Paging the hundreds of Drs. we have on board - ear infection pain (1 Viewer)

[John Bender]

I have bronchitis and a severe ear infection according to the urgent care doctor who didn't speak much english. I'm not a go-to-the-doctor guy but I went because of how painful this was.

She gave me a ZPack and some drops for the ear but since I've never had an ear infection, I have to ask:

Besides little hearing in the ear, the pain is unbearable. I can't lay down, practically can't do anything but stand and walk around. When I burp there's a sharp shooting pain.

Is this just how ear infections are - very painful? I'm debating an emergency room trip because this feels way more intense than I thought and ear infection would be.

any experience?

 

[pats3in4]

Had a bad one in 2006. Sounds like you should just contact an ENT now.

Edit: Took about a month to clear up with several ENT visits, and then had lingering residue in my outer/middle ear for several months that just went away on its own.

 

[John Bender]

Had a bad one in 2006. Sounds like you should just contact an ENT now.

Edit: Took about a month to clear up with several ENT visits, and then had lingering residue in my outer/middle ear for several months that just went away on its own.

Thanks pats

No ENTs open at this hour, but I'll certainly do so tomorrow. Did you have severe pain for any of it? This seems worse than I could imagine.

 

[Chemical X]

i would try to avoid the ER and gut thru till you get to your regular doctor.

i wont mess with you, as i know your pain.

my general combo for this is not a z pack, which isnt too Great For acute ear infection, rather i steer the Dr to augmentin (must be taken with floristor) with a possible prednisone chaser. is your ear drop cipro or benzocaine? cipro is a anti biotic steroid combo, while benzocaine Will solve the pain.

that said, any ear drop should be used with a cotton ball then stuffed in there, but it may make you feel more full.

suggestion....3 advil every 4-6 hours and an ice pack. then Go see your doc or an ENT guy.

 

[John Bender]

i would try to avoid the ER and gut thru till you get to your regular doctor.

i wont mess with you, as i know your pain.

my general combo for this is not a z pack, which isnt too Great For acute ear infection, rather i steer the Dr to augmentin (must be taken with floristor) with a possible prednisone chaser. is your ear drop cipro or benzocaine? cipro is a anti biotic steroid combo, while benzocaine Will solve the pain.

that said, any ear drop should be used with a cotton ball then stuffed in there, but it may make you feel more full.

suggestion....3 advil every 4-6 hours and an ice pack. then Go see your doc or an ENT guy.

Thanks GB.

Good advice here. The walk in clinics around here aren't always the best but it was my only option this evening.

I'm not sure the drops, but I will take your advice and use the cotton ball deal.

Will def be pounding the ibuprofen. I have some cough syrup with codeine too for the bronchitis. I may not sleep tonight but I can make it to the morning. Doesn't sound like the ER would be any better than urgent care.

 

[Rustoleum]

Sounds like a Ceti eel to me.

 

[Chemical X]

also, open your mouth and try moving your lower jaw from side to side. also, hold your nose and swallow a couple of Times.

be careful with the codeine and opioids, i am allergic and they can make you real sick.

after the ice, Go to heating pad, but cover your ear so you dont burn it.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Had one of these a few years ago Bender -- excruciating. Until it ruptured.

If it suddenly stops hurting be sure to keep it covered (cotton ball) and keep it completely dry.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Sounds like a Ceti eel to me.

Yup. Or ball cancer.

Good luck. Ear infections suck.

 

[tommyboy]

Goto store buy a nasal spray like dristan and an antihistamine. Take both. This will open up your sinuses and dry them out which kills the infection since it needs moisture to reproduce. It works fast too

 

[Arizona Ron]

Did you hear it coming?

 

[dozer]

Did you hear it coming?

What?

 

[SacramentoBob]

I get horrible ear infections. The worst are the urgent care docs who want to prescribe amoxicillin instead of an ear drop. Nothing less than oxycodone will kill the pain for me but the docs never want to prescribe it. Best bet is an ENT. Beg and plead if they don't have any appointments necessary.

God speed.

 

[matuski]

shove a qtip way in there.

 

[Fennis]

Chop it off

 

[dschuler]

It's been said before but it's best to keep your ear dry until you get a medical professional to look at it. Moisture is not your friend. Be careful in the shower.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

High dose amoxicillin is the drug of choice for acute ear infection unless you're allergic to penicillin or have recently (within the past month) been on amoxicillin for a previous infection. Azithromycin (Zpack) is not a great empiric choice.

