Ear Infection HELP!!

[hlp76]

On Monday morning I woke with an ear infection. I went to the doctor right away and was given Otic Edge, told to continue an antibiotic I was already on, to call if it wasn't felling better in a couple of days, and to schedule a recheck for a week later. Thursday, my ear still felt plugged, I was getting sharp pains, and ringing so I went back to the doctor. He said that there is alot of drainage in there and it kinda looked like swimmer's ear. He also said he wasn't able to see my eardrum because there was so much drainage. He put me on Ciprodex. Here I am, 5 days after all of this started, and my ear is still plugged!!! I don't expect miracles, but I was hoping the new drop would do something. I can't hear out of my ear, I keep getting shooting pains, it is beyond uncomfortable when my 15 month old screams, and I'm tired of this!!!

At this point it feels like my ear is plugged, not need to pop. Is there anything I can do to unplug my ear??? I tried hydrogen peroxide a couple of times...it bubbled but nothing came out. I tried ear candling, and it didn't seem to help. I am desperate at this point!!!! HELP!!!!

[tschock]

Sounds like you have that nasty viral infection that was going around here a few months ago.
If it's that, then the antibiotics won't help...they don't work on viral infections.

Have you tired decongestants? Sinus rinses sometimes help.
How about allergy sprays like Claritin? Worth a try I think.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. But please don't do things that can further damage your ear. Ear candles have no proven benefit in the removal of earwax or other objects in the ear and can cause serious injury. Gently rinse the ear using a bulb syringe and warm saline solution. To ease ear pain, apply a warm washcloth or a heating pad set on low. Follow the instructions for ear drops and complete your antibiotic course. You can use OTC Acetaminophen also for relief from pain.

However, if symptoms worsen, consult your doctor.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.