Nothing's helping my Otitis Media !?

Question

I prefer an experienced/qualified person answer me. It started out w/ a cold/sore throat/sinus problem & it's been 7 days now since my left ear's constantly buzzing (Sharp EEEEE noise) & I can't hear much w/ that ear. I've been to 2 Walk-In Doctors so far, & 1 gave me 500mg Biaxin (2x /day for 7 days) & the other 1 said it's Viral & only gave me Aspirin Cold & Sinus (200mg Ibuprofen & 60mg Pseudoephedrine). I've been using LidoSporin (AntiBiotic/Anesthetic Ear Drops), but they don't seem to be helping either. I tried LemonGrass, Ginger, Cinnamon, Green, Chai Teas & even did a HeadStand for ~5 min. I'm also using a Warm Moisture Humidifier in my room. I often get migraine type headaches & just take Extra Strength Tylenol for that. I'm gonna try Sudafed as well, but I heard that AntiHistamines dry the Ear out. I'm confused as to whether we want the inside to be Moist (Drain it Out) or Dry (Virus would Die w/o Moisture ?) Would applying heat Help or make it Worst ? Any other suggestions ?

Answer 1

Hi! I'm an Audiologist.

As you now are aware, different treatments have different degrees of effectiveness depending on the actual cause of the problem.

FIRST: If you started taking the Biaxing, continue taking it until the full course is completed, because a partial dose may not kill all the bacteria, and those remaining could become resistant to antibiotics. ALWAYS TAKE ALL ANTIBIOTICS AS PRESCRIBED.

Middle ear pathology can take 4-8 weeks to fully resolve. You have to be patient and be consistent with whatever course of treatment you and your Dr. decide upon. Most people do feel much better within the first week or two, but the pressure and hearing decrease will continue to gradually improve.

Pseudoephedrine is the generic name for Sudafed, and it is a decongestant (NOT antihistamine; it is often the decongestant combined with antihistamines that have 'D' in the name). There is actually new research that suggests that decongestants are not helpful in treating middle ear pathology. Antihistamines and nose sprays are also controversial based on the recent research.

The ear drops will only provide some pain relief ('lido' for lidocaine, a topical anesthetic) - 'sporin' usually means anti-fungal, but even if it is an antibiotic, your ear infection is behind the eardrum, so that medication is not reaching the infected area unless you have a perforation of the eardrum.

The ringing/buzzing in your ear is called tinnitus, and is mainly effect of the additional blood flow to the ear as part of the healing process, and is in effect 'magnified' by the fact that the infection is blocking sounds from getting through your ear. It should resolve along with the pressure and hearing loss. However, some people who get migraines also have tinnitus associated with them, so if you had low-level ringing before this, it should eventually get back to that level.

So here is my recommendation:
Continue antibiotic if you started taking it, and especially if you had/have fever and other signs of infection;
Continue using the humidifier, over-the-counter pain reliever and ear drops for pain, also try holding a hot water bottle against that ear (or lay that ear on it like a pillow);
If you have nasal/sinus congestion, stick with the Sudafed (decongestant);
If your nose is runny or sneezing, take an antihistamine;
Drink lots of fluids to help your body flush out infection and re-hydrate if you are taking the decongestant - hot herbal teas and soups help open up and hydrate the mucous membranes;
… and get plenty of rest!

I hope you're feeling better soon!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I'm sorry to hear about the otitis i know it sucks...trust me i've been there I'm a sufferer of chronic otitis media soo i go through this just about everytime time i get any sort of upper respiratory tract infection...the main problem is that they most likely didn't give you a strong enough antibiotic the typical prescription is Augmentum...and this is a serious problem because it can go on to deal to perforation of the eardrum. So go see an ENT...and good luck hope you feel better.

Answer 4

Here is what you need to do. Ive had this problem my whole life so I am an expert

Go to an ear doctor if you can see one quickly. If not go to the emergency room. Tell them you have taken the Biaxin and it didnt workl abnd they NEED to give you cipro! Cipro is the only thing that will knock out a treatment resistance otitis media
If you want something to make yourself feel better in the mean time grab a salad dressing bottle or some thin bottle like that and fill it up with almost boiling water. Wrap a towel around it and lay with your ear pressed against it.
Good luck and I hope you feel better!

Answer 5

Otitis Media is the proper name for an ear infection. It sounds like you have a good case of infection. Antibiotics and decongestants should help. If the ear drum is torn (perforated) severly surgery may need to be done to repair the drum, otherwise it will take some time but should resolve.

Answer 6

OK the Biaxin didn't work. You need to see and ear nose and throat doctor. I would not go back to a walk in clinic. You have had two visits with no relief. You need a stronger antibiotic possible Augmentin. All the other stuff you listed is OK if there is no infection going on . But for a ear infection you need a antibiotic to get rid of it. Good luck hope you get better soon.

Answer 7

Do not take more sudafed as your are already taking the sudafed when you take the Advil cold and sinus the doc gave you. You need to see an ENT doc and get this checked out as left untreated it can cause permanent hearing loss. I had serious ear infections/fluid in my ears as a child from the german measels and they could not get it to clear not matter what antibiotic they used or how many times they put tubes in my ears so I have been hearing impaired since childhood. Also if you think you have migraines get some help for those too.

Answer 8

It's important to say that tinnitus is a symptom and not a disease. Some people will have tinnitus because their Cochlea is damaged. And in a few, it could be caused due to hearing loss. But of course, the most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noises. The noise can be a sudden burst, or it could be a constant banging that hits the ear drum and travels inside.

A good guide you can read about tinnitus and some good natural remedies can be found here: http://tinnitus.toptips.org

Answer 9

go to a specalist.........................................