Unless you have an ear tube or a perforated ear drum, ear drop antibiotics will do nothing for you. If it's a topical anesthetic ear drop then it will help with the pain but do nothing for the infection. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen at appropriate doses will help some with the pain. I treat several hundred children for acute ear infections every year and never prescribe narcotic for their ear pain. Suck it up---it soon will pass!

There should be absolutely no need to see an ENT for an acute ear infection. If you develop recurrent/chronic ear infections then that's a different story.

Good luck!

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Had one recently. Took a good three weeks to finally clear up to where I could hear again.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Had one recently. Took a good three weeks to finally clear up to where I could hear again.

Huh?

 

[John Bender]

Saw an ENT Dr today. Both inner and outer ear canal is significantly infected. Dr wants me off the Cortisporone drops and wants me on Promethazine instead.

If anyone knows what that stuff is or if effective, I'm all "ears"

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

Saw an ENT Dr today. Both inner and outer ear canal is significantly infected. Dr wants me off the Cortisporone drops and wants me on Promethazine instead.

If anyone knows what that stuff is or if effective, I'm all "ears"

At the pharmacy I work at, I don't recall ever seeing only promethazine given for an ear infection, but it is an old-school antihistamine, so I guess maybe it could do some good. Primary usage is to stifle nausea, although it is also used for motion sickness and as a mild sedative. They didn't give you an oral antibiotic or another ear drop with it?

 

[Short Corner]

Chop up an onion put it in a dish and use a rag to grind/soak the juice out of it. keep the rag over the ear.

 

[John Bender]

Saw an ENT Dr today. Both inner and outer ear canal is significantly infected. Dr wants me off the Cortisporone drops and wants me on Promethazine instead.

If anyone knows what that stuff is or if effective, I'm all "ears"

At the pharmacy I work at, I don't recall ever seeing only promethazine given for an ear infection, but it is an old-school antihistamine, so I guess maybe it could do some good. Primary usage is to stifle nausea, although it is also used for motion sickness and as a mild sedative. They didn't give you an oral antibiotic or another ear drop with it?

Thanks - I lied.

It looked like only 2 Rxs, but there were 4.

The Promethazine w Codeine was for bronchitis. Looks like Amoxicilian and some new drops.

Also some hydrocodone for the pain as needed - although I'm a little leery about taking these with codeine cough syrup - seems dangerous.

Unfortunately CVS was such a cluster####, I didn't even have the chance to ask the pharmacist

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

Saw an ENT Dr today. Both inner and outer ear canal is significantly infected. Dr wants me off the Cortisporone drops and wants me on Promethazine instead.

If anyone knows what that stuff is or if effective, I'm all "ears"

At the pharmacy I work at, I don't recall ever seeing only promethazine given for an ear infection, but it is an old-school antihistamine, so I guess maybe it could do some good. Primary usage is to stifle nausea, although it is also used for motion sickness and as a mild sedative. They didn't give you an oral antibiotic or another ear drop with it?

Thanks - I lied.

It looked like only 2 Rxs, but there were 4.

The Promethazine w Codeine was for bronchitis. Looks like Amoxicilian and some new drops.

Also some hydrocodone for the pain as needed - although I'm a little leery about taking these with codeine cough syrup - seems dangerous.

Unfortunately CVS was such a cluster####, I didn't even have the chance to ask the pharmacist

ah makes better sense Yeah, I'd be cautious taking the codeine and the hydrocodone together. Either of them on their own could knock you out, so both together definitely might put you under for a while. It differs for everyone though. Some can take both and neither will make them drowsy.

 

[Apple Jack]

mmmmmm....codeine

 

[captain_amazing]

Must be all that phone sex

 

[John Bender]

Thanks for the tips Nathan.

AD - I don't there's much recreational value in codeine mixed with cough syrup, but I guess we'll find out

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I was gonna suggest an ear candle but Bender is a good dude so I'll just suggest whatever the dr prescribed and bourbon

 

[Hawks64]

Did you hear it coming?

Michael did

 

[Tom Skerritt]

Thanks for the tips Nathan.

AD - I don't there's much recreational value in codeine mixed with cough syrup, but I guess we'll find out

Do you smoke?

 

[sbonomo]

Saw an ENT Dr today. Both inner and outer ear canal is significantly infected. Dr wants me off the Cortisporone drops and wants me on Promethazine instead.

If anyone knows what that stuff is or if effective, I'm all "ears"

At the pharmacy I work at, I don't recall ever seeing only promethazine given for an ear infection, but it is an old-school antihistamine, so I guess maybe it could do some good. Primary usage is to stifle nausea, although it is also used for motion sickness and as a mild sedative. They didn't give you an oral antibiotic or another ear drop with it?

