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Swimmer's Ear - Satan's Wrath
RickInRedlands posted:
I posted a long story on another blog -
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=19038911&postID=114400333779219195&page=1
And they suggested I post a bit here too. Here is part of that posting for some of you to input back on for me...
WELL. This weekend... I got the mother of all infections in my right ear. It came on fast and with a vengeance. It swelled shut and was SO painful. At first, I tried to relieve the liquid build-up myself with MORE Q-TIPS... which I am sure is a REALLY stupid idea... but we all do stupid things when we panic.
Needless to say, it got worse. A lot worse. I was eating Ibuprofen like it was candy and even then, the pain was so severe, I was half-dressed in the middle of the night to go to the ER. I rode it out until the next morning and finally went here in Redlands, California.
I couldn't hear anything out of the right ear and it hurt SO bad to even touch the ear that I was very afraid of someone in the ER hurting me even more.
Here's where I need input from you guys - because I have NO idea if this is normal or if I have the right to be REALLY upset here...
The young doctor that saw me first tried to look into my ear canal with the light-looker-peeky thing and I warned him NOT to stick that thing in my ear; that there was no way it would go in, and that it would kill me. He agreed (after of course, trying to push it in a bit until I said, "Um, OW.").
He then proceeded to get a "wick". What he came back with looked like a 4x4 and was about 1 1/2 inches long or so. I asked what it was made of and he said something like "coarse cotton." My mind is reeling a million miles a second at that point and I am thinking there is NO way "coarse ANYTHING" is going to feel good going in... and so I asked him how he planned on getting it in. He said it would have to shove it in and I said to him, "Uhm, won't that hurt? A LOT?" and he replied, "Well, it's not going to be very comfortable..."
With that, he tilted my head to the side and SHOVED it in. I saw a blinding white flash, cried out in pain and slammed the other side of my head against the metal/mesh divider between stations. I growled really loudly in pain - so much so that two nurses came over to see what had happened. I am not a big guy, but I definitely have a big, booming voice. And I'm sure EVERYONE heard it.
The doctor told me to come lie down on a table (I followed him with my head spinning still from the burning pain) so he could put the eardrops in. I was obviously still in a great amount of distress and so he kind of with an attitude said, "I can get you a shot for the pain if you'd like..."
I responded curtly, "I don't NEED a pain shot - as long as you don't SHOVE anything in my ear again."
The pain was SO bad all night... that was 48 hours ago. The stupid wick is still in the right ear, and there is very little pain or discomfort. I am thinking of pulling it out soon - what do you guys think?
And I would honestly like to hear responses from you guys - was I unjustly "treated" at the ER or DO doctors just shove these wicks in like that, causing tremendous pain to the patients? What if I had been a little old lady or a child instead of a 39 year-old guy?
It doesn't seem right at all to me - but then again, I am not familiar with how this stuff works. You guys tell me.
And so to add insult to injury, I woke up yesterday with... yep... Swimmer's Ear in my OTHER ear. WHAT THE HECK? Now I am sitting here with honestly about 85% total hearing loss. The other ear is swollen shut, but I am managing to use the drops the doc gave me on BOTH ears now.
Can't hear a THING though - and it is VERY frustrating. How long should I expect the ears to be "sealed up" like this? Do they come open themselves or do I need to use a warm washcloth or something (NOT a Q-tip EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER AGAIN)?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=19038911&postID=114400333779219195&page=1
And they suggested I post a bit here too. Here is part of that posting for some of you to input back on for me...
WELL. This weekend... I got the mother of all infections in my right ear. It came on fast and with a vengeance. It swelled shut and was SO painful. At first, I tried to relieve the liquid build-up myself with MORE Q-TIPS... which I am sure is a REALLY stupid idea... but we all do stupid things when we panic.
Needless to say, it got worse. A lot worse. I was eating Ibuprofen like it was candy and even then, the pain was so severe, I was half-dressed in the middle of the night to go to the ER. I rode it out until the next morning and finally went here in Redlands, California.
I couldn't hear anything out of the right ear and it hurt SO bad to even touch the ear that I was very afraid of someone in the ER hurting me even more.
Here's where I need input from you guys - because I have NO idea if this is normal or if I have the right to be REALLY upset here...
