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Ears clogged. Nitrofurantoin?
As background, I had prostate surgery about one month ago. A couple of weeks later I developed a urinary tract infection. Urologist prescribed nitrofurantoin for the infection. Immediatedly after starting the antibiotic my ears gradually starting feeling clogged. Now, two weeks later, they are both very clogged (no wax buildup) and I can barely hear. Logic tells me the ear clogging is somehow connected to the nitrofurantoin. Has anyone ever experienced this or heard of this happening? Will this clogging go away by itself? I can't begin to figure out the causes/effects here, but this condition is driving me crazy. An anyone help with suggestions?
Thank you for your help. Didn't really think it was the antibiotic doing this, but couldn't help obsessing over the coincidence.
I went to an audiologist for hearing testing and an otologist last week. He prescribed steroids for a week and then I am returning tomorrow for evaluation. He could find no cause for the hearing loss last week, so he mentioned is could be sudden hearing loss. Tomorrow he will probably try the injection of steroids into the ear. I hope that works because this is driving me nuts!
I went to an audiologist for hearing testing and an otologist last week. He prescribed steroids for a week and then I am returning tomorrow for evaluation. He could find no cause for the hearing loss last week, so he mentioned is could be sudden hearing loss. Tomorrow he will probably try the injection of steroids into the ear. I hope that works because this is driving me nuts!
2 Comments
I have just got to 3 days on nitrofurantoin for uti, dizziness and headache got too bad as side effects. And now I'm losing my hearing too, no wax. It's inside and pain all over my face. Still dizzy, hearing been getting worse all day. Very quick. It's definitely the nitrofurantoin. I wondered as it says it can swell the salivary glands, cause sore throats and constant cold if it's to do with thst or a part of the nerve damage side effect? Did it resolve for you?
I am experiencing this right now, did your ears clear up?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello and hope you are doing well.
Your symptoms are unlikely to be due to the medication. There are tubes called 'Eustachian tubes' which connect the middle ear to the throat, this balances the air pressure in the ears. This tube can get blocked due to infections of the throat, which can give lead to a feeling of fullness in the ears. This can also result in infection of the ears. The blocked ears can be opened up by the valsalva maneuver, where air is blown into the cheeks against a closed nostrils, this sometimes helps to open up the tubes. Steam inhalations and warm salt water gargles can help clear the tube. Please consult your family physician.
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
Your symptoms are unlikely to be due to the medication. There are tubes called 'Eustachian tubes' which connect the middle ear to the throat, this balances the air pressure in the ears. This tube can get blocked due to infections of the throat, which can give lead to a feeling of fullness in the ears. This can also result in infection of the ears. The blocked ears can be opened up by the valsalva maneuver, where air is blown into the cheeks against a closed nostrils, this sometimes helps to open up the tubes. Steam inhalations and warm salt water gargles can help clear the tube. Please consult your family physician.
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
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