Perforated eardrum

[surlycurly]

About three weeks ago I had an ear infection that I had treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately they didn't agree with my stomach and so I stopped taking them. Two weeks later I had an excruciating pain in my ear and I then passed out, hitting my face off a radiator on the way down. A night in A&E showed that I had a perforated eardrum and it was probably that that had caused me to pass out. I've been left with a bruised, scarred face and a sore jaw. However my ear is still sore. I've been on another lot of antibiotics which finish tomorrow but I was wondering when I can expect to feel better? I'm still having spells of light headedness and pain. Blood pressure is fine as are all my blood tests/ eeg. It's definitely the ear. I'm supposed to be on holiday this week but am not able to drive any distance for fear of passing out again. I'd appreciate any feedback...

I was in an accident and perforated my eardrum over Xmas 2018. Have you seen an ENT?

I didn't take antibiotics (but it wasn't caused by an infection). I had to not get water anywhere near it. Had to put cotton wool with a bit of Vaseline in it when I showered so that no water got near it.

I was told that they expected it to re heal in around 3 months but a small minority don't heal and those can need a minor operation. They also said that when it does heal, it's thinner than the first ear drum for a while (like a scab healing on a grazed knee) and to continue to be cautious.

6 months after the accident I was signed off by the ENT. It impacted my hearing so I also got referred to the audiology department but that's all sorted now.

It's horrible isn't it, really unpleasant. Has your infection gone as it sounds like you might have one still that is making you dizzy?

Aw thanks for the reply! I can still hear ok but I'm getting ringing in my ears and buzzing that comes and goes. My ear is also itchy and is making me a bit crazy. I also keep cracking my jaw. I can't get water in it either but I've also to watch the scar on my face with water too, although I did finally wash my hair yesterday. It's just been going on for ages and I'm sick of it being sore. I think I will need to speak to the doc again about the on going dizziness. It's wasting my desire to do anything.

Unfortunately I do think it takes 3 months to heal - I had that buzzing, it's awful isn't it!

I would definitely go back with the dizziness though in case you've got another infection as it's really critical that it doesn't get infected again

Poor you, hope you start feeling better soon. What do they think is wrong with your jaw?

Ah they thought I'd fractured it initially. I've hit the radiator then hit the floor. Jaw first. I also think I'm clenching it because my ear is sore. It's making it need to be cracked to stop it seizing up. And yes, the buzzing is grim!!! I will speak to the doc again, thanks for the reassurance x

Oh it was months unfortunately! Bloody burst watching Star Wars. Was agony.
Had to visit gp monthly for them to check that it was healing as it should otherwise I would've needed an op to repair it.

Aw man. Kids seem to have this all the time and they live with it much better than I am. I'm sore and self pitying; the worst combination ever

Can you see an Cranial osteopath or chiropractor? I would want something gentle to help with tension and alignment. In jaw and neck. And all the muscles up and around the scalp and ears.
Just a suggestion x

That's a good idea. I'm due to get stitches out tomorrow and will speak to the GP too. Will see what their thoughts are for next steps xx

Hope it went ok with GP and the ear is healing ok!

Aw thank you. Couldn't see anyone today so have a phone appointment tomorrow to discuss. Did get my stitches out and the nurse thinks it sounds like there could still be an infection. I don't think I can cope with any more antibiotics!

oh no! hope it isn't another infection - surely they would need to look at your ear (you'd hope!).

Gees, I have a permanent perforation in my ear drum (now has a graft over it) due to a type of tumour when i was young. i have had countless ear infections over the years and never been given oral antibiotics for them. Usually get given antibiotic ear drops.

I'd recommend seeing an ENT who can advise you better. As a PP said use cotton balls soaked in vaseline when you shower.

It will affect your balance etc as well so don't climb on any high bars

Thankfully not another infection. She thinks I've had a head injury and that's why I'm still feeling so grim. No more meds and I've to go back in a month. Blood pressure etc all fine. Perforation is more like a tear than a hole apparently so I shouldn't have any more fainting spells. Fingers crossed.

@surlycurly how are you feeling now? Has the buzzing gone??

@Mehripoop Just thought I would say I know how desperate you are feeling - I've had high pitched ringing in my right ear for nearly two weeks accompanied by crackling in it and a tender jaw underneath. I can deal with all the other symptoms but the constant noise is driving me mad. I've been referred to ENT so they can rule out anything serious. I just want the noise to stop!

@FeatherySquawkington thank you for replying. I feel utterly rubbish. It’s worse at night and my anxiety is off the ROOF. It began Monday. I’ve stopped sleeping after 3am. I just wish I knew how to maKe it go away. I’ve had pain on and off for a few months in my ears. I was also given some drops. I was also given some anti depressants a month back of which I tried TWO tablets. I didn’t get this right away so I’m unsure if it’s linked to the ADs or it’s a part of an infection. How did yours begin??

I struggled to fall asleep and stay asleep and was usually awake from 5am but the last few night have been better - I only woke twice last night and fell back to sleep quickly. I have a window open at night which helps provide a bit of background noise. Mine just begin from nowhere. Just woke up with it and it's been there ever since. I have developed a painful jaw on that side since it started so I presume there is some underlying inflammation that causing it. Hopefully if that can be treated then the tinnitus will go. I've been trying my best to not panic about it and keep telling myself it'll pass but every thing I read online says it quite often never goes. How depressing.

I've also been having dizzy spells on and off for months now so I'm guessing there is some underlying issue, hopefully it can be resolved.

@FeatherySquawkington I wish I could open a window. My sons cot is beside the window and he is only 5months- I don’t want him getting ill. Have you spoken to the doctor? I’m hoping mine is linked to an infection or something as I have crackling too. Do you have some sound sensitivity? I literally feel my head thud with certain sounds. My family are putting all of this down to my severe health anxiety since having my son but
Surely it can’t give you tinnitus!

@FeatherySquawkington sorry you’ve said you’ve been referred to ENT. My GP has given me a nasal spray thinking it could be sinus related...

I'm using a nasal spray too. As I sit here now the whole side of my face and neck feels like it's burning up. I don't have any sound sensitivity but when I talk/swallow I can hear a crackle in that ear. Ibuprofen takes the pain away but not the tinnitus unfortunately. I've also read that it can be brought on by anxiety but don't think it's particularly common. The Dr said that your brain does learn to ignore it after a while and to try and not focus on it. That is so so difficult and someone not suffering wouldn't understand how hard it is to have an irritating noise constantly that you can't switch off, so frustrating. I love quiet/silence so this has been hell. I am still holding onto a bit of hope that it'll improve or disappear at some point. If I KNEW it would then I would be able to deal with it better than I am.

@FeatherySquawkington I also love my silence. I used to CRAVE my kids sleeping so I could enjoy the silence and time alone. Now I dread it. These doctors have no idea how hard it is. I agree- if someone told me it will go then I would switch off.

Aw poor you guys- I'm sorry I haven't checked MN for a few days. Started to feel better on Thursday but yesterday the buzzing came back and today I'm sore again. My jaw and ear are bothering me. It's getting boring...

@surlycurly I feel like my anxiety has worsened this whole thing. Il permanently have tinnitus....

@FeatherySquawkington how you feeling today?