posted
I have been dea;ing with ear fullness as well as neck pain and headache for the last 3 weeks. I suspect that this could be tmj related but I am not sure. My LLMD have me stronger abx for a posisble ear infection. When that did not work he gave me some ear drops but that also did not help. Now he wants to give me steroids for couple of days to see if that help.
I asked he if that was a good idea given all the stuff I hear about Lymes and steroids use. He told me it would be ok since it is only for a few days. I am scared to take them but I am desperate here. This ear issue is driving me nuts. Not sure what to do....
Posts: 324 | From Philly | Registered: Jun 2010
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Pinelady
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posted
Sweet oil relieved all my ear problems. Started them draining with all kinds of yucky stuff in throat, got rid of the fullness and pain.
If it don't work you can still do what you feel is best.
For the neck pain you can try rubbing lemon on it. It worked for me.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
Pinelady - Ones on Sweet Oil how long before getting better?
What do you mean when you say "Started them draining with all kinds of yucky stuff in throat"
Posts: 324 | From Philly | Registered: Jun 2010
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Keebler
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- If this is your LLMD and IF that LLMD is well educated in all matteres of lyme and you are covered with anti-microbial meds, maybe it will help if guided by his expertise.
First, to be sure all the causes are considered, have you done all this:
* Reviewed all Rx and OTC products to be sure you are not taking ototoxic meds? If so, and if they are required, do you have appropriate liver support to help mitigate that?
* Gluten-free, diary-free (casein-free), soy-free and corn-free diet?
* Gone "scent-free" with all household and personal care products?
* Olive leaf extract? Allicin? Ginger capsules? These often help with ears.
* Used a Neti Pot for sinus irrigation? That also helps ears.
* Evaluated your environment for mold and mildew exposure?
* Is your Liver Support tip-top? A stressed liver will cause full ears.
posted
Evaluated your environment for mold and mildew exposure?
Oh no...I did notice my shower is getting some mold...has been on my list to get is fix. Need to move that to top of the list
Posts: 324 | From Philly | Registered: Jun 2010
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Keebler
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- Get a new shower head, too. THAT is really important. I have to stop now but can offer reasons why later.
The TInnitus thread offers details on many of the things listed. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses
16th edition, Copyright October, 2008
Joseph J. Burrascano
Excerpts:
P. 4:
. . . More severe illness also results from other causes of weakened defenses, such as from severe stress, immunosuppressant medications, and severe intercurrent illnesses.
This is why steroids and other immunosuppressive medications are absolutely contraindicated in Lyme. This also includes intraarticular steroids. . . .
From page 12:
. . . More evidence has accumulated indicating the severe detrimental effects of the concurrent use of immunosuppressants including steroids in the patient with active B. burgdorferi infection.
Never give steroids or any other immunosuppressant to any patient who may even remotely be suffering from Lyme, or serious, permanent damage may result, especially if given for anything greater than a short course.
If immunosuppressive therapy is absolutely necessary, then potent antibiotic treatment should begin at least 48 hours prior to the immunosuppressants. . . .
Page 20:
. . . and absolutely no immunosuppressants, even local doses of steroids (intra-articular injections, for example). . . .
. . . "Steroid Disaster" is a term coined by the pioneer of Lyme Treatment . . .
Corticosteroids are immune suppressants, the last thing a Lyme patient needs is to lower immunity.
Can you imagine, your body trying hard to fight off the spirochete bacteria and suddenly and immunosuppressants is introduced, "freezing" your immune system, rendering it unable to battle, giving great advantage now to the Lyme bacteria to spread and go wherever it wants .
Corticosteroids can last in the body for months, usually around 6 months. In many bacterial infections such as LD, damage can be done.
Many Lyme patients (such as myself) triggered LD with cortisone shots, pills, inhalers, etc. I can tell you, it is a nightmare I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
It is imperative to NEVER take corticosteroid for pain if you know you have a bacterial infection.
Some bacterial infections are so severe that a shot of cortisone could kill you, although that would be unlikely with Lyme, but rule of thumb, bacterial infections and immunosuppressants do not mix! . . .
. . . Dr. Burrascano makes it clear in his treatment guidelines that steroid treatment is detrimental, these are excerpts from his guidelines:
"More evidence has accumulated indicating the severe detrimental effects of the concurrent use of immunosuppressants including steroids in the patient with active B. burgdorferi infection.
Never give steroids or any other immunosuppressant to any patient who may even remotely be suffering from Lyme, or serious, permanent damage may result, especially if given for anything greater than a short course.
If immunosuppressive therapy is absolutely necessary, then potent antibiotic treatment should begin at least 48 hours prior to the immunosuppressants.
The severity of the clinical illness is directly proportional to the spirochete load, the duration of infection, and the presence of co-infections. These factors also are proportional to the intensity and duration of treatment needed for recovery.
More severe illness also results from other causes of weakened defenses, such as from severe stress, immunosuppressants medications, and severe intercurrent illnesses.
This is why steroids and other immunosuppressants medications are absolutely contraindicated in Lyme. This also includes intra-articular steroids."
An easy explanation. Your immune system are the "soldiers" of your body constantly standing by to attack any foreign invader.
When an immunosuppressant is used, it is like killing off or knocking out most of your "soldiers", now your body is open to all foreign invasion and while your immune system is knocked out, those invaders can go anywhere, your heart, liver, brain - everywhere.
- full article at link above. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- Has everyone changed their shower head recently? I sure noticed a difference when I changed mine.