Thanks - I lied.It looked like only 2 Rxs, but there were 4.

The Promethazine w Codeine was for bronchitis. Looks like Amoxicilian and some new drops.

Also some hydrocodone for the pain as needed - although I'm a little leery about taking these with codeine cough syrup - seems dangerous.

Unfortunately CVS was such a cluster####, I didn't even have the chance to ask the pharmacist

ah makes better sense Yeah, I'd be cautious taking the codeine and the hydrocodone together. Either of them on their own could knock you out, so both together definitely might put you under for a while. It differs for everyone though. Some can take both and neither will make them drowsy.

i went to er with broken nose (pointing sideways) from being hit in the face with a line drive in softball. I couldnt get any pain killers....complete bs.

 

[John Bender]

Thanks for the tips Nathan.

AD - I don't there's much recreational value in codeine mixed with cough syrup, but I guess we'll find out

Do you smoke?

No sir.

 

[SWC]

hey brohan i hope you feel better soon you are the og columbo juggalo and i salute you take that to the bank brochacho

 

[netnalp]

Putting some Hydrogen Peroxide in the infected ear will help. Lay on your side and pour some in. Leave it till the bubbling stops. To me, the sensation feels itchy, some may feel the bubbling is a little painful. You can cut the peroxide with some water. I do it straight though. If you chill it in the fridge or freezer that might help reduce the inflamation for you too.

 

[Aerial Assault]

*****THIS***** IS CETI ALPHA V!!!!!!!!!

J/K, feel better soon JB. Glad you got what sound like the right meds.

 

[SacramentoBob]

High dose amoxicillin is the drug of choice for acute ear infection unless you're allergic to penicillin or have recently (within the past month) been on amoxicillin for a previous infection. Azithromycin (Zpack) is not a great empiric choice.

Unless you have an ear tube or a perforated ear drum, ear drop antibiotics will do nothing for you. If it's a topical anesthetic ear drop then it will help with the pain but do nothing for the infection. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen at appropriate doses will help some with the pain. I treat several hundred children for acute ear infections every year and never prescribe narcotic for their ear pain. Suck it up---it soon will pass!

There should be absolutely no need to see an ENT for an acute ear infection. If you develop recurrent/chronic ear infections then that's a different story.

Good luck!

Sorry, but you're a horrible doctor.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

High dose amoxicillin is the drug of choice for acute ear infection unless you're allergic to penicillin or have recently (within the past month) been on amoxicillin for a previous infection. Azithromycin (Zpack) is not a great empiric choice.

Unless you have an ear tube or a perforated ear drum, ear drop antibiotics will do nothing for you. If it's a topical anesthetic ear drop then it will help with the pain but do nothing for the infection. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen at appropriate doses will help some with the pain. I treat several hundred children for acute ear infections every year and never prescribe narcotic for their ear pain. Suck it up---it soon will pass!

There should be absolutely no need to see an ENT for an acute ear infection. If you develop recurrent/chronic ear infections then that's a different story.

Good luck!

Sorry, but you're a horrible doctor.

Thanks!

I was joking around. I always discuss appropriate pain relief for my patients with ear infections but was just pointing out that I've never prescribed narcotic pain relievers to the thousands of children that I've treated for it over the past 20 years and they've all seemed to do fine. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen and topical numbing ear drops are usually sufficient. Narcotics certainly have their place for pain relief, just not typically for ear aches.

And it sounds like JB's ENT pretty much prescribed what I suggested, although he did offer hydrocodone for pain. JB was smart to question doubling up with that on top the codeine cough medication. Hope you're feeling better.

 

[Lutherman2112]

High dose amoxicillin is the drug of choice for acute ear infection unless you're allergic to penicillin or have recently (within the past month) been on amoxicillin for a previous infection. Azithromycin (Zpack) is not a great empiric choice.

Unless you have an ear tube or a perforated ear drum, ear drop antibiotics will do nothing for you. If it's a topical anesthetic ear drop then it will help with the pain but do nothing for the infection. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen at appropriate doses will help some with the pain. I treat several hundred children for acute ear infections every year and never prescribe narcotic for their ear pain. Suck it up---it soon will pass!

There should be absolutely no need to see an ENT for an acute ear infection. If you develop recurrent/chronic ear infections then that's a different story.

Good luck!

Sorry, but you're a horrible doctor.

He's spot on.

Pain killers will not touch the source of the problem: inflammation and fluid build up due to infection. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen as anti-inflammatory is the standard...as is toughing it out.

