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Original poster

Fluid in inner ear - please help!

21 replies

KoalaDownUnder · 07/05/2017 04:33

I have had fluid sloshing around in my inner ear (I.e. behind eardrum) for months now. It suddenly got worse a few weeks ago, so I went to the GP and was prescribed antibiotics plus a steroid nasal spray.

I took the full course of antibiotics and it seems to have halted the infection, but the actual fluid is still there! And worse, if anything.

It's driving me mad. Has anyone had similar and how did you get rid of it?!

OP posts:
picklemepopcorn · 07/05/2017 06:13

No idea, sorry. Maybe the body rea sorbs it when the infection has gone, or maybe you keep taking the spray, the sinuses open up and it drains. (Bump)

Original poster
KoalaDownUnder · 07/05/2017 07:50

Thanks for the bump!

Body is supposed to reabsorb it, but it's just not happening, and it's been literally months.

Dr Google says that the next step is having an ear drain inserted, but would love to avoid that if anyone knows an alternative Sad

OP posts:
Intransige · 07/05/2017 07:53

It should drain through the Eustachian tube into your sinuses. Do you feel blocked up/muffled in your ear?

If the steroid nasal spray didn't work to open the tube I would try another round of steroid nasal spray while taking NSAIDs - that's what I was told to do by my GP when I had a blocked Eustachian tube.

If that doesn't work to open things up I'd ask your GP for a referral to an ENT. Long term problems with the Eustachian tube can lead to hearing loss, it really does need to be dealt with.

Original poster
KoalaDownUnder · 07/05/2017 08:31

Thanks Intransige.

I felt deaf in that ear before I took the course of antibiotics. Now I can hear better, but I can hear sloshing when I move my head suddenly. And the sinus cavity next to my nose on that side is aching.

I will get another steroid nasal spray and keep going. Just so sick of the dull aching in my face, and whooshing/sloshing in my ear.

OP posts:
browneyesblue · 07/05/2017 08:47

I don't know if it's the same thing, but DS had glue ear that didn't resolve by itself. After months of 'watchful waiting' we were told that if he still had glue earbat the next appointment, they would refer him for grommets.

Looking for alternatives to try in the meantime, we heard of something called an Otovent (it may have been on here). It cost less than £10, we bought it at Tesco pharmacy, and it did the trick in a few days. It's a little plastic thing with a balloon in the end, and you use it by inflating the balloon with your nostrils!

Apologies if what you have is nothing like glue ear though.

Original poster
KoalaDownUnder · 07/05/2017 09:14

Oh, that's interesting! I think it's the same thing, just that it's usually called glue ear in children. I'll give it a try, thanks!

OP posts:
picklemepopcorn · 07/05/2017 12:52

Sounds like that thing of making your ears pop by blowing your nose. So anti inflammatories like ibuprofen, more nose spray, and blowing a balloon up with your nose. Sorted!Grin

Original poster
KoalaDownUnder · 07/05/2017 15:22

pickle, maybe...now I've read somewhere that the nasal spray can exacerbate the problem if used for too long, though. Argh! Sad

OP posts:
louloulottie · 07/05/2017 15:34

I had this.... for months on end! It's terribly annoying, mine also had a slightly smelly watery substance coming out of it. Doctors referred me to ENT specialist who said I had a reoccurring ear infection ( which I did know about one weekend as my ear canal completely closed up with infection and it was so sore I couldn't even touch my ear or the surrounding tissue) anyway before the awful infection doctors gave me a nasal spray & a device to help open up my ear canal ... now this sounds strange but it did work combined with the nasal spray - it was a balloon & a little nozzle that you stuck up your nose to blow the balloon up ( through your nose via the nose nozzle thing ) and then you let the balloon deflate & you swallowed the air... I repeated this a couple of times a day, combined with the nasal spray it did clear my ear & the fluid drained. I had glue ear which then ultimately led to very bad ear infection but you can just get the glue ear with no infection . I will look for the link I used on you tube that was helpful with using the balloon therapy device .....

louloulottie · 07/05/2017 15:38

This link explains the balloon procedure well... ask your doctors for it. Also don't get any more water in the blocked ear - ENT specialist advised me to put cotton wool in the blocked ear & smother it with Vaseline to seal it - as the Vaseline provides a water shield and prevents water from shower getting into the ear. Hope this helps : )

Original poster
KoalaDownUnder · 07/05/2017 15:39

loulou, that sounds brilliant! I need something like that balloon thingy, I reckon.

I have literally had it for months on end, it's so annoying!!

OP posts:
Original poster
KoalaDownUnder · 07/05/2017 15:40

Thank you!! Flowers

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louloulottie · 07/05/2017 15:47

I'm pleased it's given you some hope! Don't forget to keep the ear dry! When you are advised to keep it dry you are thinking how can I do that ? With washing hair etc ... it is possible with the cotton wool & Vaseline ... although it's a bit gross after you get out of the shower & you have to wipe all the Vaseline from your ear, when I say smother it in Vaseline it actually mean smother it, scoop some out and smother it all over the top of the cotton wool & around it to form a waterproof plug. So yes your ear can be kept dry when showering 👍🏻

Original poster
KoalaDownUnder · 07/05/2017 15:50

👍Smile Thanks again, and fingers crossed (before I poke a hole in my own ear with a skewer)!

OP posts:
louloulottie · 07/05/2017 15:52

Oh I went through the stage of wanting to chop my ear off. You are not alone. Good luck ☘️

Banderchang · 07/05/2017 17:58

I had this last year and used Otovent after a recommendation on here. Sorted it right out! Got mine from Boots and it was less than a tenner. DS thought I looked hilarious, but it did the trick! Good luck, it's such an annoying thing!

Original poster
KoalaDownUnder · 07/05/2017 22:48

Banderchang, I've just been googling Otovent - interesting!

Did it actually cause your Eustachian tube to drain, and get rid of the fluid?

OP posts:
Banderchang · 08/05/2017 17:40

Yes, it did! I was sceptical, and had been asking my gp for a referral to ent because I was just so fed up with my ear being blocked all the time. Looked on here, tried Otovent, it was better in about 10 days. Now, a year later, still no problems. Nothing to lose by trying, I don't think, as it's just a balloon. Good luck!

Original poster
KoalaDownUnder · 10/05/2017 15:27

Bump

The Otovent is apparently very hard to come by in Australia. So, while I decide whether it's worth paying extortionate shipping and handling, and waiting 10+ days for delivery...any other suggestions?

(Before I claw out my muffled, sloshing, aching, itching inner ear Sad)

OP posts:
Original poster
KoalaDownUnder · 10/05/2017 20:05

Intransige, my google-fu must be broken! Thank you Flowers

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