To puncture my ear drum?

[LilQuim]

I realise anyone remotely medical / sensible will say "ffs woman, STOP!"

I get recurrent sinusitis, got eustachean tube dysfunction & have constantly blocked feeling (plus reduced hearing) in ear. Most of the time ear drum is retracted.

Today ear is so painful. Equalising pressure doesn't work. Sinus spray etc no help.

I am fantasising about puncturing the drum with a needle to relieve pressure. I mean, how can it be worse than if it perforated? Had that happen few times before.

Only time ear has felt ok is when I had grommet in or when on long term antibiotics.

Let. Me. Jab. My. Eardrum!

@Sirrah I know you're right. stamps feet lol

@Whisky2014 Fuck It, I'd do it. Good luck

Hahaha! I like your style!!!

@Sirrah You know heat draws poison/pus out? Hot water bottle might do the job safely.

I've got wheat bag on it. I'll do hot water bottle in bed.

@itsbritneybiatches yes, like that, but also, there's a release of pressure too & you can hear more clearly. It's lovely! 😂

@PeterPiperPickedWrong hahaha. I'm all for tipping Ovaltine down there!

@Comefromaway ughhhhh. Yes, some need surgery to close them. Hope you don't need it.

I've had a shoulder so painful before that I fanticised about a knitting needle making it all better. In the end I got high on codeine (but it still hurt)

@Maegeri I'm hoping it bursts. The pain is in my sinuses too & I'm miserable tonight. Have taken painkillers, but can also take ibuprofen when I go to bed. Fingers crossed!!

I’d do it. I’ve seriously considered drilling a hole in my own face before now (sinusitis, I’m not just weird). Because you know the relief that comes when it bursts and it would just be SO satisfying to get it sorted and have a good nights sleep. Although I have a one year old so I’m not getting one of those anyway 😂😂

@CottonSock I believe that when we have those fantasies, it's our body actually telling us what it needs. You know if your neck hurts, but you know you need to click it?

Please dont theres a chance it wont heal.I have no eardrum its a pain literally.And you could cause yourself untold damage

@NoParticularPattern doctors used to drill holes in patient's heads - it was called trepanning. I googled how to do it myself for a particularly bad migraine!

You don't need any more reason to be sleep deprived!!!! 😂

Having had perforated ear drums in the past, I can relate. The relief when it finally goes.... it's brilliant.

But, yeah, probably not a good idea. I hope you feel better soon.

@dustarr73 ooooooooooh that sounds awful. I think the resounding advice is that I'm an idiot, so I won't do it.

@MrsSeverusSnape the relief is incredible, isn't it?? I had grommet put in a few years back & when she made that incision, it was the same lovely feeling.

@lilquim Bugger! Tried Otovent too? I think you can do a DIY version with a balloon.

OP I feel your ear pain 😫

My ear has been blocked since November. I’ve been to see my GP and tried nasal sprays (which gave me nosebleeds) but I’ve beed told it could take 3 months (nearly there but still no change).

After 3 months have passed I’m going back as a grommet might be an option GP said. Like you, I just want to shove a bloody great knitting needle down there.

Evenings seem to be worse - both pain and tinnitus.

I hear you, OP.

Take care xx

Have you ever had a perforated ear drum? No...thought not. I get what you have but a perforated eardrum is much worse.

@Foraminutethere I might try to blow up my exercise ball! Lol

@HenriettaWasSoHappy it's horrible - esp to last so long! Have you had a grommet? The best thing about that for me was that putting antibiotic ear drops in got straight to the infection. I could feel how sore it was then felt it ease.

@BrizzleMint Have you ever had a perforated ear drum? No...thought not. I get what you have but a perforated eardrum is much worse.

Have you read the thread? No... thought not. I've had several perforated eardrums. Had grommets twice. eye roll

No never had a grommet but my DC has so I kind of know what to expect.

Good luck!

Right OP fellow Eustachean Tube Dysfunctioner here.... I totally understand your frustration. I don’t suffer with much pain but long term advice and stuff you prob already do:

Don’t sleep or lie down completely flat
No dairy
I use the steam mask cup thingy with menthol in and the tube drain out into my throat usually
Always have 3 day Pseudoephedrine handy to dry out the ear
Yawning and all that bull sometimes helps
The valsaver manoveur does fuck all

Short term relief

Hot flannel or hot water bottle against your ear and underneath where the tube is

Its a bloody nightmare. I’ve been suffering for years now and just accept it but the only time I have truly clear ears is when I’m on a water and bloody lemons only detox 🤷🏼‍♀️ Go figure!

I suffered awful ear pain when was younger - I had a lot of boils inside the ear. Grim. Used to think a needle might work but never tried it.

I have found as an addition to the heaviest painkiller you can get your paws on, that Oil of Olbas - dabbed EXTERNALLY around the outside of the ear - can act as a bit of a distraction for a while. With sinusitis, I also dab it round my eye socket (don't let it dribble into you eye though!!)

I hope you get some peace.

@HenriettaWasSoHappy only thing with grommet is washing your hair! It's an arse!! Good luck!!