The young doctor that saw me first tried to look into my ear canal with the light-looker-peeky thing and I warned him NOT to stick that thing in my ear; that there was no way it would go in, and that it would kill me. He agreed (after of course, trying to push it in a bit until I said, "Um, OW.").
He then proceeded to get a "wick". What he came back with looked like a 4x4 and was about 1 1/2 inches long or so. I asked what it was made of and he said something like "coarse cotton." My mind is reeling a million miles a second at that point and I am thinking there is NO way "coarse ANYTHING" is going to feel good going in... and so I asked him how he planned on getting it in. He said it would have to shove it in and I said to him, "Uhm, won't that hurt? A LOT?" and he replied, "Well, it's not going to be very comfortable..."
With that, he tilted my head to the side and SHOVED it in. I saw a blinding white flash, cried out in pain and slammed the other side of my head against the metal/mesh divider between stations. I growled really loudly in pain - so much so that two nurses came over to see what had happened. I am not a big guy, but I definitely have a big, booming voice. And I'm sure EVERYONE heard it.
The doctor told me to come lie down on a table (I followed him with my head spinning still from the burning pain) so he could put the eardrops in. I was obviously still in a great amount of distress and so he kind of with an attitude said, "I can get you a shot for the pain if you'd like..."
I responded curtly, "I don't NEED a pain shot - as long as you don't SHOVE anything in my ear again."
The pain was SO bad all night... that was 48 hours ago. The stupid wick is still in the right ear, and there is very little pain or discomfort. I am thinking of pulling it out soon - what do you guys think?
And I would honestly like to hear responses from you guys - was I unjustly "treated" at the ER or DO doctors just shove these wicks in like that, causing tremendous pain to the patients? What if I had been a little old lady or a child instead of a 39 year-old guy?
It doesn't seem right at all to me - but then again, I am not familiar with how this stuff works. You guys tell me.
And so to add insult to injury, I woke up yesterday with... yep... Swimmer's Ear in my OTHER ear. WHAT THE HECK? Now I am sitting here with honestly about 85% total hearing loss. The other ear is swollen shut, but I am managing to use the drops the doc gave me on BOTH ears now.
Can't hear a THING though - and it is VERY frustrating. How long should I expect the ears to be "sealed up" like this? Do they come open themselves or do I need to use a warm washcloth or something (NOT a Q-tip EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER AGAIN)?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
9 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Swimmer's Ear - Satan's WrathI posted a long story on another blog - <br><br><a href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=19038911&postID=114400333779219195&page=1">https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=19038911&postID=114400333779219195&page=1</a> <br><br>And they suggested I post a bit here too. Here is part of that posting for some of you to input back on for me... <br><br>WELL. This weekend... I got the mother of all infections in my right ear. It came on fast and with a vengeance. It swelled shut and was SO painful. At first, I tried to relieve the liquid build-up myself with MORE Q-TIPS... which I am sure is a REALLY stupid idea... but we all do stupid things when we panic. <br><br>Needless to say, it got worse. A lot worse. I was eating Ibuprofen like it was candy and even then, the pain was so severe, I was half-dressed in the middle of the night to go to the ER. I rode it out until the next morning and finally went here in Redlands, California. <br><br>I couldn't hear anything out of the right ear and it hurt SO bad to even touch the ear that I was very afraid of someone in the ER hurting me even more. <br><br>Here's where I need input from you guys - because I have NO idea if this is normal or if I have the right to be REALLY upset here... <br><br>The young doctor that saw me first tried to look into my ear canal with the light-looker-peeky thing and I warned him NOT to stick that thing in my ear; that there was no way it would go in, and that it would kill me. He agreed (after of course, trying to push it in a bit until I said, "Um, OW."). <br><br>He then proceeded to get a "wick". What he came back with looked like a 4x4 and was about 1 1/2 inches long or so. I asked what it was made of and he said something like "coarse cotton." My mind is reeling a million miles a second at that point and I am thinking there is NO way "coarse ANYTHING" is going to feel good going in... and so I asked him how he planned on getting it in. He said it would have to shove it