bigboybanshee Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 I got a bad ear infection in my right ear from water getting trapped in it (lots of swimming over the 4th). The doctor gave me some ear drops and pain killers for it and it's feeling better, but I've lost damn near all my hearing in my right ear. Is this normal? I really don't want to go back to the doctor's office and wait for 2.5 hours like I did last time if this is a common occurence. If anyone has any experience with ear infections and knows about the symptoms, etc. please chime in...It's driving me insane not being able to hear Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNBRAD Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 I got a bad ear infection in my right ear from water getting trapped in it (lots of swimming over the 4th). The doctor gave me some ear drops and pain killers for it and it's feeling better, but I've lost damn near all my hearing in my right ear. Is this normal? I really don't want to go back to the doctor's office and wait for 2.5 hours like I did last time if this is a common occurence. If anyone has any experience with ear infections and knows about the symptoms, etc. please chime in...It's driving me insane not being able to hear Thanks! 390048[/snapback] Yea BBB, hearing loss (temporary) is a common sign from an infected ear. Give your ear some time to heal, it may take a couple weaks for all the swelling and fluid to decrease in your middle ear. Chronic ear infections over a few years cause permanent hearing loss. I don't think you have to worry about this since this sound like your first infection. Get well soon!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigboybanshee Posted July 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Thanks man, it's not my first ear infection but it is the first to be this bad and definitely the first that's this painful. How long should my hearing be gone? I know you said it would probably be a few weeks for all the fluids to drain; is it gonna take a few weeks to regain any hearing in my ear? I just want to make sure I don't do any permanent damage to my ear by waiting too long to go back to the doctor if necessary. RNBRAD, I can't thank you enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNBRAD Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 How long have you been on antibiotics? They take time to work and kill the bacteria causing the infection. Your body then has to heal. This of course takes time. If your pain is getting better the infection must be getting better. If you continue to run high fevers, excessive ear drainage and pain, then yes I woulld go see the doctor. I would do a follow-up with your primary care physician once your medication regimen is complete. But if you feel at any time it is getting worse, then yes see a doctor sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigboybanshee Posted July 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 See, that's what bothers me...the doctor didn't give me any antibiotics, unless the ear drops he gave me have them in it. The pain is getting better, it was unbearable on Wednesday, and I went to the doctor that night. I've only been on the ear drops and pain killers for about 36 hours, but the hearing loss started late last night and has gotten worse this morning. I may not take any more pain killers today and see how the pain is...if it doesn't come on strong like before I'll just keep with the ear drops and wait for improvement. The only reason I really started freaking out this morning is because the doc said I should be getting better by the weekend, but I didn't know if losing my hearing was considered "better"...LOL Thanks again for your help, I asked my wife this morning (she's a nurse / LPN) but she doesn't have enough experience in nursing yet to really advise me on what to expect...she works with mostly post-surgery patients anyhow, not too many ear infections in there. It'll probably chap her ass to know I got the info I needed off of a banshee site; info she couldn't provide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton eyed Joe Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 It'll probably chap her ass to know I got the info I needed off of a banshee site; info she couldn't provide 390059[/snapback] This place has everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNBRAD Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 It'll probably chap her ass to know I got the info I needed off of a banshee site; info she couldn't provide That is pretty funny. Really though BBB, when an infection starts the swelling comes later as the bodies response to the infection. So yes a lot of times infections seem to get worse before they get better even after treatment starts. Also those ear drops should be the antibiotics. If you have been on it for 72hrs, you definitely need more time for it to heal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman-hott Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Listen to RN the man knows what hes talking about. I've had 2 in a 4 year period, earplugs 8 hours/day 5days/week its bound to happen, Just when you think the pain cant get any worse it will than it'll get better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketboy Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 try having TMJ (jaw joint swelling ) the painis everywhere and never goes away.. despite popping all kinds of pills and 8 doctors tell you your just fine . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman-hott Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 I think I had TMJ for the past couple weeks, if its temporary anyway. Man I couldnt get my mouth open enough to eat a big cheeseburger, or salad made with bigger leaves. But its slowly gone away and is basically gone now. Plus an ingrown toenail on the big toe, man I have been falling apart this last month I'm telling you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strokersquid Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 by the sounds of things you're being treated for otitis externa an, infection of the outer ear canal. you may have now developed an otitis media, an middle ear infection, and this does require oral antibiotics. at least call your dr he/she may call you in some antibiotics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton eyed Joe Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 try having TMJ (jaw joint swelling ) the painis everywhere and never goes away.. despite popping all kinds of pills and 8 doctors tell you your just fine . 390513[/snapback] I used to get that quite bad. I even encountered an orthodontist that said "I don't see any problem" when I DESCRIBED TMJ and that I had problems! What solved my problem with TMJ was I quit gritting my teeth when I was lifting, and I got rid of some stress that caused me to grit in the middle of the night. It got so bad at one point I slept with a corner of a blanket in my mouth to cushion my teeth against one another. Now I don't really every have problems unless I chew alot of gum...I mean I have to chew gum all day long but its never as bad as it was when I was gritting my teeth all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blk02banshee Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 I've had tons of ear infections and lost most of my hearing. I get them to the point that they bleed. Like strokersquid said, you'll need antibiotics if it's gone to the inner ear. Also take SUDAFED! It'll help your ear drain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooke Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 My cousin had severe ear infections when she was young and is now deaf. Just make sure you take care of it, and make sure to take ALL your drops and oral antibiotics, even once you start to feel better. STAN!! youre a scary motherfucker!! haha i can picture you grinding your teeth with one eye buggin out from rage. hahaha i have the same problems though with TMJ, i can NOT chew gum at all, even chewin on a lot of steak gets me hurtin. i clench my jaw when im pissed or stressed, and also when i have nightmares, which is like every night, so i waked up from those with a sore jaw. its retarded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketboy Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 its nice to hear you guys know what i mean!!!!! mines in my right jaw joint but feels almost like an earache had so many tests and all dr said im fine,eve nan tmj orthodontist does, but i describe and have all the symptoms ive researched ,its not really understood except its often caused by stress and doesnt always make cracking sounds and effects alot of other things theres a huge cluster of nerves there . ,had mine for 4 months and counting and its ruining my life .i hate it, i just want to be normal again no dr seems to give a fuck that i m in pain or has any good advise, i bought a night gaurd and drink booze heavily so maybe someday when ny stress is gone, ill be normal again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.