Ear "blocked" - any tips?

[igggi]

Have had a cold for over a week, this afternoon it has moved into my ear, which feels "full up" and is getting very painful.
I'm pregnant and so can't just take some sudafed. Any advice before I actually claw my ear off?
TIA!

I posted this last week! Also pregnant. I just waited and it went after about 10 days, gradually better from day 6. I can now hear out of both ears again. Hope yours goes quickly.

eAR drops or olive oil in your ear twice a day.

Belindarose, that is not what I wanted to hear! I could not live with this pain for 10 days!
Have not tried olive oil, not sure what it does iyswim as can't go in inner ear - should give it a shot.
Thank you both.

DH (a doctor) wouldn't let me put anything in mine. The pain didn't last that long, by the way, just the one sided deafness (extremely irritating!).

I must admit I think the proper ear drops work better than the olive oil which I've read is meant to be as good. The ear drops have something in like peroxide (?) which when it gets to the wax breaks the wax down.

Peroxide sounds a bit harsh! I don't think I have wax problem, think it's on the inside of the ear. Oh to be able to just pop lots of pills! Don't think I can have menthol either
It's a double curse - immune system lowered because pregnant, can't take remedies because pregnant. Pah.
Glad about the pain BR!
I may throw self on mercy of a pharmacist tomorrow.
Thank you guys for the solidarity

STEAM! Get your head over a bowl of hot water and sit there breathing it in for as long as you can stand with a towel over your head.

Thanks Shelld, am running the hot tap as I type!

earex i think its called,its expensive but does work,or warm olive oil,and dont put cotton wool in as this sucks all the oil up,just keep head tilted a bit and put an old towel round your shoulders.

Thanks lilmama, going to a chemist today so will have a look

Sounds like you have a blocked eustation (sp?) tube. When blocked it prevents the air equalising and causes deafness and sometimes pain. (Like landing in an aeroplane.) Has nothing to do with wax, although it may be caused by an infection that spreads to outer ear I suppose.
The steam idea is good and could be improved using Vicks or something similar like Olbas oil in the water. Pinching your nose closed and blowing gently at the same time can sometimes work.
I had this condition for so long it turned into "glue ear" and I needed a grommet inserted.When it started to return I found an amazing gadget called an EarPopper in the States. First sign of trouble I use it and have had no problems since. I honestly think it could put all those ENT guys out of business if they were available here and save a lot of unnecessary operations on children.