in and I said to him, "Uhm, won't that hurt? A LOT?" and he replied, "Well, it's not going to be very comfortable..." <br><br>With that, he tilted my head to the side and SHOVED it in. I saw a blinding white flash, cried out in pain and slammed the other side of my head against the metal/mesh divider between stations. I growled really loudly in pain - so much so that two nurses came over to see what had happened. I am not a big guy, but I definitely have a big, booming voice. And I'm sure EVERYONE heard it. <br><br>The doctor told me to come lie down on a table (I followed him with my head spinning still from the burning pain) so he could put the eardrops in. I was obviously still in a great amount of distress and so he kind of with an attitude said, "I can get you a shot for the pain if you'd like..." <br><br>I responded curtly, "I don't NEED a pain shot - as long as you don't SHOVE anything in my ear again." <br><br>The pain was SO bad all night... that was 48 hours ago. The stupid wick is still in the right ear, and there is very little pain or discomfort. I am thinking of pulling it out soon - what do you guys think? <br><br>And I would honestly like to hear responses from you guys - was I unjustly "treated" at the ER or DO doctors just shove these wicks in like that, causing tremendous pain to the patients? What if I had been a little old lady or a child instead of a 39 year-old guy? <br><br>It doesn't seem right at all to me - but then again, I am not familiar with how this stuff works. You guys tell me. <br><br>And so to add insult to injury, I woke up yesterday with... yep... Swimmer's Ear in my OTHER ear. WHAT THE HECK? Now I am sitting here with honestly about 85% total hearing loss. The other ear is swollen shut, but I am managing to use the drops the doc gave me on BOTH ears now. <br><br>Can't hear a THING though - and it is VERY frustrating. How long should I expect the ears to be "sealed up" like this? Do they come open themselves or do I need to use a warm washcloth or something (NOT a Q-tip EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER AGAIN)? <br><br>Thanks in advance for your responses.
Rod_Moser_PA_PhD responded:
Otitis externa (swimmer's ear) is acutely painful...more painful than a middle ear infection, in fact, because there are so many more sensory nerves in the ear canal. You, of course, have significant swelling, making a direct examination impossible.
With that said, the laminaria (the wick) is very appropriate. The wick is really compressed seaweed that will gradually expand to open the ear canal. It should be removed (my your medical provider) in a few days. Unless the ear canal is open, those eardrops -- hopefully an antibiotic/steroid combination -- cannot get to the source of this infection and swelling. And, I hope that gave you a good ORAL pain medications. Of course, I have no way of seeing your ear first-hand, but an steroid injection may have been appropriate, too.
Inserting a wick can be painful. Short of given you a shot of Demerol prior, there is really little that can be done to reduce the discomfort. A certain amount of pain response is unavoidable. Doctors are not sadists...they really do not want to cause pain, but some procedures are just, plain painful.
Hopefully, your Q-tips days are over. By allowing the protective wax coating to return to your ear canal, you will be less likely to have to go through this again (unless you are a swimmer!).
Please see an ENT if you are not improving. There are some severe cases of otitis externa (called malignant otitis externa) that will require more aggressive treatment.
And by the way....this was a good story.
With that said, the laminaria (the wick) is very appropriate. The wick is really compressed seaweed that will gradually expand to open the ear canal. It should be removed (my your medical provider) in a few days. Unless the ear canal is open, those eardrops -- hopefully an antibiotic/steroid combination -- cannot get to the source of this infection and swelling. And, I hope that gave you a good ORAL pain medications. Of course, I have no way of seeing your ear first-hand, but an steroid injection may have been appropriate, too.
Inserting a wick can be painful. Short of given you a shot of Demerol prior, there is really little that can be done to reduce the discomfort. A certain amount of pain response is unavoidable. Doctors are not sadists...they really do not want to cause pain, but some procedures are just, plain painful.
Hopefully, your Q-tips days are over. By allowing the protective wax coating to return to your ear canal, you will be less likely to have to go through this again (unless you are a swimmer!).
Please see an ENT if you are not improving. There are some severe cases of otitis externa (called malignant otitis externa) that will require more aggressive treatment.
And by the way....this was a good story.
