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ear infection that hasn't changed much in a week
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An_245705 posted:
I'm used to having ear infections. I had a lot of them when I was a baby. So this one was no suprise to me, but I'm starting to get concerned.

It all started about two weeks ago. I started getting pressure in my left ear, so i started to clean it out more. it started to itch, then sting, then, last monday, my mom had to take me to the ER because of the pain, everything started having a high-pitched ring with it, and nothing was working. The doctor gave me some drops, and 5 days of Zithromax (since I've built up an allergy to amoxicillin, pennicillin, and Lorabid). So it's been about a week since the ER trip, and since then, our insurance has run out (my mom was recently unemployed, and we're still in the process of switching over to my dad's insurance). The pressure has remained, the only pain is sharp, but only happens once every (rough estimate) 20 minutes, and Ibuprofein helps. I still have to take the drops every 2 hours, but now there's this quiet sound that almost sounds like radio interference, and I can hear my own pulse. I can't go to the doctor at the moment, so what should I do???
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:ear infection that hasn't changed much in a weekI'm used to having ear infections. I had a lot of them when I was a baby. So this one was no suprise to me, but I'm starting to get concerned.<br /> <br />It all started about two weeks ago. I started getting pressure in my left ear, so i started to clean it out more. it started to itch, then sting, then, last monday, my mom had to take me to the ER because of the pain, everything started having a high-pitched ring with it, and nothing was working. The doctor gave me some drops, and 5 days of Zithromax (since I've built up an allergy to amoxicillin, pennicillin, and Lorabid). So it's been about a week since the ER trip, and since then, our insurance has run out (my mom was recently unemployed, and we're still in the process of switching over to my dad's insurance). The pressure has remained, the only pain is sharp, but only happens once every (rough estimate) 20 minutes, and Ibuprofein helps. I still have to take the drops every 2 hours, but now there's this quiet sound that almost sounds like radio interference, and I can hear my own pulse. I can't go to the doctor at the moment, so what should I do???
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:
There is nothing you can do on your own, and there is really nothing that I can blindly do over the Internet to help you since I can't examine you. I don't even know what KIND of ear infection you have, since your doctor treated you for TWO different types....the drops would only help an external ear canal infection (common in Q-tip users, so quit "cleaning your ears". Ear wax is NOT dirt), and an oral antibiotic for a middle ear infection. I don't know what you are taking, or if those medications are appropriate for your infection.

What are the names on your medication bottles?

If you don't improve, someone is going to have to fork out some precious money and pay for another medical visit, unless your parents can find a free clinic. Don't go to the ER...this is the most expensive care you can get, and not necessarily the best care.
Report This| Share this:ear infection that hasn't changed much in a weekThere is nothing you can do on your own, and there is really nothing that I can blindly do over the Internet to help you since I can't examine you. I don't even know what KIND of ear infection you have, since your doctor treated you for TWO different types....the drops would only help an external ear canal infection (common in Q-tip users, so quit "cleaning your ears". Ear wax is NOT dirt), and an oral antibiotic for a middle ear infection. I don't know what you are taking, or if those medications are appropriate for your infection.<br /> <br />What are the names on your medication bottles?<br /> <br />If you don't improve, someone is going to have to fork out some precious money and pay for another medical visit, unless your parents can find a free clinic. Don't go to the ER...this is the most expensive care you can get, and not necessarily the best care.
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sangonanami replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
the doctor told me the infection involved my ear canal and ear drum if that helps at all. The label on the bottle of drops says "Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Hydrocortisone Otic". that's about all I know.
Report This| Share this:ear infection that hasn't changed much in a weekthe doctor told me the infection involved my ear canal and ear drum if that helps at all. The label on the bottle of drops says "Neomycin and Polymyxin B Sulfates and Hydrocortisone Otic". that's about all I know.
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to sangonanami's response:
Or, the doctor wasn't sure so he treated both. The eardrops are for Swimmer's ear, but some people adversely react to the Neomycin in that formulation.

What was your ORAL antibiotic?
Report This| Share this:ear infection that hasn't changed much in a weekOr, the doctor wasn't sure so he treated both. The eardrops are for Swimmer's ear, but some people adversely react to the Neomycin in that formulation.<br /> <br />What was your ORAL antibiotic?
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sangonanami replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Zithromax. By the way, lately I've been hearing popping sounds when I yawn, but the pressure's still there. Is that good?
Report This| Share this:ear infection that hasn't changed much in a weekZithromax. By the way, lately I've been hearing popping sounds when I yawn, but the pressure's still there. Is that good?
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to sangonanami's response:
Zithromax is really not the best antibiotic to treat a middle ear infection, assuming your doctor made this diagnosis.

No, pressure and popping sounds are not normal.
Report This| Share this:ear infection that hasn't changed much in a weekZithromax is really not the best antibiotic to treat a middle ear infection, assuming your doctor made this diagnosis.<br /> <br />No, pressure and popping sounds are not normal.
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