Ear advice needed!

[judecorp]

Okay, I don't know what to do.

It seems that the snot that had corralled in my nasal passages for the entirety of the weekend has now lodged itself firmly in my ears. And not only does one of them hurt like a mofo, they're really blocked up and everything sounds like I'm underwater. This would be bad enough in itself except I am getting on an airplane on Friday morning, and if I get on the airplane like this, my eardrum is going to explode and I'm going to die.

Does anyone know what I can do about this? (Going to the doctor isn't really an option... I went for my yearly last Friday and I can't really swing another $25 copay.) Thanks in advance!

Comments

[drainbead.livejournal.com]

I'm broke, but if I kick in $5 I'm sure other people will too.

How should I PayPal it to you?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

You know, I really appreciate it, but I would never take your (or anyone else's) money.

I mean, I could scrub it up if I /have/ to... but I'm trying to avoid going back to the doctor when I was just there. Maybe I can call her and see what she says.

[drainbead.livejournal.com]

It's just $5. From 5 people. Spread it out.

You shouldn't have to worry about it. Consider it a gift. Tis the season, and all that. ;-)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

No way, man. But thanks. Really.

(Because I would feel super bad. Because I /have/ the money. It's just money I'm trying not to spend on this. So it would be way lame for me to take other people's money and not my savings.)

[elspazz0.livejournal.com]

those eardrops they make for swimmers ear maybe?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

What is "swimmer's ear"?

[elspazz0.livejournal.com]

"Otitis externa - commonly known as swimmer's ear - is an infection of the ear canal, the tubular opening that carries sounds from the outside of the body to the eardrum. It can be caused by many different types of bacteria or fungi."

Actually, the person to ask about this is miniminuet. She gets terrible earaches CONSTANTLY. I know she often stands in a hot shower and runs her ear under the hot water to melt wax buildup.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I don't think this is wax, though. But I will definitely turn the heat up a little more in the shower tomorrow.

Thanks, pookie.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

By the way--sounds like you have fluid or a MIDDLE ear infection--drops for an OUTER ear infection probably won't help. Swimmers ear is like athletes foot for the ear, it's just external bacteria.

Juse, no shit, if it doesn't get better by Wednesday you need to go to the doctor on Thursday. Infections close to your brain are BAD BAD, and having your eardrum pop under pressure is about the most painful thing I've ever had happen aside from lovely gallstones.

[elspazz0.livejournal.com]

meh, well I ain't no doctor.

;)

[sydneygb.livejournal.com]

I concur. David had similar symptoms a few months ago and it turned out he had an ear infection. Those things are bad enough on their own -- I can't imagine what they'd do in response to changing air pressure on a plane. I do hope you get it cleared up before you travel.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

The thing you think will happen will happen.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Me too me too! I don't ever want to go through that exploding ear hell again!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was planning to call her on Wednesday if it wasn't easing up. I actually did once make the mistake of flying somewhere with plugged up ears (Tampa, actually, for a little vacation) and my eardrum exploded and it was as horrible as you describe. Ruined tons of my vacation, it did. I'm not about to make that same mistake again.

On a positive note, that ear went back to crackling instead of solid whooshing and pain, so maybe it's easing off a bit. I'm going to keep taking the Sudafed and see how today goes.

Thanks!

[saldemonium.livejournal.com]

It hurts like a son-of-a-bitch! Gah! I'm now afraid to go in a pool without earplugs. *whimper*

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Poor you!!

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I do. Sudafed all week, plus Benadryl, plus Afrin before you get on the plane.

I have Zyrtec for this purpose, plus an inhaler, plus Allegra with decongestant, but I'm told the decongestant is Sudafed, and you don't have allergies.

Anything that purports to dry your sinuses out will help.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Okay, I can do the Sudafed, but I can't take Benadryl because it messes me up (makes my body feel all funny). Would I be taking the Sudafed and Benadryl at the same time?

Is Afrin the same as Flonase? (As in, nasal decongestant?) Because we have some of that here.

Thanks, Pru. I knew you would have suggestions, given your recent experience.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I don't know what Afrin is, but it's been recommended strongly by my doctor. Check the contents?

The cost of all these drugs is almost the cost of the copay.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I'll check the contents. Thanks!

[folkyboy.livejournal.com]

my advice would be to get some eucalyptis herbs. it might help clear your nose passage. or, if you want to go the cheap route, eat 3 cloves of garlic. TRUST ME! it works.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Just eat the garlic? Like chew on it?

[folkyboy.livejournal.com]

yup. you don't even have to chew on it, cause i never do. (plain garlic is nasty.) whatever's in garlic will cure any cold in your body. it takes like 3 days and it'll be cleared up. that is, unless you're a vampire. then you'll just be dead. ;)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Uh oh. You wouldn't want me to be DEAD, now would you?

blocked ear

[(Anonymous)]

i've recently had a bout of this myself - and i got some over-the-counter drops called Cerumol..or at least that's what it's called here in Oz...could have some other funky name in the US.
or the stuff for swimmers ear will work.
it's not just for wax - but rather breaking down anything that's blocking the canal.
good luck

Re: blocked ear

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks.

[indigodove.livejournal.com]

Sudafed or something stronger. Try calling your doctor, talk to a nurse, and see if they can just call in a script for you.

OTOH, sudafed taken every four hours should also help.

I hope you're better soon!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I'll try the pleading for a prescription tactic, but I don't think it will work. They always like to /see/ you. BAH!!

[laserkitty.livejournal.com]

jude..........i have absolutely no advise for you. nothing. you could try coming over and i could scream at you for a while and we could go across the street and try jumping up and down on the neighbors trampoline to see if that helps........... i dunno...no ideas.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

You know, trampolines sound kind of dirty... you know, like "Girls on Trampolines" like on the Man Show.

I think we should do it.

[mayna.livejournal.com]

Honestly I think you really just need an antibiotic. That $25 might seem like pennies if something worse gets infected.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

But if it's a virus (like the cold/flu), won't antibiotics do nothing? Would a doctor even prescribe an antibiotic when I don't know that I have a bacterial infection?

Just wondering.

[mayna.livejournal.com]

I don't think viruses hit your ears like that. A dr would want to see you before prescribing an antibiotic, and the dr can tell what kind of infection you have. I think viruses also only last a few days while a bacterial infection lasts a few weeks... but anything hitting your ears, I'd see a dr for.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I'm going to see how today goes. This morning is already better than last night. My ear is no longer a solid block, but I get the crackles now when I swallow. And I can block my nose and pop my ears (which I also couldn't do last night) - so I think I have some movement now.

I'm going to take round-the-clock Sudafed today and keep blowing the green boogers out of my nose (yum, I know) and see if it clears up tomorrow. If not, I'm making the call.

Thanks for your help!

[eyelineraddict.livejournal.com]

the best thing to take would be claritin d, or claritin and a decongestant like sudafed (which is the same thing). it is really the only way you can completely decongest your head, which is really the problem with most inner and middle ear infections. since the snot came from the inside, that is where it probably is now. for pain, you can take ibuprofen, or something, but could also try a blow drier on low heat on that ear.

hope that helps.
oh, and i have personally tried this and it works. and i am in medical school, if that convinces you any more...

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I've been taking lots of Sudafed. I also tried Benadryl last night, and a "decongestant" form of Robitussin (because I was also coughing like mad). I plan to take beaucoup Sudafed today. Maybe I will get some Claritin on the way home from work, because we don't have any here anymore.

Thanks!

[volumeat11.livejournal.com]

Sex and chocolate. Cures almost anything. Athlete's foot, the common cold, jock itch, the flu, bronchitis, ebola... You name it. It's great. Try it. Let me know how it goes.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Dude, you think I have jock itch? That's as nasty as your having the hots for my grandma!! ;)

[volumeat11.livejournal.com]

I'm not saying you HAVE jock itch, I'm just saying sex and chocolate will CURE it...if you had it...and ear aches...um...it's time for me to be quiet now.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

DO ME.

[volumeat11.livejournal.com]

...with or without Melis?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

With. She's saucy!