Report This| Share this:Swimmer's Ear - Satan's WrathOtitis externa (swimmer's ear) is acutely painful...more painful than a middle ear infection, in fact, because there are so many more sensory nerves in the ear canal. You, of course, have significant swelling, making a direct examination impossible. <br><br>With that said, the laminaria (the wick) is very appropriate. The wick is really compressed seaweed that will gradually expand to open the ear canal. It should be removed (my your medical provider) in a few days. Unless the ear canal is open, those eardrops -- hopefully an antibiotic/steroid combination -- cannot get to the source of this infection and swelling. And, I hope that gave you a good ORAL pain medications. Of course, I have no way of seeing your ear first-hand, but an steroid injection may have been appropriate, too. <br><br>Inserting a wick can be painful. Short of given you a shot of Demerol prior, there is really little that can be done to reduce the discomfort. A certain amount of pain response is unavoidable. Doctors are not sadists...they really do not want to cause pain, but some procedures are just, plain painful. <br><br>Hopefully, your Q-tips days are over. By allowing the protective wax coating to return to your ear canal, you will be less likely to have to go through this again (unless you are a swimmer!). <br><br>Please see an ENT if you are not improving. There are some severe cases of otitis externa (called malignant otitis externa) that will require more aggressive treatment. <br><br>And by the way....this was a good story.
RickInRedlands responded:
The doctor said that the wick would "fall out on its own" once the swelling went down. But I have a feeling that it is SO far in there and the drops DO solidify as they dry a bit - that the sucker is going to become a permanent attachment.
It almost feels like THAT is what is keeping my right ear sore - a foreign object (dunno why he called it "coarse cotton" and now I have even MORE of a reason to dislike Sushi) jammed all the way down to my soul through my ear canal... There is no way to simply give it a gentle tug with a tweezer and see if it comes loose that way?
And without jinxing myself - I THINK the left ear, although definitely swollen shut now is NOT as bad as the right one got. Maybe I caught it in time with the ear drops and some quick thinking to start administering them before the canal closed up completely.
But as I said - both ears are definitely still shut and all I can hear as I sit here is my own internal breathing. I THINK that is partly due to the goopy mess the drops leave as residue in the canal, isn't it?
So, do I assume that my ears have gone into a "cocoon" stage and are going to magically open up when my body has repaired itself some more, or do I have to gently clean out the ear with a damp warm cloth, NOT letting any water run in to the canal?
Like many Americans, I work, yet have no medical insurance. I don't necessarily want to go pay another doctor to take the wick out when I may be able to do it easily and without concern...
I just don't know what the signs are to look for... I honestly don't think it's going to ever fall out into my cereal... which means I would have to "inspire" it to come out a bit...
Thank you for taking the time to speak to me as a human - and for this service; in the ER I felt like a head of cattle. This is much more dignified and professional.
It almost feels like THAT is what is keeping my right ear sore - a foreign object (dunno why he called it "coarse cotton" and now I have even MORE of a reason to dislike Sushi) jammed all the way down to my soul through my ear canal... There is no way to simply give it a gentle tug with a tweezer and see if it comes loose that way?
And without jinxing myself - I THINK the left ear, although definitely swollen shut now is NOT as bad as the right one got. Maybe I caught it in time with the ear drops and some quick thinking to start administering them before the canal closed up completely.
But as I said - both ears are definitely still shut and all I can hear as I sit here is my own internal breathing. I THINK that is partly due to the goopy mess the drops leave as residue in the canal, isn't it?
So, do I assume that my ears have gone into a "cocoon" stage and are going to magically open up when my body has repaired itself some more, or do I have to gently clean out the ear with a damp warm cloth, NOT letting any water run in to the canal?
Like many Americans, I work, yet have no medical insurance. I don't necessarily want to go pay another doctor to take the wick out when I may be able to do it easily and without concern...
I just don't know what the signs are to look for... I honestly don't think it's going to ever fall out into my cereal... which means I would have to "inspire" it to come out a bit...
Thank you for taking the time to speak to me as a human - and for this service; in the ER I felt like a head of cattle. This is much more dignified and professional.
