Have I perforated my eardrum?

[QueenOfCats]

I have had a cold and today when I blew my nose I almost passed out, literally.

I had a very loud screeching noise and terrible pain in my right ear, and the most intense dizziness I have ever felt. I really thought i was going to faint. I lost the hearing in that ear completely for about an hour.

Have been taken ibuprofen and paracetamol and the pain has almost gone but my ear feels funny, a slight feeling of pressure.

Any thoughts?

[gilmoregirl]

it could be a burst ear drum yes. I had that just after I had DS and it was agony.

Has any stuff come out of your ear? Lots of gunky stuff came out of mine.

Poor you hope it gets better soon.

[QueenOfCats]

Thanks Gilmoregirl

Nothing has come out of my ear but its still sore. Not as bad as yesterday though, which is good. Will see how it goes - thanks again

[fledtoscotland]

Could be. I had a cold and ear infection last spring. Flew down to London and initially by ear had a high pitched squeal noise followed by an audible pop which scared the bejesus out of me along with the people either side of me as I jumped. Felt much better after but still tender

[ReallyTired]

I suggest you go to the doctor. A perforated ear drum is usually accompanied by a mountain of disgusting gunk if its caused by a cold.

I would be surprised if the pressure of a sneeze would be enough to cause a perforation.

[QueenOfCats]

Fled - sounds awful, sounds like what happened to me, the noise was horrendous!

Really - it wasn't when I sneezed, but when I blew my nose.

The dizziness really scared me though, I really don't know how I kept upright. I was in the car at the time too (parked as I had just dropped my mum off) lucky DP was with me and drove home.

I feel a bit silly going to the Dr about it though.....

[calypso2008]

Don't think you have Queen I have just recovered for a 'medium sized perforation' and it took 8 weeks to hear again in that ear. You would be deaf in it, completely - it is truly horrible.

How are you feeling today? Either way I would go to the doctor. If it is perforated you will need antibiotics and to be careful to not get water in it. (Real pain washing your hair)

It is possible to perforate your eardrum by sneezing etc - you should be careful now to not blow your nose too much

Fingers crossed you are ok.

[QueenOfCats]

Thanks calypso

Much better today so I'm assuming that I haven't done anything to drastic to my ear! Still feel generally bunged up so have tried sudafed and steam, olbas oil etc to try and shift it.

Ear feels slightly dull iykwim, but I think it's just general congestion. Thanks for asking