heiwalove
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6467
posted
this isn't lyme-related, but..
i'm getting over a cold and it suddenly all went into my ears, and now i have the WORST ear infection i can ever remember having. my whole head and face are sore and i can barely hear at all. doc gave me 5 days of levaquin, 750 mg/day. just took my first dose last night. really hoping it doesn't make me herx!
does anyone have any recommendations on what to do for an ear infection? i'm especially interested in any natural remedies you might know of..
merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
You could try using a hot water bottle and compress your ear and face. May help loosen up the junk in there. My dad had to get his ear drained once. It was no fun. I hope you feel better.
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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heiwalove
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6467
posted
i've never heard of getting your ear drained.. yikes. what does that entail?
bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
I use three or four drops of colloidal silver directly in the ear.
It got rid of an ear infection in my little girl
in two doses that would go away after three rounds of antibiotics. (The irony is that I
think the massive abx as a baby may have saved her from congenital lyme.) I've used it twice on her, and
twice on myself with the same results. Sorry if you get a bad herx, but just remember that means
a that much closer to wellness! Good luck!
bejoy
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Actually infections (of all kinds) ARE Lyme related.
I had an ear infection back three years ago(two years before getting diagnosed). My LLMD told me it was most likely Lyme related. Go figure.
Posts: 366 | From MA | Registered: Apr 2006
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heiwalove
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6467
posted
hmm. i don't believe infections of all kinds are lyme related. people without lyme get colds, flus, ear infections, etc, too. if there's one thing i've learned after having this illness for all these years, it's that not *everything is lyme-related, and not everything is lyme!
thanks for the colloidal silver tip, bejoy! any recommendations on a brand?
SunRa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3559
posted
hey heather, sorry you're feeling so awful ear infections can be sooo uncomfortable and painful.
the abx cipro/hydrocortisone ear drops have really helped me through the worst ones, but i think they can be expensive and you also have to read the inactive ingredients because some have thimerisol in them.
from the health food store you can pick up garlic/mullein/olive oil drops...but recently i made some drops with glycerin, grapefruit seed extract and tea tree oil and added some of the garlic oil and found this combo much more effective (and less oily).
lavender oil rubbed behind the ear, anti-inflammatories and moist heat help too.
sending lots of healing thoughts your way Posts: 1563 | From MA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Middle ear infection or otitis media is usually caused by fluid being
Retained behind the ear drum.
Usually the eustachian tube provides a natural drainage for this fluid.
Sometimes there is difficulty with drainage such as blockage of eustachian tube by enlarged lymph nodes and such.
I would use antibiotics. The middle ear is a breeding ground for infections
Such as spinal meningitis, etc.
As the middle and inner ear sits next to and in the brain,
It is very easy for an infection to travel that very short distance and cause infections of
The mastoid process (bone behind the ear) or even the brain.
I have been a speech pathologist for over 17 years.
In my very humble opinion, I would take the antibiotics
And use the homeopathic remedies for pain relief, etc.
BTW, a shot of rocephin is usually what is used in significant infection of the ear.
Hope you are feeling better soon.
I would add in some lymphatic massage to possible help the eustachian tube to drain.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Back in the stone age when every kid on earth was getting tubes put in their ears I got this tip from another mom and it worked fine for my son:
Get some 99.9% pure aloe vera gel. Warm a little bit carefully in the microwave--takes but a sec--and then put some (after testing on your skin to make sure it's not too hot) in the ear canal. Plug with a little bit of cotton. Do it for several nights.
I do agree ear infections can be serious and you with your Lyme + are probably at risk for complications but the aloe vera gel might help relieve the pain.
The gel used to come in tubes and was quite easy to find way back when. Can't advise now as I haven't looked for it for a long time.
Hoping you're better soon!
Posts: 422 | From Luck home | Registered: Sep 2005
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