posted
Hello. A few hour ago, my left ear started to feel clogged.
Thinking I might have some wax build up, I put some peroxide in the ear and relaxed on my side for about 20 minutes.
I didn't hear any of the popping and fizzing you usually hear when peroxide breaks up wax.
After draining the peroxide back out, my ear felt no better.
Now, it appears as though the ear is a bit swollen - - - as if the hole is a teeny bit swollen shut.
I actually have a doctor appointment late afternoon tomorrow, so that's good.
But, from what I've read, if this happens to be an infection, they are often treated with drops that are part antibiotic / part steroid.
What do I do if this is the case, and it's an infection? Are there other methods of treatment that don't utilize steroids?
I figured I'd ask for some advice in advance of the appointment to be better prepared.
I'm a little nervous because I've never had this before. No idea what's going on, but the thought of my ear swelling shut is kicking up the anxiety.
Any suggestions or experience with this?
Thanks so much!
Posts: 711 | From Bucks County, PA | Registered: Apr 2008
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dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
jwick, sorry to hear about your ear. Many with Lyme have ear issues with a feeling of fullness or fluid in our ears at times. ( and many other ear symptoms as well )
Your doc will probably be able to examine your canal to make sure there is nothing going on physically in the outer or middle ear.
How is your hearing? The only time I have heard of steroids being used is with sudden, severe hearing loss. This is what happened to me in early 2011 before I knew I had Lyme.
Are you taking antibiotics? If you have an ear infection, the antibiotics are likely going to help zap whatever bacteria is in there. Try not to worry. Wait and see what your LLMD has to say. Good luck!
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Do you hear yourself talk or breathe? The ear feels clogged also. If so I have this and it has been plaguing me since November.
At first it was only the right ear and it happened occasionally. This summer it ramped up to both ears all day.
I found relief by laying flat or putting my heads between my legs.
Went to the ENT. I knew they wouldn't find anything but figured LLMD would ask. I was right and they didn't find anything and and diagnosed me with "Eustachian Tube Disorder" . LLMD did see something though. He saw fluid behind the ear drum.
Recently, I was on Cipro for 3 days and had a 3 glorious ear clog-free days. After, it went back to clogged until 10 days later, and so far I have been clog free for 2 days.
Had to stop abx because we think I have major detox issues. Hopefully my clog free existence will continue.
It is extremely annoying.
Posts: 832 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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My hearing is a little muffled, but I can hear myself talking, breathing, etc.
I'm only on Fluconazole at the moment for a candida overgrowth. I've been on it once before and never had any issues.
I'm glad to read that steroids are not always needed. I have no pain, so maybe there is no infection to worry about.
I'm wondering if something bit me in the ear? Creepy, but you never know.
The swelling (at least what I can see) is minimal if anything. I used ice on it last night.
Anxious to hear (although muffled....lol) what the doctor will find.
It is so annoying. I was just telling my husband the other day that I would love to go even three weeks without having some kind of health issue or lousy symptom.
And I'm in remission! Ugh....it just doesn't stop.
Posts: 711 | From Bucks County, PA | Registered: Apr 2008
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