You go to an ENT when the infections become recurring. The OP even said this is his first ear infection,

My son had a string of ear infections as a child one year, we were referred to ENT. My boy had some allergies that led to infections. Once he turned 5, its like his Eustachian tubes tubes developed.

My daughter had chronic ear infections and was referred to ENT at 18 months. Recurring ear infections were inhibiting he speech development and tubes were surgically implanted.

This is a once in a lifetime ear infection.

 

[Ilov80s]

I got a few as a little kid (thought that was normal, maybe not). Get some penicillin or amoxicillin and you will be good quickly.

 

[John Bender]

Pain is gone but still can't hear out of it.

Follow up visit Tuesday

Hoping the hearing issue is just due to wax buildup and not permanent because it sucks.

 

[gianmarco]

Pain is gone but still can't hear out of it.

Follow up visit Tuesday

Hoping the hearing issue is just due to wax buildup and not permanent because it sucks.

Almost assuredly fluid buildup, not wax. It will go away but takes some time (days, maybe 1-2 weeks).

Surprised you actually have follow-up scheduled.

 

[John Bender]

Pain is gone but still can't hear out of it.

Follow up visit Tuesday

Hoping the hearing issue is just due to wax buildup and not permanent because it sucks.

Almost assuredly fluid buildup, not wax. It will go away but takes some time (days, maybe 1-2 weeks).

Surprised you actually have follow-up scheduled.

Well - the main issue is, I have a flight to Russia in 2 weeks for work and the doctor didnt want me getting on a 11 hour plane flight without clearing it first, so I actually have 2 follow ups scheduled before I leave..

Like I said, the infection was supposedly the worse the doctor had seen as far as severity so she wants to make sure I can fly safely without a severe pain issue and stuck in a foreign country.

 

[gianmarco]

Ah, gotcha.

You can try some OTC decongestants but it may not help much, if at all. That said, if not leaving for two weeks, you should be fine, especially if already improving.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

Pain is gone but still can't hear out of it.

Follow up visit Tuesday

Hoping the hearing issue is just due to wax buildup and not permanent because it sucks.

Almost assuredly fluid buildup, not wax. It will go away but takes some time (days, maybe 1-2 weeks).

Surprised you actually have follow-up scheduled.

Agreed. Probably a serous fluid residual after the acute ear infection. Will take a few weeks to clear. Glad that it's resolving. Like gianmarco said, you should probably follow up if your hearing doesn't return to normal within a few weeks.

 

[John Bender]

Thanks guys. Very confusing responding to 2 different people with marco in their name who are also ear experts though. Either way, greatly appreciate the help.

Of course, just because it doesn't hurt, doesn't mean the infection is gone. Like I said, ENT said it was the worse she's seen.

Hoping not much to recovery here and no idea what caused it at this point.

 

[SacramentoBob]

High dose amoxicillin is the drug of choice for acute ear infection unless you're allergic to penicillin or have recently (within the past month) been on amoxicillin for a previous infection. Azithromycin (Zpack) is not a great empiric choice.

Unless you have an ear tube or a perforated ear drum, ear drop antibiotics will do nothing for you. If it's a topical anesthetic ear drop then it will help with the pain but do nothing for the infection. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen at appropriate doses will help some with the pain. I treat several hundred children for acute ear infections every year and never prescribe narcotic for their ear pain. Suck it up---it soon will pass!

There should be absolutely no need to see an ENT for an acute ear infection. If you develop recurrent/chronic ear infections then that's a different story.

Good luck!

Sorry, but you're a horrible doctor.

He's spot on.

Pain killers will not touch the source of the problem: inflammation and fluid build up due to infection. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen as anti-inflammatory is the standard...as is toughing it out.

You go to an ENT when the infections become recurring. The OP even said this is his first ear infection,

My son had a string of ear infections as a child one year, we were referred to ENT. My boy had some allergies that led to infections. Once he turned 5, its like his Eustachian tubes tubes developed.

My daughter had chronic ear infections and was referred to ENT at 18 months. Recurring ear infections were inhibiting he speech development and tubes were surgically implanted.

This is a once in a lifetime ear infection.

Sorry, but the kind of pain I get with ear infections isn't "rub some dirt on it, you'll be fine" pain. I've had recurring ear infections my entire adult life and they are BAD. Worst pain I've ever experienced in my life bad. The constant throbbing to the beat of my pulse keeps me from being able to sleep. Amoxicillin never works. Every time I get prescribed amoxicillin I end up having to go back to another doctor in a few days in the hopes they will prescribe me the drops. The last time, after the amoxicillin didn't work the doctor tried rocephin, which also didn't work (but it cleared my syphillis right up). I finally got an appointment with an ENT. No more general practice medicine for my ear infections anymore, because they never treat me correctly. The ENT even said as much.