Also clear the drains of moldy slime. The only thing I've found to really work to get the slime and gunk out is chlorine bleach, diluted - with windows opens for a good air-out. Then, avoid "milky" soaps that gum up the drains and cause mold to grow. Go for clear soaps and gels.
. . . Leah Feazel, who led the three-year study, says 30 per cent of the shower heads studied housed significant levels of a micro-organism linked to lung disease. . . .
. . . mycobacterium avium in a significant number of shower heads. Mycobacterium avium can cause tuberculosis-like disease in people who are immune compromised.
"If you are prone to infections, so if you have an immune disease of some sort, which is HIV or AIDS or cystic fibrosis, or if you're on immune-suppressing drugs then yes, you are at risk in the shower," she continued.
"If you're a healthy person with a healthy immune system, you don't need to worry at all. You've been showering every day of your whole life and you haven't been sick."
And Ms Feazel says cleaning the shower heads does not reduce the amount of bacteria.
"We tested bleaching shower heads and we actually found that we had more of the mycobacteria after bleaching than we did before," she said. . . .
. . . The researchers sampled shower heads in cities across the United States, including Manhattan, Memphis and Chicago. Ms Feazel says there were nine cities in seven states, and 45 shower head sites. . . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- OLE, Ginger capsules and Allicin all clear my ears.
Chinese mustard, too. A tiny bit of wasabi (a hot condiment used with Japanese food) will do a number to get the juices flowing and remove stagnation.
Turmeric (or the stronger extract, Curcumin) is a good help to lower inflammation as well.
Magnesium and FIsh Oil, too. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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janet thomas
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posted
Before I had Lyme I had an ear infection that abx wasn't helping. So I was given 5 days of prednisone.
A few weeks later I became horribly ill with a mystery illness that took many years to diagnose, Lyme.
My guess is my immune system was keeping Lyme in check but the steroids gave it free rein.
Have you tried sudafed?
-------------------- I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice but only my personal experience and opinion. Posts: 2001 | From NJ | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
this was my first symptom - ear fullness, neck pain, and headache. I also had ear pain. 2 years later, I am still dealing with it, but I just started treating lyme a month ago. I pray everyday for the ear fullness to go away - it is so very bothersome!! I do have days where it feels much better. I think mine has to do with inflammation which blocks the eustachian tube when it is flaring.
Since you are not really taking probiotics, could it be a yeast problem? I noticed when I took 3 days of diflucan, my ear cleared right up!
Posts: 618 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2009
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Keebler
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- jwall has an excellent point and quick eyes.
Why are you not taking probiotics?
Candida - and all kinds of yeast - really like the ears and fullness is one sign of that.
Probiotics are a necessary part of any antibiotic treatment to help keep fungal infections at bay. Take away from both Rx and from all supplements, though.
OLE and Allicin can help against fungal infections, too, but are not enough. Probiotics are also necessary - taken at least a couple hours away from probiotics, though. OLE and Allicin can totally negate probiotics and that would be good money wasted.
That mold in your shower is also very likely to be causing &/or contributing to the ear troubles. When that is addressed, you will also need to clean the room and any air vents that may be there. I hope you can have someone take care of that in a professional manner.
If that happens to be a particular strain of BLACK mold, it is of extreme urgency and professional help would be needed. But most bathrooms have various kinds of mold in the tiles. They might need to be removed for work to be done behind them, often. Re-grouting is usually not enough - but it may be if done well and let to dry completely.
This may be a lot of work but it's extremely important.
Good luck. -
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Keebler
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Keebler - thanks for all the info...why not probiotics? because I am stupid :-(
As far as the mold, I think it is just your standard bathroom mold. I was thinking og changin the shower and putting in one of those all in one units. How would I know if this is Black mold you speak of. I thought all mold was black
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Pinelady
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Mine did not start till I started soaking every day. As soon as I felt pressure I started drops in them. But a few times the pain hit hard and fast.
It usually started at night. It was immediate relief, but A couple of days for me to start draining.
It feels like it becomes unplugged and healing, and as you swallow you can feel it in your throat. May reduce swelling? But Very relieving.
Borrelia love the ears. And all you need is 2-3 drops in each ear.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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Keebler
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posted
- * good germs. Ohh . . . I'm sorry if the question sounded accusatory. I guess I wondered if it was due to some reason. Some people want dairy-free probiotics, etc. I did not intend to offend.
* ear drops. The Tinnitus thread has links to a couple different kinds of ear drops - some with sweet oil (garlic, olive oil), etc.
* bad mold. Google the site for American Lung Association. See what they have to say about mold and mold remediation.
There is one particular strain of black mold that you need professional to remove. It's pronounced "Stacky Bottrus" but it has a far different spelling than that. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Carol in PA
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posted
At one point I had blocked ears. A decongestant would clear things up for a bit, and then it would come back.
I was having such severe overall head pain. If that's what children feel like when they have ear infections, I can see why they're so miserable.
Someone told me about using steroids for this. I went to my doctor and pointed out that I had been fooling with this problem for five months, and now I could not hear.
He prescribe a course of steroids, can't remember the name of this...it started with a large dose and tapered down over five or six days.
Wow. My ears cleared up. My continuous headaches stopped. The aches and pains and creaky joints all got better.
I took it first thing in the morning, as it can cause insomnia. By the end it was bothering my stomach so much that I skipped the last dose.
I now realize that I had Lyme back then, although I didn't know it. The treatment didn't make my condition any worse, thank goodness.
My ears haven't bothered me at all since then.
Carol
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