Ear infection

[Lindsay473]

I developed a bad headache on my way driving for a weekend away.  I thought it was just one of my migraines so carried on driving.  This developed into dizzy spells which isn't a nice experience when you're driving.  This was in May 2007.  Once back home I went to my doctor and he diagnosed an inner ear infection causing the dizziness and it would go away in time.  However eleven months down the line it is still there.  On a daily basis I feel lightheaded.  This can vary from feeling slightly lightheaded and able to carry on with life to feeling dizzy and completely housebound.  I have to be very careful not to over do things or it makes my condition worse (e.g I need a lie down after the hoovering).  The experts say to keep active which I try and do but the movement of walking tends to make me feel worse.  I am currently waiting to see a specialist for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to help with depression and panic attacks which I sometimes get when shopping but that could be quite a wait.  Everytime I go out I get very anxious that I could feel dizzy.  I am really struggling to carry on in this state.  I work full time and unfortunately don't have the luxury of giving up my job.  I also think if I gave up my job I would be stuck at home and sink deeper into depression and I enjoy my job.  Are there any suggestions that I could be doing to get over this quicker.  The longer I'm like this the more I think it will always be like this.  I feel my life is on hold at the moment and am willing to try anything to make myself feel better.    

[Lindsay473]

I will go back and try the eardrops and see if they make any difference.

Many thanks for your help

[penelope220]

yeah, actually it's an eardrops for earwax.:)  the last ENT that i went to had DEBROX in the room.  he was against me using it bec. i suggested to him that maybe i should use DEBROX.  actually i tried different brands first then DEBROX.  it's an over the counter. i'm very sure that the build up that i had were a mixture of wax,hairspray,perfume and mucus.  plus my first experiment of coloring my hair.:)  i remember when i rinsed my long hair the whole mixture went inside my ears.  i didn't have ear plugs.  i did clean it with Qtips afterwards.   the build up that i had was like a thick and a very hard glue or cement.  i even went to the extreme of poking it w/ needle for the drops to absorb.  

you know though, i almost thought that i was having Alzheimer bec. i was always disoriented and couldn't remember a thing.  

hope the drops will help.  my prayers are with you and to others too.

[Lindsay473]

I went to the chemist yesterday but they can only give me eardrops over the counter that clears earwax.  Otherwise I have to see my own doctor.  I can imagine what he will say.  I honestly think they would prefer me to go away and wait to get better rather than bother them with something so trivial.

You sound like you've been through a bit of an ordeal.  I'm glad things have improved for you although it's taken a while.

[penelope220]

when i first used the drops i didn't feel anything.  but when it touched my outside skin it really hurt and kind of burned it.  that's when i figured out that i probably had a thick build up so i gave it another try.  anyway, i had really a bad vertigo at that time so i just lie down w/ the drops in my ears.  as soon as i felt some kind of bubbles and white foams coming out of my left ear (of w/c i thought were from my brain):)  i soon realized that there's something in there.  i thought at first that they were from the medications that i had taken.  

i went to all that exercise and mostly walking w/ a cane but it didn't help me bec. i get dizzy.  i went to all that depression and panics too but never went to a therapist.  what scared me too was i was hearing my heartbeat.  i quit my job and couldn't drive.  this was in 2000.  the first vertigo attack was in 1995 then the worst was in 2000.  previously the doctors would prescribed me w/ allergy pills and antibiotics.  the place where we used to live was sorrounded w/ trees that's really bad for allergy sufferers.  i had been to 11 doctors bec. they would just stay for a couple of years then moved out.  i had runny nose, plugged up or swollen ears, swollen throat, blocked nose, sneezing, sinus pressures, headaches, migraines.  to sum it up my whole head was not working right really.  i had allergy test and found out that i was allergic to almost everything.  i'm also allergic to smoke and perfumes.  when i smell one it would closed up my sinusis.

my problem started in 1980 and it's a long story.  i had been on medications, antibiotics, steroids.  my body can't tolerate strong dosage of prescription pills so i ended up feeling like a zombie.  

i have not have vertigo at all and i'm back to work and can drive myself too.  so  give it a try and just be patient.  if u live in the States u can find Debrox.  i tried the other brands first but this one really worked for me.  i don't know why.  u can find the cheapest one at Drugmart.  there's a $5 difference.  i'm just trying to help.  God bless!!

[Lindsay473]

Thanks for your suggestion.  I did have some eardrops from the herbalist but that didn't seem to make any difference.  Maybe I should have given it more time.  I will go to the chemist and see if i can find any suitable eardrops and give it another go

[penelope220]

you probably have  build up in your ear.  try ear drops and see what happens.  i would recommend an otc DEBROX if it's available.  if not try any brands.  hope you feel better.