I've been prescribed hydrocodone, ibuprofen and tramadol for the pain. It doesn't even make a dent. The oxycodone worked, although I realize doctors are generally hesitant to give that sort of thing out. Thankfully the urgent care doctor I got that night knew Mrs. SB since they worked at the same hospital.

 

[SacramentoBob]

And the worst part is doctors who act like Lutherman and completely dismiss me after I try explaining all of this to them. Maybe I need to start lying and say I'm allergic to Amoxicillin.

 

[John Bender]

And the worst part is doctors who act like Lutherman and completely dismiss me after I try explaining all of this to them. Maybe I need to start lying and say I'm allergic to Amoxicillin.

Yep

Honestly, I know narcotic painkillers are a bit much and habit forming, but it's because scumbags have ruined them for people who actually need them during #### like this.

I got the Rx and for the first time in 3 nights, was able to actually sleep and rest (also an important part of healing). The pain on the ear infection was enough to start a thread - something I rarely do because of how abnormal it seemed. It's not a suck it up thing. It was debilitating and affected my work for almost a week here.

 

[gianmarco]

And the worst part is doctors who act like Lutherman and completely dismiss me after I try explaining all of this to them. Maybe I need to start lying and say I'm allergic to Amoxicillin.

You are the exception, not the norm, and as he stated, given the fact you have recurring ear infections means you should be seeing an ENT.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

High dose amoxicillin is the drug of choice for acute ear infection unless you're allergic to penicillin or have recently (within the past month) been on amoxicillin for a previous infection. Azithromycin (Zpack) is not a great empiric choice.

Unless you have an ear tube or a perforated ear drum, ear drop antibiotics will do nothing for you. If it's a topical anesthetic ear drop then it will help with the pain but do nothing for the infection. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen at appropriate doses will help some with the pain. I treat several hundred children for acute ear infections every year and never prescribe narcotic for their ear pain. Suck it up---it soon will pass!

There should be absolutely no need to see an ENT for an acute ear infection. If you develop recurrent/chronic ear infections then that's a different story.

Good luck!

Sorry, but you're a horrible doctor.

He's spot on.

Pain killers will not touch the source of the problem: inflammation and fluid build up due to infection. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen as anti-inflammatory is the standard...as is toughing it out.

You go to an ENT when the infections become recurring. The OP even said this is his first ear infection,

My son had a string of ear infections as a child one year, we were referred to ENT. My boy had some allergies that led to infections. Once he turned 5, its like his Eustachian tubes tubes developed.

My daughter had chronic ear infections and was referred to ENT at 18 months. Recurring ear infections were inhibiting he speech development and tubes were surgically implanted.

This is a once in a lifetime ear infection.

Sorry, but the kind of pain I get with ear infections isn't "rub some dirt on it, you'll be fine" pain. I've had recurring ear infections my entire adult life and they are BAD. Worst pain I've ever experienced in my life bad. The constant throbbing to the beat of my pulse keeps me from being able to sleep. Amoxicillin never works. Every time I get prescribed amoxicillin I end up having to go back to another doctor in a few days in the hopes they will prescribe me the drops. The last time, after the amoxicillin didn't work the doctor tried rocephin, which also didn't work (but it cleared my syphillis right up). I finally got an appointment with an ENT. No more general practice medicine for my ear infections anymore, because they never treat me correctly. The ENT even said as much.

I've been prescribed hydrocodone, ibuprofen and tramadol for the pain. It doesn't even make a dent. The oxycodone worked, although I realize doctors are generally hesitant to give that sort of thing out. Thankfully the urgent care doctor I got that night knew Mrs. SB since they worked at the same hospital.

OK. This is an extreme case and I'd hope your primary care doctor knows this and prescribes appropriately.

I'm not sure what drops you're referring to unless you're having external ear infections or, "swimmer's ear", because otherwise topical antibiotic drops are going to do nothing for a typical middle ear infection. Numbing drops will help with the pain.

Like I said in my original post for which you called me a horrible doctor, if you've had a history of recent amoxicillin use or amoxicillin resistance then a stronger antibiotic is indicated. If Rocephin doesn't work for you then you definitely need to see the ENT because no other oral or topical antibiotic is likely to be effective.

If your general practice doctor isn't following this line of treatment then I'd seek another. If she/he did follow this line of treatment and your ENT doctor threw them under the bus then I'd find a different ENT.