Report This| Share this:Swimmer's Ear - Satan's WrathThe doctor said that the wick would "fall out on its own" once the swelling went down. But I have a feeling that it is SO far in there and the drops DO solidify as they dry a bit - that the sucker is going to become a permanent attachment. <br><br>It almost feels like THAT is what is keeping my right ear sore - a foreign object (dunno why he called it "coarse cotton" and now I have even MORE of a reason to dislike Sushi) jammed all the way down to my soul through my ear canal... There is no way to simply give it a gentle tug with a tweezer and see if it comes loose that way? <br><br>And without jinxing myself - I THINK the left ear, although definitely swollen shut now is NOT as bad as the right one got. Maybe I caught it in time with the ear drops and some quick thinking to start administering them before the canal closed up completely. <br><br>But as I said - both ears are definitely still shut and all I can hear as I sit here is my own internal breathing. I THINK that is partly due to the goopy mess the drops leave as residue in the canal, isn't it? <br><br>So, do I assume that my ears have gone into a "cocoon" stage and are going to magically open up when my body has repaired itself some more, or do I have to gently clean out the ear with a damp warm cloth, NOT letting any water run in to the canal? <br><br>Like many Americans, I work, yet have no medical insurance. I don't necessarily want to go pay another doctor to take the wick out when I may be able to do it easily and without concern... <br><br>I just don't know what the signs are to look for... I honestly don't think it's going to ever fall out into my cereal... which means I would have to "inspire" it to come out a bit... <br><br>Thank you for taking the time to speak to me as a human - and for this service; in the ER I felt like a head of cattle. This is much more dignified and professional.
RickInRedlands responded:
P.S. The doctor gave me a script for Darvocet - which I learned the HARD way NOT to take on le empty tummy (Go Team Stupid! Yay!) very quickly. However, I am not a huge fan of narcotics in my body - so he also said I could take up to 900mg of Ibuprofen every three to six hours as well, which I have opted to do because they seem less spooky to me than potentially-tummy-upsetting Darvocet.
I have weened myself off of the script already (was only $10 at CVS - NOT bad for no insurance), and just want to have some idea (because right now I may as well be in a fog bank) of what to expect next... will the ears start drying up? Will the goop be absorbed into the canals?
Again, thank you for your time and service.
I have weened myself off of the script already (was only $10 at CVS - NOT bad for no insurance), and just want to have some idea (because right now I may as well be in a fog bank) of what to expect next... will the ears start drying up? Will the goop be absorbed into the canals?
Again, thank you for your time and service.
Report This| Share this:Swimmer's Ear - Satan's WrathP.S. The doctor gave me a script for Darvocet - which I learned the HARD way NOT to take on le empty tummy (Go Team Stupid! Yay!) very quickly. However, I am not a huge fan of narcotics in my body - so he also said I could take up to 900mg of Ibuprofen every three to six hours as well, which I have opted to do because they seem less spooky to me than potentially-tummy-upsetting Darvocet. <br><br>I have weened myself off of the script already (was only $10 at CVS - NOT bad for no insurance), and just want to have some idea (because right now I may as well be in a fog bank) of what to expect next... will the ears start drying up? Will the goop be absorbed into the canals? <br><br>Again, thank you for your time and service.
RickInRedlands responded:
P.P.S. Major change of plans and a breaking update... This is big-time icky, so anyone that is squeamish, STOP reading now...
After my last post, I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth before hitting the sack... and as I did, I just turned my head and touched the wick... and it fell out! It was a LOT shorter and fatter than it looked going in.
Anyway... that isn't all that came out. The wick was covered with yellow, pink-gray liquid I am going to assume was pus mixed with this eardrop medicine. And there was a VERY strong odor - pungent. I put a piece of tissue up to my ear (NOT putting it IN the canal) and each time, there would be more stinking goop on the tissue. Then, it became more red - definitely some blood in there for good measure.
I honestly thought, "Great! As soon as this nastiness gets cleaned out and stops flowing from my canal, I will be able to HEAR again better!" No such luck. Still fairly deaf and both ears are ringing continuously.
So I pose the question to you that ANY MD would love to ponder and think about - what WAS that stuff that came out of my ear, and since the wick itself is seaweed, does THAT contribute to the smell as well? It was super strong but nothing that would make you "gag" - horrifying as it sounds, it kind of smelled like chicken noodle soup or something... which is making me wonder IF maybe the seaweed wick could give off some of that odor.
