Possible 'mastoiditis' - Please Help!

I was diagnosed with Strep 2 1/2 weeks ago, at the time I went in to be seen, I asked the doctor to also chack my left ear, he said it did not look infected, but there did appear to be some pressure there. He gave me antibiotics (Augmentin) for 10 days. My throat began feeling better, but my sinuses got bad my chest started hurting, I figured it spread as it happened in the past i figured the antibiotics would help, then last Thursday my left ear began hurting rather badly - by Friday the pain was quite extensive, so I went to the doctor. He said my ear canal had swollen shut and he could not tell me about my ear drum because he coulndn't see anything. He gave me steriod shotput me on 5 day z-pack,gave me ear drops, cough syrup to help with the pain and presure (hydrocodone, with antihistimine, decongestant)and confirmed, I did have upper respitory & severe ostis media. By Saturday the pain was unbearable, but I dealt with it the best I could. On Sunday, I was miserable,ANGRY, agony, can't close my mouth all the way, the pain is now behind my ear, between my ear & temple, down my neck and jaw, & I have never hurt this bad in my life. He gave me an antibiotic shot again yesterday, & Vicodin nothing helps though. My ear is so swollen the drops don't go in,I can't sleep eat concentrate. I am in intense pain, all he can tell me now is that I may have a very serious infection. I am to go to the ER if not better or I get worse by tomorrow. What could this be, and how can I relieve the pain. I hurt so bad I think I am going crazy! Posted already with little response. HELP PLEASE!!

[Demiguise]

You need to call ofc. & ask for an order sheet ASAP (nice but
try for today). You need a 'Coronal CT' of the sinuses. This
is a type CT that you are on your stomache & enter unit 'nose'
in w/ chin in a rest. Any other type sinus ct will not give the
detail you need. If had already, get a copy of report for Hm-
health file. The Amox. should've helped but I think doc isn't
doing what is necessary. Scroll dwn to 8/26 'Sinus problems w/
Mastoiditis'. I'm not sure they've read my posts or not taking
situation serious, but I hope some info can help you. After the
CT, you may also request an ear-culture. If eye lid starts to
swell, it's causing nerve inflammation. You're are describing a
plexus-system that appears to be getting out of control. I
agree w/ Otitis Media but sounds like it's gone further. ENT or
reg. doc can give you the order slip. I'll try to help you sift
through the run-around. Let us know how you do.

[Newvahner]

I did see your other post - and was hoping you would be the one to reply to mine. I have an appointment with an ENT tomorrow. My doctor wants me to go to the hospital (ER) at this point because he is afraid that this is out of control. He is just general family practice, but pretty sure mastoiditis is what I have now, and that the infection is in the mastoid bone? and spreading rapidly into my neck and jaw. As of now the redness has spread from behind my ear to about half-way down my neck. Even though I have appt. tomorrow, I am still calling around trying to find someone to take me seriously enough to see me quickly, without having to go into the hospital. I had one ENT tell me that since I have now taken 3 full courses of antibiotics in the last 2 1/2 weeks and still have any infection indicates I should be hospitalized, and another on the Contrary says that mastoiditis is resistant to many antibiotics, including all penicillan related ones, (which includes the augmentin I took for the strep to begin with)and that he can treat me for mastoiditis, if that is what I in fact have, in his office, with another, much more aggressive and longer course of antibiotics. I just don't know. So much of what i've read talks about surgery, also all the possible complications , but nothing about the pain, timeframe for progression, etc. etc. I'll see what happens tomorrow, but until then, does anyone have any information to help me with the pain! I am very concerned with all the research I have done - and not sure of what I really should do at this point. My doctor wants me in the ER, so that I can get a CAT scan ASAP, without waiting. I am just hoping someone is familiar enough with this thing to give me advice, and until I can get back to the doctor, help me with the pain. Vicodin, Codiene, Tylenol, advil, the different ear drops, NOTHING has helped and it seems to get worse every minute now, and I didn't think it was possible to hurt this bad let alone worse. Sorry if I am rambling, or if this goes back and forth too much, I cant concentrate on what I am trying to say very well and this whole thing has also caused me to lose my mind, I hurt so bad not much i say or do makes sense. Thanks for any advice, and I will let you know what happens as it does. in the meantime - again, any ideas on easing the pain??? Thanks Again!!!!!!!!

[Newvahner]

