Help with ear infection (suspected)???

[TinysMom]

My ear has been hurting for two or three days now and I suspect I have an ear infection. I have very small eustachian (sp?) tubes and have frequently had problems - particularly if I get dehydrated (I don't know why that affects my ears).

Yesterday my ears were hurting very badly - but I didn't take any pain killers or do anything. I mainly focused on drinking since in the past that has helped.

BAD MOVE.

This morning I awoke to less pain - but a lot of wetness in the ear. Based on what I've experienced before when I had a bad ear infection - I suspect that perhaps my ear drum ruptured/burst...whatever. I know it can and will heal itself.

So my question is...if the ear drum has ruptured (and will now heal itself) - do I need to see a doctor - or can I just wait for the ear to heal itself? I know it will take a bit of time...

Right now my ear is uncomfortable - but not the throbbing I had yesterday. I'm about to take a painkiller and take a nap and see if that helps.

With Art being retired military - I have to go to the military hospital - which mean sI call today and might get an appointment in a week or so. I don't think they believe in sending me to the emergency room for this...I don't know because I haven't called them.

Have I mentioned that I'm extremely scared of doctors and dentists and my blood pressure goes sky high at the thought of a visit - let alone an actual visit?

So I guess my question boils down to....if I can manage the pain - will the ear now heal itself - or must I go get antibiotics? (Can I give myself a shot of the bunnies' Pen G?? (just kidding)).

Thanks - I'll try to read responses when I get up - but for now - a nap is definitely in order..


Edited to add: This is NOT swimmer's ear. I've had that before....more than once.

I have had my eardrum rupture two or three times before (did I mention I hate going to see the doctor??) but I don't remember if I had to be put on meds or if I just waited it out w/ painkillers...its been about 15 years I think since the last time I went through this...

 

[pumpkinandwhiskersmom]

I'd at least give them a call and see what they say. I know that military medicine is different than civilian care, but I know how painful ruptured eardrums can be. I would guess that the infection has drained, but that if left untreated, it won't just go away. There may still be bacteria there, and the infection can get worse. Take care, and I hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[LadyBug]

idk, but hugs!

:hug1

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Well, Peg, the fluid is probably a good thing since you want the fluid to break loose. Draining is a good thing..... Try to keep it wiped out so the fluid doesn't go back into the ear.

I had an eardrum burst when I was a child. It actually healed and I am in some weird medical book somewhere because I had no scarring and no hearing loss. The treatment was - 1 pt. warm water to 1 pt. peroxide put in the ear with a bulb syringe and let it sit for a minute and then let it drain back out. They did this 2 to 3 times a day for my ear - it was infected and that is why they originally did it.

Lexi had tubes as a baby because she had chronic fluid.

Also - have you tried Claritin D? I use that and it seems to get the fluid off my ears.

Cotton placed in the ear to keep the air out will help the pain.

Warm compresses on the ear when it's painful will help also (heat a small towel in the microwave or dryer and lay on it with the sore ear on a pillow).....

 

[polly]

aw Peg poor you I know how sore that can be Pennies advice is good. I found that a hot water bottle and laying on it helped a lot i did get penicillin from the docs but it had already burst it was more because I had tonsilitis and it had gone up into my ear causing the infection in teh first place!

You would be better to phone and find out from the doctor but at leats putting cotton wool in it will help to keep it dry and everything else out!

:hug:

 

[MissBinky]

From what I know, ruptured ear drums are said to be really painful... And, in any case, ear infections should always be treated because you can get permanent damage even if you don't realize it right away. Sucks, but you really should have it checked :rose:

 

[TinysMom]

Thanks everyone - I took Tramadol (which the doctor HAD prescribed for my back/arm a bit ago when I fell) and took a nap. For the first hour - I was still in a lot of pain and everytime I tried to swallow - the ear really gave me problems. Then suddenly - it drained - again.

I'm still sore and hurting but not in as much pain. (I'm about to take more Tramadol in a bit).

I emailed Art to update him at work and basically said I'm going on Garlic tablets (for the infection) and going to use the Tramadol for tomorrow too - we have a major reset scheduled and I can't back out.

However, if I still feel bad on Thursday - I am calling early in the am to try and get an "emergency" appointment at the clinic.

What does concern me is that now I can feel a little lump under the ear - like there is an infection going on.....(Garlic is often used as a "natural" antibiotic by some folks) - so I'll give the garlic 24 hours to work on it and see if it helps....but I suspect I'm going to the doctor (I almost said the vet) on Thursday a.m.

Robin offered to give me a shot of the rabbits' Pen G.....but I've had shots of that before - OUCH. I was like "No Way....No How....Uh Huh..".

I'll let everyone know what happens if I wind up going to the doctor....

 

[JadeIcing]

GO IN! Ok seriously don't mess with ears. I did and lost my hearing for a bit. NOT FUN!

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

I'm so sorry to hear this Peg, you poor thing! I've read pretty much everything, if I missed something, I apologize.