Should I be concerned about the discharge? Is it normal? Should I lay off the drops tonight and see if maybe the canal will dry a bit now with the wick gone? I didn't tug it, I promise - I merely touched the top, noted that it was really damp and that is when it fell into my ear "basin" or whatever the medical term for it is. As I tilt my head... I CAN feel movement in there like more liquid or something...
Sorry for being so graphic - but I needed to express exactly what this was like to get a solid idea to you for the best answer possible.
It was/is gross, I know. But hey - at least it's not gonna be on YOUR pillows tonight!
I look forward to knowing what to expect next from always-exciting Mother Nature...
After my last post, I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth before hitting the sack... and as I did, I just turned my head and touched the wick... and it fell out! It was a LOT shorter and fatter than it looked going in.
Anyway... that isn't all that came out. The wick was covered with yellow, pink-gray liquid I am going to assume was pus mixed with this eardrop medicine. And there was a VERY strong odor - pungent. I put a piece of tissue up to my ear (NOT putting it IN the canal) and each time, there would be more stinking goop on the tissue. Then, it became more red - definitely some blood in there for good measure.
I honestly thought, "Great! As soon as this nastiness gets cleaned out and stops flowing from my canal, I will be able to HEAR again better!" No such luck. Still fairly deaf and both ears are ringing continuously.
So I pose the question to you that ANY MD would love to ponder and think about - what WAS that stuff that came out of my ear, and since the wick itself is seaweed, does THAT contribute to the smell as well? It was super strong but nothing that would make you "gag" - horrifying as it sounds, it kind of smelled like chicken noodle soup or something... which is making me wonder IF maybe the seaweed wick could give off some of that odor.
Should I be concerned about the discharge? Is it normal? Should I lay off the drops tonight and see if maybe the canal will dry a bit now with the wick gone? I didn't tug it, I promise - I merely touched the top, noted that it was really damp and that is when it fell into my ear "basin" or whatever the medical term for it is. As I tilt my head... I CAN feel movement in there like more liquid or something...
Sorry for being so graphic - but I needed to express exactly what this was like to get a solid idea to you for the best answer possible.
It was/is gross, I know. But hey - at least it's not gonna be on YOUR pillows tonight!
I look forward to knowing what to expect next from always-exciting Mother Nature...
Report This| Share this:Swimmer's Ear - Satan's WrathP.P.S. Major change of plans and a breaking update... This is big-time icky, so anyone that is squeamish, STOP reading now... <br><br>After my last post, I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth before hitting the sack... and as I did, I just turned my head and touched the wick... and it fell out! It was a LOT shorter and fatter than it looked going in. <br><br>Anyway... that isn't all that came out. The wick was covered with yellow, pink-gray liquid I am going to assume was pus mixed with this eardrop medicine. And there was a VERY strong odor - pungent. I put a piece of tissue up to my ear (NOT putting it IN the canal) and each time, there would be more stinking goop on the tissue. Then, it became more red - definitely some blood in there for good measure. <br><br>I honestly thought, "Great! As soon as this nastiness gets cleaned out and stops flowing from my canal, I will be able to HEAR again better!" No such luck. Still fairly deaf and both ears are ringing continuously. <br><br>So I pose the question to you that ANY MD would love to ponder and think about - what WAS that stuff that came out of my ear, and since the wick itself is seaweed, does THAT contribute to the smell as well? It was super strong but nothing that would make you "gag" - horrifying as it sounds, it kind of smelled like chicken noodle soup or something... which is making me wonder IF maybe the seaweed wick could give off some of that odor. <br><br>Should I be concerned about the discharge? Is it normal? Should I lay off the drops tonight and see if maybe the canal will dry a bit now with the wick gone? I didn't tug it, I promise - I merely touched the top, noted that it was really damp and that is when it fell into my ear "basin" or whatever the medical term for it is. As I tilt my head... I CAN feel movement in there like more liquid or something... <br><br>Sorry for being so graphic - but I needed to express exactly what this was like to get a solid idea to you for the best answer possible. <br><br>It was/is gross, I know. But hey - at least it's not gonna be on YOUR pillows tonight! <br><br>I look forward to knowing what to expect next from always-exciting Mother Nature...
