I am 42 yo F. I started with pressure in my ears in August 2012. I went to urgent care. They saw infection in right ear. Put on augmentin.
Back to primary dr. a few days later who put me on oral cipro. Sent to ENT a few days later who add cipro drops and cultured left ear. Culture showed staph aureus (not MRSA), yeast and pseudomonas. ENT added diflucan.
I have been to ENT more times than I can count. Infection cleared but pressure in ears didn't go away. Was put on steroids. Made it worse.
Had tubes inserted 10/23/2012. Woke up from surgery with SEVERE pain. ENT said there was no reason for pain. ("People who get tubes have no pain afterward. You have no infection.") Was told I had eustachian tube dysfunction and tubes should resolve. 2 days later called ENT still in severe pain. Said to take tylenol and advil.
Called back next day with horribly smelly drainage and worsening pain. Went to ENT. BAD infection. Was put on cipro drops and cipro oral antibiotics, given hydrocodone and sent home. Several days later went to urgent care and was given IV antibiotics. Infection went from middle ear to ear canal.
2 days later called ENT. I suspected yeast. Nobody would return my call. They waited a few days then cultured it, had to grow it a couple more days, so I suffered. Dr. said yeast. Took more diflucan and stopped antibiotics. Also started using Tinactin in ear every other day.
By this time I thought I was dying and on 2 hydrocodone every 4 hours, unable to get out of bed pretty much this whole time. Dr. also used gentian violet. Was told yeast is most painful infection in ear.
Back 3 weeks later, infection still there. Gentian violet once again and more tinaction for 10 more days.
Back 2 weeks later. (12-6-12) ENT says ears are dry. I'm still in pain. Something isn't right. Dr. INSISTS it is TMJ or neuropathy. I go home exhausted. Dr. ordered xray on sinuses. Was clear.
Started severe headache over entire head.
12-11-12 left ear starts leaking smelly fluid again. 12-12-12 I am back in to ENT. ALL THREE bacteria are present in my ear and it stinks, has green pus. Isn't that old infection? Gentian violet swabbed in ear again. Was given augmentin. Now I am worse. Am ready to start more diflucan again and take levoquin. I am very sick. Have had 99-99.8 temp since October. I'm miserable. My left ear is full. My hearing is diminished. Now my right ear hurts. My teeth hurt. My jaw hurts.
I have 5 children. My husband has no time left to take from work and I have needed help with myself, my children and cannot drive, so someone has had to take me to all my appointments. I don't know who else I am supposed to go to. I need to know who can help me. Please. Why am I unable to clear this infection? I am careful not to get ears wet. Who do I turn to next? What is going on with me? I need answers. Please advise.