I was wondering have any of your doctors ever mentioned, suggested tubes in your ears? Like if you get infections/irriation alot, like they usually do especially with kids, as I'm sure you know. Just wondering if that's been hit on and what your feelings are on that? I've had sinus surgery and that wasn't fun at all!:grumpy: Now, I can laugh.

Hoping the best for you, let us know what your plan is and please chat if you feel the need to! We're here!

 

[TinysMom]

So much for working yesterday - the pain meds caught up with me and kicked my .... well anyway. Yeah.

I spent over 21 hours in bed - mostly sleeping - sometimes with a fever. I threw up a few times too. I was up four times for about 20-30 minutes each time before I would collapse back in the bed.

I called this morning and got an appointment today at 1:30 pm at the hospital. I am hoping that I can make it for the ride in without being sick to my stomach. I am beginning to think I understand how a wry neck bunny feels. (Art is driving me in - there is no way he will trust me to drive in right now).

As of this moment - my ear is totally swollen shut and there is a lump underneath it. It feels like its draining some inside too - but I can not tell for sure.

I have some pain but not too much.

I will update after the visit.

 

[slavetoabunny]

Since you already have a doctors appointment, this information is late but may still be helpful:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/perforated_eardrum/article_em.htm

 

[mouse_chalk]

Aww Peg, that sounds horrible! I feel for you!

Good luck at the hospital- I hope they can help make you feel more comfortable. Do you have any dizziness/spinning? Ear infections/related illnesses always scare me because of my balance disorder- I would hate for anyone else to have to go through that! I'll be thinking of you :hug:

 

[NZminilops]

Oh man, this sounds awefull! Best wishes to you and hope that you aren't left with any hearing loss. You must be feeling totally yucky .

 

[TinysMom]

I'm back...and I'm wiped out. (I am eating something so let's hope that helps me feel better).

The interesting news is - he doesn't think it is a problem with my ear. Well - it might be a problem with my ear - but he can't even look in my ear and see anything.

One of my very back teeth on that side (bottom gum) is mostly dead - only half there...and he thinks that underneath it - I have an abcess developing - but that it went sideways and into the lymph gland under my ear. My lymph gland is swollen a lot and the whole ear itself is swollen almost shut. My gum is also swollen but not really painful (but I did wonder about the possibility of an abcess starting).

He gave me some strong antibiotics (and warned me about nausea and diaherra from taking them) but he doesn't want to give me ear drops since he can't even see into the ear to see the ear drum.

As a side note - when he looks in the good ear - he can't see the ear drum in there either...he said, "Wow..you DO have small tubes".

If I have really bad pain again - he wants me to go to the ER. He said it will take these pills about 2 days for me to start feeling any relief (gee thanks) and that of course I should finish the whole prescription (10 days). He wants to see me back again after the swelling goes down.

It also looks like he's my new doctor...man...I'd just gotten used to the other one and trusted him. (I hate doctors and avoid them if I can).

Anyway - that's the status of what's going on with my ear.

 

[pinksalamander]

I so feel for you. I have very thin sinuses and all the tubes around there so I have alor of problems with my ears. Infact I have a cold now and my ears feel completley blocked and won't 'pop' themselves. I can't hear anything!

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[NZminilops]

That sounds nasty Peg, ouch . Did you notice any bad breath or anything like that? I could smell when Mat had a gum/tooth issue once from his breath.

He's got a small ear canal too and gets wax impaction a lot in his ears, just had them syringed out 2 days ago, I got to watch, oh boy :shock:. It looked like cupfuls of wax. His ear drums are a bit inflamed and red now and sore.

Hope the anti-biotics work quickly. If you have an abcess will you need an operation?

 

[mouse_chalk]

Oh gosh, that sounds so painful! Did he give you any painkillers, or are you going to keep with the tramadol? I find that tramadol is very good for pain, but it doesn't half knock you out!

I really hope you'll start to feel better soon :hug:

 

[pumpkinandwhiskersmom]

Aw, Peg, I'm so sorry that you're having so much trouble with this. I'm really glad that you got in to see a doc. Sounds like a dentist visit is in the future, too. Make sure that you eat yogurt with live cultures every day while you're on the antibiotic. This should help with the diarrhea especially. Take care....sending good thoughts and prayers your way....

 

[seniorcats]

Hey Peg, how are feeling? Getting any better?

 

[TinysMom]

seniorcats wrote:

Hey Peg, how are feeling? Getting any better?

I've been somewhat better - but I forgot to take my meds at noon and around 3 pm today - I was so sick. I wouldn't think that forgetting to take your antibiotics could make a person so sick - but I was sweating and just feeling like I was gonna throw up and feverish and stuff. It took about 30 minutes to pass.

My ear has now opened up again (the outsides were swollen shut) and I can somewhat hear a bit - but it is still swollen on the inside (which is part of why I can't hear).

I'm supposed to go and have my tooth pulled - joy oh joy - I'm terrified of dentists. I am going to look at my schedule and try to get an appointment on a Friday (after I'm off the meds - hoping that the abcess will be gone too).

Anyway - I'm doing better than I was (worked from 8 am till about 4:45 pm today - and HARD work too)....but I'm still not where I want to be...

Oh wait...that would be Anchorage, AK!

:biggrin2: