OT: ear infection

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Lauren Christy 23 years ago

Hi all, Gosh I've missed reading the posts for the past several days. I have a nasty ear infection that won't go away and I feel worse every day. Been on an antibiotic since Thursday, but Saturday morning woke up with a "full" feeling in one of my ears, along with severe pain and complete hearing loss in that ear. After visiting urgent care on Sunday, I found out that the eardrum is full of fluid "like a balloon". (I was told it could very well rupture) Now I have a pretty severe hearing loss anyway (I wear hearing aids) but this is as close to being completely deaf as I have ever been. I am going to go back to my dr.'s office tomorrow and ask them to PLEASE poke a tiny hole in my eardrum to drain the ear. I just have a "feeling" that the longer all that fluid just sits there, the more long term damage will be done. If they do poke a (small) hole, it should heal, shouldn't it? I don't want to destroy the residual hearing I have in that ear, but I simply can't take this pain & dizziness anymore. It could just as easily rupture on its own and that would (I'm assuming) be much more painful and take longer to heal. Wouldn't you think? Anyone else have experience with this? (they said they don't put tubes in adults ears, so that's not an option)

Thanks for any insight anyone can share. Looking forward to feeling up to catching up with all your posts! :-)

--Lauren in MA

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King's Crown 23 years ago

Well, I don't have adult experience... as for the hole in the ear and healing ... yes my daughter had the tubes put in and after 2 years they fell out so there was a hole that healed up. As for it rupturing and having a lot of hearing loss. I've had 2 friends with ruptured ear drums and they both said they had no noticeable hearing loss. Said maybe if they were tested, but on their own they couldn't tell a difference. Just said the waking up after the rupture in the middle of the night was very scary. Both said that poking a hole in the ear drum was never discussed with them at the doctors.

Lynne

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Sheri Payne 23 years ago

This is from my dh: pressure of that kind on the eardrum will not cause permanent damage. Either the body will absorb the fluid or the eardrum will burst, both of which will heal. Using a sharp instrument to lance the eardrum will possibly introduce infection which is much worse than fluid pressure. Infection can cause permanent damage, so if your eardrum does burst please see your doctor.

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Mneets 23 years ago

Please get another opinion.. I have the finest Dr in Hartford CT... and he IS reputed to be the best. I had an ear operation several years ago.. and he put a tube in my ear..... said I needed it because of the history of ear problems I have had. I was in my 50's at the time. SO... another opinion might help if your insurance allows it..... Hugs, Neets, Memere Neets, Anita Connecticut, USA

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Karlie 23 years ago

Wow i really hope you get better soon Lauren!

-Kars..*

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Patty H 23 years ago

I can't say that I've ever had an ear infection that I can remember. I'm sure I probably did when I was little because I was sick a lot.

DD has never had an ear infection. She is over 4 years old. She was breast-fed until she was 1 year old and she stayed home with me the entire time. She didn't start going to a babysitter until she was nearly 2. I think she and I are very fortunate.

I can't even imagine how you feel but I hope you get better:o)

--

**Patty H in Florida**

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Tabatha Rochell 23 years ago

Hope you get to feeling better soon

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Tabatha Rochell 23 years ago

Another thing my Mom did with my brother before tubes was fill a baby sock FULL of salt, then tie it in a knot and microwave it for as hot as you can take it.. Then sit with it on your ear... it helped him...

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Tazmadazz 23 years ago

I hope you feel better soon Lauren. Sometimes they may drain the fluid, it is very uncomfortable immediately, but may feel better in a short time. They generally don't put tubes in adult ears.

Teresa in MD

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