fungal ear infection

[mc1124]

I was diagnosed with a fungal ear infection (tropical ear) today - I have had repeatedly dealt with 'swimmers ear' over the past 3 years, sometimes as often as 3 times per year.  I have had severe pain in the affected ear, as well as pain in the temple on the affected side.  Starting 2 days ago, the lymph node behind that ear (which has been swollen since Nov. 07) became extremely painful.  It's like having cramps in the side of your neck at times.  My ENT prescribed ZOTO-HC OTIC SOL.  My question:  Is or has anyone else dealt with this type of infection - and how long does the pain last?  I have been in pain since New Year's Eve, and used three different types of drops, along with Zithromax.  The only thing that seems to help is piggy-backing Aleve and Ibuprofen (2 Aleve, 2 Ibuprofen three hours later - repeating evey 6 six hours).  I know that is twice the recommended amount of Aleve you should take in a day, and you shouldn't combine the two - but I am at my wits end - I have to be able to function to work and take care of my kids!  Tylenol is useless.  Any suggestions??

[elly155]

my daughter was diagnosed with swimmers ear 3 yrs ago when pregnant.she has suffered about 8 attacks, and is currently suffering with her worst attack yet. drops and antibiotics have made it worse, she is having swabs done tomorrow. the pain is unbearable and she is living on paramol and ibuprofen.hope ur problem is now resolved
x

[jr1979]

I have also suffered the same since the eight month of my pregnancy almost 3 years ago.  After several different types of drops and medications, I still have regular occurrences.  I won't take the drops anymore because they seem to always make it worse.  In fact, twice, the drops have caused a build-up on both of my ear drums leaving me deaf in both ears.  My ENT doc thought it might have been due to diabetes, but my tests came back clear of that.  I wish I had suggestions, but for now I share your pain.  

[mc1124]

Ever since they packed my ear canal with an antifugal dye, and antifungal cream for 5 days, I have been pain free.  I do keep the ear very dry using ear putty when I shower, and I always use a Q-tip to make sure the ear canal is dry, just in case some moisture made it through.  Good luck

[jr1979]

I've had that antifungal purple stuff in my ears for 3 visits in a row, 10 days apart, just within the last month.  And I'm still in pain.  The infections in both ears keep jumping from fungal to bacterial, and back, and the dr's are confused.  Meanwhile, I sit in pain with poor sleep quality and it's taking its tole on me.  I have been putting cotton in my ears while I shower, and using q-tips afterwards just in case, but nothing seems to help.

[Kym13]

I think I am suffering from th same thing. It started 3 months ago and the doctor prescribe drops but they made it worst and im still suffering. I cant sleep, cant hear and now I am losing co-ordination on the left side wher everything I hold falls.

Please if someone can help becasue my doctors cant.

[jbtalker]

I had a horrible bout with what I thought was an ear infection. My family physician said I had a build up of wax in my ear and flushed my ear repeatedly. He also gave me a prescription of antibiotics. This was Christmas Eve morning.  By Christmas night my ear felt like it was swollen shut. I couldn't hear and I was in agonizing pain.  The next day I went to an emergency clinic because my doctors office was closed for the holiday. The emergency doctor said I had just scratched my ear canal and it had a bacterial infection so he gave me antibacterial drops.  I had difficulty even getting the drops into my ear because it was so swollen.  Within a couple of days the pain was unbearable. My equilibrium was so off I was continually feeling nauseous.  I finally got in with an ENT after New Years.  He said I had a bad fungus that was clogging up my ear and pressing against my eardrum.  He took me by the shoulders and said "NEVER! NEVER! EVER! Let anyone flush your ear.  That is the worst thing the doc could have done.  Furthermore he said that taking antibiotics just allowed the fungus to thrive.  He explained there is a delicate balance with the ear canal of bacteria and fungus. The strong antibiotic combined with the drops killed the bacteria and the fungus went wild.  He aspirated my ear and extracted this huge gross hunk of fungus which almost made me lose my lunch, but instantly the pain subsided and I could hear.  The ENT also instructed me to always protect my ears when taking a shower.  He suggested putting a piece of cotton and then a layer of vaseline on top to seal it. It's a hassle but so far it has worked well.  My sympathy to all of you.  Good health!  Keep those ears dry.

[Fromonetofour]

KIM  WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN TO THE ENT  FOR 6 VISITS  AND  IT  KEEPS ON COMING BACK LIKE THE ENERGIZER BATTERIE???  THAT'S WHAT  GOING ON W/ME' I'D LIKE A DR TO ANWSER ONE OF MY POST. A SIMPLE INFECTION IS COSTING ME ' MONEY PAIN ETC... I CAN DEAL WITH IT , I JUST WANT IT OVER... I LOVE MY ENT