Water in ears feeling!

[LetMeOut2021]

I had an unremarkable cold several weeks ago, my ears and head felt bunged up. Since I have not been able to shake the feeling of having water in my ears. It comes and goes, when it’s bad I have pain in my jaw/teeth too. It’s really annoying. It feels like I just need to tip the water out but whatever I do it won’t budge.

I have tried syringing my ears (we have a proper kit that my DH uses a lot), nothing came out and it’s definitely made it worse.

Tried pulling my ear lobe and tilting my head.

Tried a hairdryer.

I slept on the worst affected side (but it feels like both are affected) last night and it’s no better.

Ive managed to book a GP appt for next week - any advice.

Did you soft the wax before syringing?

I used some olive oil.

I think the jury is out regarding using oil on ears .
I thought it was no longer considered a good idea, can make it worse by creating a seal.
If it's any help I had same feeling as OP after earning hair once and did all the earlobe and titling stuff. Nothing helped .
But it just gradually disappeared over a couple of weeks.

That’s reassuring thank you.

I had this a couple of years ago, it was an ear infection. Annoyingly, I now get the full ears, popping feeling pretty regularly and GP hasn’t shed any light on why it’s happening.

I was thinking if it was an infection wouldn’t it have gotten worse by now? I might nip to the pharmacy. My local one seems reluctant to actually look though and I think a look would be what determines whether I have an infection or not.

When I syringed them last night I actually felt I’d lost my balance like I might topple over to the left (worst ear).

I’ve had an inner ear and outer ear infection, the water feeling was the inner ear and no, it didn’t get worse. And took a couple of lots of antibiotics to get rid of. The outer ear one was absolute agony. The inner ear one was just that under water feeling, no pain otherwise.

Are your neck muscles tight? I get swimmy ears when mine are. Ditto tight jaw/pain in teeth.

Last time my ears were swimmy (I was convinced it was an infection), I asked the pharmacist to have a look that day: they were delighted to try out their brand new equipment/training course (for free) (although did flog me some OTC eardrops) (which I didn't use and was fine without).

Thank you. I have had an outer ear one I think - it came with tonsillitis and that was agony. This is more annoying. I’ll go to the pharmacy today and wait a week to see the GP!!

I’ve had the exact same thing after a virus back in September, I just can not shift this fluid/bunged up feeling in my ears, it’s worse on my left side as I sleep on that side and it seems to ‘pool’ in that ear canal.
I too have tried drops and using my dh ear irrigation thingy, eased it a little but it’s returned this week.
I can not get into see a nurse or gp until next month.

I had this. Apparently it's common after covid (but I'd tested negative - anyone know how reliable LFTs are these days?)

It just went away all by itself after about 3 weeks - which felt a dreadfully long time whilst it was happening.

Antihistamines, of the sort sold for hay fever, were some help

Thanks everyone. Fed up I have called the GP and am able to see the nurse this afternoon. I feel a bit spaced out with it today. I’m convinced that’s because I syringed it and I’ve just added to the issue.

Syringing may not help, as that's dealing with a blockage in the outer ear.

Covid causes problems in the eustachian tubes which connect middle and inner ear

Best self help is swallowing and yawning and waggling your jaw (does something useful to the ear pressure), and using decongestants; I think with the aims of encouraging the drainage and reducing the viscosity of what needs to drain.

I think doctors sometimes recommend steroids for cases that don't shift

Thanks @DirtyBlonde ive found some lemsip which I’ll try.

It's really annoying isn't it?
I have always had ear problems, build up wax easily and eczema. I get my ears microsuctioned about 2 or 3 times a year. I had exactly what you describe in November and microsuction didn't help, it felt like water sloshing around the back of the ear. I bend over backwards not to bother GP and I knew it needed a combined AB and steroid spray but the pharmacist wasn't allowed to sell it without prescription. The nurse practicioner gave me otomise which cleared it quickly.
I now also have a steroid spray on repeat prescription.

@Pifful really annoying.

I’ve seen a nurse practitioner. Nothing too exciting, ears just red and inflamed but not too bad I don’t think. I’ve been prescribed some antibiotic/steroid drops but she said “ear calm” would have done the same job. Fingers crossed I get some relief.

If you are feeling nauseous and dizzy with it, try the Epley manoeuvre ( google it)

I was very but it does actually work.

@Picklemeyellow how long did it take to clear?

@LetMeOut2021 how are they now?

They’re ok - but I would say they’re still susceptible to the “water in ear” feeling, took months and months for them to feel better. But I think now I’ve had an infection, swimming and even showering can make them uncomfortable.