not wanting to go to the clinic. There is a flu outbreak here in my town and my son is just getting over it.

Hope you get some sleep tonite.

[BrokenBladder]

Well my earache just wasn't getting any better last night so my friend stopped by to check on me and she told me I really didn't look good. I was trying to deal with this until today(Monday)when I could get to my regular PCP but she insisted I go to the ER. So off we went. I was still in my pajamas, lol, and I did look like h$$l. Anyway they said that I have an ear infection with poossible rupture so they gave me numbing drops and antibiotics. I'm allowed to put the drops in every hour as needed. It has improved some but not completely.:rolleyes: The doctor in the ER didn't have any bedside manner but I didn't really care as long as she gave me something.
Now this morning I feel pretty crappy and am very shaky. Go fiigure!! The pain has really affected me more than I thought it would.:(
Today I will try and get an appointment to see a ENT speciatist and see what is reallu going on. Thanks for all of the support and wish me luck!!!!:)

[Kathi49]

Hi Lisa,

I am sorry you are going through so much! :) I wrote about this in another post but I had a ruptured eardrum last summer. I was in the pool doing gentle water aerobics for the spinal issues. All I did was to go under in 5 ft. of water. When I came up, I heard a pop and intense pain for a few seconds then it stopped. However, the pain came back full force in about 3 days. So, I went to the ENT and he prescribed Nasacort, Allegra and I believe an antibiotic. Evidently, my Eustachian tubes were blocked due to allergies. But I know the pain you are speaking of and it is not like what I would term a normal earache.

IF, IF, IF you do have a ruptured eardrum, the doc will probably tell you to stay out of the water and not to let any water in you ear. For me, it took about 3-4 months to totally close. He originally told me to soak a cotton ball in Vaseline and put that in my ear when I showered. But that was such a pain. So, I found these waxy little disc things at the drug store for swimmers. You can mold them to fit snuggly in your ear while showering. Worked like a charm for me. :) Just a thought.

I hope you can get into the ENT today...I know this hurts!

[BrokenBladder]

I want to thank all of you for your help. I just can't seem to get any kind of relief at all. My next step is to get a referrll to an Ent. I really didn't wan to but the pain is unbearable. I promise to keep everyone posted and let you know the outcome.

[Peter B]

Lisa,

I have experienced true, horrific pain in my life. Bone pain is terrible. I've gone under the knife twenty-three times.

Whenever I have been asked to give my pain a number, I'll explain what a level 10 is for me. I say if I was to endure a '10' for longer than 1 minute, I would seriously shoot myself in the head (substitute any life ending method or drug).

I experienced a '10' once. Thankfully it lasted for less than a second.

All that said, there is something very "special" about any pain that occurs in the head. Be it ears, headache, dental probs, whatever. I don't know how long I would be able to endure what you are going through, Lisa.

You're an inspiration to stay strong. I don't know you, yet I'm quite proud of you.

I sincerely hope your misery ends soon.

Pete

[BrokenBladder]

Peter thanks so much for your kind words!! Although I have to say that I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make this pain stop. I can't even get my son to school, his friend is taking him because I'm hurting so bad I'm afraid I might wreck the car. All I do is sit around and shake like a leaf because it just won't stop!! I'm a mess to tell you the truth!!

[Pamster]

Oh Lisa, I am so sorry you're suffering so badly, I have never had a ruptured eardrum, but I am sure it's horribly painful. I wish you were feeling better and that your regular pain meds would have some effect on this pain. My ears are stuffed up right now but thankfully not painful, just pressure because I am fighting off a headcold. I hope you get in to see the ENT soon so you can find out what is really going on. Best wishes to you and hoping for some relief for you today. :(

[BrokenBladder]

Thanks!!! I have an appointment tomorrow with an EMT so hopefully I can find out what in the world is going on. I will post again to let you guys know what he says. Thanks for all of the support that you guys have given me, it has really meant alot to me.

[Cry Tears]

Here's a tip for everyone to make themselves a hot pack.
You put in microwave less than 3 minutes.....or freezer (plastic bag) few hours for cold pack.
Take a sock....any kind except wool or fancy ones with metalic threads/bangles.
Make sure it doesn't have ANY holes.
A long one is best. Cotton is great, nylon ok, gym socks work well.
A clean one is essential and highly recomended! Pee-uey! LOL!
Put about 6 cups ANY of the following grains:
UNCOOKED of course! Mush just won't work! LOL!
Flax seed (I find this the best grain for this, is softer, retains heat longest)
Its often expensive if you purchase smaller cereal box portions.
Short grain white rice...or any rice you have.
Cracked corn works, grits too.
Soy beans work too!
Cherry pits, dreid and cleaned.
You can try just about any small type grain or bean.
Experiment with what you have on hand if $ is a factor.

When you've filled your sock, simply tie the top in a knot...or machine or hand sew it shut. No staples, pins or metal closures.

Microwave for less than 3 mins. Try 2 mins at first.
This sack will come out warm and moist.
The moisture is from condensation and will disipate rapidly.
Eventrually with use, it stops being moist.
Some people like to add cloves, lavenders or just about any fragrances,
but it loses its fragrance rather quickly. And who wants to smell anything
when you're in pain!?!?!??! So I don't "sweeten" them.

These are perfect for headaches, pain in neck, back, menses cramps, sore muscles, ear aches, cold hands, feet....and just about anything you wish.
Children love these, especially if made from cute materials.
Perfect for bedtime incentives, cold car rides. Use caution if giving to small children or infirm ones....can be too hot and burn them!
Caution! The biggest problem wtih these is theft!
Grannys 've been known to steal them cuz they just can't seem to stay warm!
I've made these for years and have sold them to hospitals gift shops, clinics and pharmacies.
I've seen them in the malls kiosks for around $45:eek:
Talk about a rip off! $1.50 is total cost to make one.
I make them using fancy materials such as fleece,minky fleece, minky terry cloth, flannel, plain terry cloth, velvet, or just about any material as long as its microwave freindly that doesn't have metalic threads or embroideries.
I make a 9 X 12 sack double stitched, leave an opening, turn, fill then top stitch closure. I make some longer ones...after stitching, turning rightside out,
I top stictch several "channels" leave long ends to put velcroe...these are great for neck bags. You can make just about any size as long as it stays under 6-8 cups holding capacity.

I usually use Flax seed because its softer, the oil contained inside its hull helps retain the heat longer, (about 30 minutes). Flax seed is my #1 choice in making these but you may not have this on hand. You will find this seed at grocery stores. Some sell it in bulk food sections for less $. I purchase it in 25lb bags for half the cost.
If you'd like me to make you some just PM me. I can ship about 6-8 of them in a flat rate box...shipping $8.50.
I'd be happy to answer any questions in making these...perhaps you'd want to try and sell them to your pain clinic? Church bizarrs? eBay? BT?! Could be a way to make a few $?!?!
I've dubbed them "Bed-Bag Buddies"
Blessings to all. Cheryl

[BrokenBladder]

CryTears what a fantastic idea you came up with!! I sure hope you can make some money on the side selling them!! I did try using heat by buying one of those OTC heat things that you microwave but I really didn't see any relief. Maybe your kind might have worked. If the doctor suggest something like that for me tomorrow, or maybe even if he dosen't, I will order some from you for all of my other aches and pains. Thanks for sharing!!