My Family doc is the one who wants me to go to the ER. He does not have a problem calling hospital - as he does want me to get a CAT scan. because this started as Strep (the sinuses were infected when the Strep was diagnosed but got worse after antibiotics) and he treated me for that with the Augmentin, when i went in exactly 2 weeks after i was first seen for the strep(which was Friday) that is when it became ovious that although i had strep before, it seemed to be gone but the uri was worse as were the sinuses, also what looked like a little pressure behind the eardrum two weeks ago was now something way out of hand, and because my ear canal is swollen shut he has no idea how bad that is. So on Friday he gave me the z-pac, antihist. decongest. meclizine and ear drops. while my sinuses seem to be getting better, and the uri is getting better too, by Monday the ear thing is REALLY BAD.  so i go back again monday this time he gives me a shot - makes sure that it covers the the mastoiditis. he tells me that he can do nothing else for me at his point, that he is afraid that I may have this infection  (mastoiditis) but he is not sure. he can see the other problems are either resolved or healing (strep, uri, sinuses) but the ear infection now seems to be spreading. the swelling is behind my ear, partially down my neck beside my ear from the temple area almost to my chin, the jaw line is tender, and the lymph node in that side of my neck is huge. although it hurts to open my mouth and move the pain is in my ear, and or around it. he worries that the ear drops won't go in because of the swelling and that if the mastoid is infected by the time the swelling goes down it may be too late and the infection may spread too far. he is hoping that the latest antibiotics will work, the sweeling will go down so i can get the antibiotic drop inside my ears, and treating both ends that will be the end of it. however this was monday, he made it clear that if i had not gotten any better by wed morning or i got any worse at ANY time - i was to go straight to the ER and ask for a cat scan and explain the situation, I am the one trying to see if this can be handled by an ENT and get different opinion, I trust my doctor, he is great, but not equipped to handle this particular thing mastoiditis, i believe he is right in the diagnoses which he is just assuming admitedly w/o a cat scan, but he admits he doesn't know all the consequences of mastoiditis- all the risks, the rate of spread etc, he is not an ENT, he is familar with it enough to want me in the hospital to be treated, he doesn't want me to go to an ent, i am just not sure. like i said i have heard so many contradicting stuff about this i do not know what to do. but, i know i need to be treated i just don't know the best way to go about it. i live north of houston and have access to some of the best medical facilities in the country, but the ones my insurance allows me to go to are jsut regular hospitals! I haven't gotten any better since Monday. I have no hearing in my left ear at all, i have a ringing sometimes, ALOT of pain, the swelling seems about the same as yesterday, but hte redness seems to have spread a bit. the pain is already so bad i am not sure i would even know if it got worse cause it hurts so bad already. i haven't really slept or eaten since saturday, though i have done protien shakes cause i know i have to get something in me. I am willing to do whatever i must to get rid of this, i have my children (3 & 8) at home with me and i hate to say this but the pain is so bad i can't stand to be in the room with them right now, and i love them but his pain is really making me crazy and i just want help. i am trying to find out all I can as quick as possible because i am expected to get treatment tomorrow if not better and i want the best answers i can get before i do! Thanks again for listening! All help is appreciated! Hope i made a little sense! thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!

[Demiguise]

I have personally been where you're at & in your shoes. It
sounds like you've had no CT? Are you in US & can Dr. call
hospital ahead to have info if a Coronal can be done? Not all
places do or have equip. to do that type. Is it ENT or family
doc telling you to go? If hospital does Coronal, they can send
report to Dr. by Fax w/ info. Pack a tote just in case. My
guess is that they will evaluate & possibly put you on a IV
as an out-patient. What is your age & do you have support/help
from someone. Do you mind sharing State you're in? Some places
are more familiar to me w/ care. 'itis' simply means general
pain/inflamm. of a site. You need antibiotics to keep further
problems happening & hospital IV may be it. The Vicodin should
have helped so that means the pain/pressure is doing an over-
ride effect. The Coronal will also show if antibiotics are
doing anything. I'm more concerned abt the infection to your
other sinuses & nerve response. Since your face is swelling it
may just be a need to be aggressive now so more problems don't
show up. Don't know your time zone so maybe that's reason Dr.
can't call over/fax request to a local imaging lab. If Dr. won't
comply then go to hospital & also ask them to contact your MD.
Without that scan, you don't know extent or if a direct IV will
be needed. I'll ck. back. Stay positive & don't go thinking
your brain is getting attack. It needs to be evaluated to fix.
Not all things like this result in surgeries if found/accessed.
It may be a polyp in a sinus that is causing problem of the
back-up of infection. Get busy ASAP. I can help you understand
the report copy once done. I'll ck. back.

[Demiguise]

I'm lost! You have appt w/ your MD at his ofc? You have appt
at ER for CT? This is a serious problem & shortest distance to
resolution is a CORONAL CT, not a basic face-up CT. They have imaging labs all over your area where your doc can call in an
order as a work-in appt for a scan & radiologist can fax results back to him. He can then call a colleague who would be
an Otolaryngolist on staff or nearby for you to hand carry
report & films for quick evaluation at ofc or at hospital that
'he's on staff at' for fol-up meds/IV or different scan. There
are basic ENT's & then there are Otolaryngologist Surgeons. You
also need bloodwk. I'll be more specific, the mastoiditis is the
least of your problem from what you have explained. You're ear
& possible hearing may be compremised. You may have a maxillary
condition w/o knowing. You may have MEE (middle ear effusion) or
a number of things. Your ear closed up to the point the Dr.
can't see in. He's not a great Doc. This is not his field & just
keep whatever appt to get the fastest 'correct scan'. The ear
must be looked at by an ear Dr. eventually. Each day you may be
worse off. Your MD may have given mastoiditis as dx's & calling
ofc's may be discussing a mis-dx's. If instrument can't get in to see into tympanic window, they may have to open canal to
drain. Phoning around won't help. You have options. Just get a
scan anywhere/anyplace so they know what you have. Your doc has
colleagues around town to call. Why didn't he refer you? I wish
you well. Let us know your outcome.