Ear Pain - Cincinnati,OH

Updated on January 31, 2012
C.M. asks from Cincinnati, OH
10 answers

I have been having recurring sinus infections (five since Sept) and I am scheduled for sinus surgery to open them up and to repair a deviated septum. I have been on antibiotics for just over a week now. Instead of getting better, I got worse. So bad, that I Friday I had a difflicult time eating because I had to try and chew while breathing through my mouth at the same time. On Friday, my doctor prescribed Predinsone, which has helped the sinuses a great deal. However I am still having ear pain. It is not just the pressure or fullnes that you might expect to go along with all the congestion form the sinuses. My right ear HURTS. If I wasn't already on antibiotics I would think that I had an ear infection.

I know that the vast majority of you are not medical professionals. However, I was wondering if anyone, from their exprience, knew what could be going on? Also, do you have any ideas about what can be done for the ear pain? I will call the doctor on Monday, unless it gets really bad. If that shoul happen, I will go to Urgent Care or the Emergency Room. Right now I just need some relief. Oh, by the way, OTC pain relievers will take a little bit of an edge off, but it still hurts.

p.s. I am also taking Musinex, Zyrtec, and Flonase. Due to boold pressure, I am not able to take any decongestants.

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So What Happened?

First thing Sunday morning, I went to a Take Care Clinic at Walgreens. There was no infection and everything looked okay. She gave me some numbing drops, which helped minimally. I called my ENT Monday morning and they asked me to come in this morning. My ENT has switched my antibiotic to see if that will help. Also, because my condition is getting harder to treat, we are going to work to move up my surgery date.

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Have you seen a dentist? Not to be scarey, but sometimes doctors are not looking at teeth or gums for decayed teeth, absesses or teeth growing somewhere (do you have wisdom teeth?). I just went through a horrible earache not long ago, got antiobiotics, did what I was told and voila, relief with a very dead tooth in the back of my mouth which has since gone to the tooth fairy. Doctors are trained in their specialties, dentists are looking for different things. I didn't even realize how dead my tooth was and like you thought it was related to sinuses, earache, etc. but tooth removed easily and really I haven't had any problems since.Just saw CALLME MR. MOM's post. Looks like a similar problem. Good luck!!!

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P.E.

answers from Atlanta on

if the pain is too great and a OTC is not lowering the pain? Go to the urgent care.

It could be as Cheryl said - a ruptured ear drum. It could be as Rachel said - all the stuff in your sinuses.

Totally off here - but one time I had a sinus infection and my ears hurt. Went to the ENT - yes, sinus infection. No ear problems. Found out I needed a root canal on my back tooth by the ear - THAT was infected. yuck. I'll take sinus infections over root canals any day!

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M.B.

answers from Austin on

Just to let you know... you can be on antibiotics and STILL get ear infections.

My son had repeated ear infections as an infant....

at one point, he was on a 3 WEEK does (3 weekstherapeutic dose to get rid of the bacteria, then we were going to go on a 1/2 dose to keep the bacteria away)..... we didn't even get to the 1/2 dose and he ended up with a double ear infection!

As soon as we got back from our Christmas trip (this happened while visiting family over the holidays), we made an appointment with an ENT..... a week after his appointment, he got ear tubes.

Even after the ear tubes, he still got ear infections... the doctor finally decided it was starting in the sinuses, so he started him on a nasal steroid spray... that really helped.

But... as others have said, if the pain is really bad, go to an urgent care place... you may have ruptured your ear drum.

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R.D.

answers from Richmond on

I know the feeling! I've felt that way for a WEEK!

Just started my antibiotics, but I'm guessing the pain you're feeling is pressure... did they tell you that you have a double ear infection as well?

The pain is caused by the pressure of all that ____@____.com in your sinuses... try taking a hot, steamy shower and/or running the humidifier. If you have sweet oil, put 2 drops in each ear, OR, if you have wax ear candles, use those!!

Regardless, I'd sleep on it, and call your doc in the morning. Nasonex (per my brother who had recurring sinus infections forEVER) helps tremendously! Take some Sudafed, that too, will help dry you out.

FEEL BETTER!!

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

You have gotten a lot of good advice but I am gonna add a thought. Eating spicy food will help to ease you sinuses. Hot salsa, Chinese Hot and Sour soup, even a bowl of chilli. Makes your nose run.

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

First about your surgery:

I had this same surgery in April 2009. My septum was fixed. Keep in mind that for 48 hours you will be sitting up to sleep - so get a travel neck pillow. At 48 to 36 hours they will remove the packing - you will feel light headed for a moment as the oxygen rushes back to your brain! :) You will need to get the NeilMed sinus rinse (i do NOT like the netti pot).

Now as to your pain:
If your pain is at a 8 or better - go to the Urgent Care - it's ENTIRELY possible that you ruptured your ear drum - not to scare you - but that's what happened to me when I had a NASTY A$$ sinus infection - from blowing my nose and everything else - hurt like a mofo and thought having a baby was easier! That's how much it hurt and I have a good tolerance for pain!

Seriously - if your pain is 8 or above - get to an urgent care. Ensure that your ear drum is not ruptured.

GOOD LUCK!!

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D.M.

answers from Joplin on

fluid in the ear? if so only thing that helped me was a prescription from the doctor for claritin,claritin d I believe. ear is better...... and hasnt hurt since.

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D..

answers from Charlotte on

You really need to go get that ear looked at. It sounds like your eardrum is about to rupture. You really don't want that. They can do something to make it less likely that you will lose hearing. Having your eardrum rupture on its own can really do a number on your hearing.

Dawn

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E.W.

answers from Cleveland on

DO you use a nasal rinse or netipot? I would have the dr check your ears out to make sure there isn't any debris causing the pain. Have you ever been tested for an immune deficiency? My daughter gets a lot of infections and I always thought there had to be something wrong with her ear canal or sinus cavity. I saw many doctors. Finally someone did an immune panel on her and found out she had low levels of antibodies and that was why she kept getting sick. There are five different antibodies they test for. The one type has to do with the mining of the nose, throat, stomach, eg. Another great product is Colloidal silver spray. At the first sign of any symptoms you spray it several times a day in your nose. It is a natural antibiotic and you don't have to swallow it. My daughter's gut became such a mess from all the antibiotics she was on. If you can see an osteopathic doctor who can help you with more natural approaches to treating your infections. Mine has helped a lot. I hope fixing the deviated septum gives you relief and solves your problems for you. If it doesn't, I would make an immunologist your next dr visit.

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G.B.

answers from Boise on

Stop ALL dairy- which creates extra phlem and extra pressure.

Sometimes high aldosterone can cause ear pain. Do a google search...are you having any ringing?

My sister said that xyclear works better than flonase....and it treats fungal infections which many sinus infections are.

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