Rod_Moser_PA_PhD responded:
I don't know where to start....your messages are long and complicated.
Ear wicks usually have to be removed...they rarely fall out, or in your case...the patient pulls them out. This is not something I recommend.
Unfortunately, neither one of us has the ability to look inside your ear to determine the current status of your ear canal. Insurance or not, I cannot treat you via the Internet....I can only offer you some sound advice based on what you shared.
The most common pathogen for otitis externa is Pseudomonas....and this bug is a real stinker. Assuming that your eardrops (I either forgot what you are taking or you didn't tell me) covers this common pathogen, then you should keep using those drops.
Knowing how important ears are, I think you should have a medical provider re-examine you....even if you have a pay some hard-earned cash.
Ear wicks usually have to be removed...they rarely fall out, or in your case...the patient pulls them out. This is not something I recommend.
Unfortunately, neither one of us has the ability to look inside your ear to determine the current status of your ear canal. Insurance or not, I cannot treat you via the Internet....I can only offer you some sound advice based on what you shared.
The most common pathogen for otitis externa is Pseudomonas....and this bug is a real stinker. Assuming that your eardrops (I either forgot what you are taking or you didn't tell me) covers this common pathogen, then you should keep using those drops.
Knowing how important ears are, I think you should have a medical provider re-examine you....even if you have a pay some hard-earned cash.
Report This| Share this:Swimmer's Ear - Satan's WrathI don't know where to start....your messages are long and complicated. <br><br>Ear wicks usually have to be removed...they rarely fall out, or in your case...the patient pulls them out. This is not something I recommend. <br><br>Unfortunately, neither one of us has the ability to look inside your ear to determine the current status of your ear canal. Insurance or not, I cannot treat you via the Internet....I can only offer you some sound advice based on what you shared. <br><br>The most common pathogen for otitis externa is Pseudomonas....and this bug is a real stinker. Assuming that your eardrops (I either forgot what you are taking or you didn't tell me) covers this common pathogen, then you should keep using those drops. <br><br>Knowing how important ears are, I think you should have a medical provider re-examine you....even if you have a pay some hard-earned cash.
sfreeze3113 replied to Rod_Moser_PA_PhD's response:
I have a stupid wick in now, it is so uncomfortable and painful, i wouldn't wish it upon anyone!!!
Report This| Share this:Swimmer's Ear - Satan's WrathI have a stupid wick in now, it is so uncomfortable and painful, i wouldn't wish it upon anyone!!!
Wicks are only temporary and are needed when there is severe, painful swelling. I suspect that most of your discomfort is not the wick, but the infection. Swimmers ear can be more painful than a common, middle ear infection.
Report This| Share this:Swimmer's Ear - Satan's WrathWicks are only temporary and are needed when there is severe, painful swelling. I suspect that most of your discomfort is not the wick, but the infection. Swimmers ear can be more painful than a common, middle ear infection.
tasha_ed replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
I just had a wick placed today for an infection I have been dealing with for only a couple of days. I have oral antibiotics and drops and was advised to take a lot of ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen. It has only been 12 hours and I feel no relief. I'm not sure if it is the pressure from the wick trying to keep my ear canal open or what, but I am getting very little relief from the OTC pain meds or even a heating pad. And when I have to administer the drops it really hurts after they get through the wick. When do I know this isn't working and go back to the DR?
Report This| Share this:Swimmer's Ear - Satan's WrathI just had a wick placed today for an infection I have been dealing with for only a couple of days. I have oral antibiotics and drops and was advised to take a lot of ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen. It has only been 12 hours and I feel no relief. I'm not sure if it is the pressure from the wick trying to keep my ear canal open or what, but I am getting very little relief from the OTC pain meds or even a heating pad. And when I have to administer the drops it really hurts after they get through the wick. When do I know this isn't working and go back to the DR?
Try and give it a few more days. The wick is designed to allow the medicine to penetrate far enough to treat the swimmer's ear, but improvement may take a few more days.
Report This| Share this:Swimmer's Ear - Satan's WrathTry and give it a few more days. The wick is designed to allow the medicine to penetrate far enough to treat the swimmer's ear, but improvement may take a few more days.
