Earache - Help! I've gone deaf!

[Zebraa]

I've had a really, really bad cold since last Monday, it gradually got worse and feels like it's getting a tiny bit better, except I've had earache since yesterday afternoon and I can't hear out that ear!

I've lost my sense of smell and taste too pretty much.

Any idea how long it lasts and is there anything I can do? Also, anyone have any miracle earache cures? NOTHING is working so far and everytime I swollow/yawn it hurts like mad!

Bump! Ladieeeeeees

Snap - except without the cold bit. Had earache yesterday but only really when I woke up. This morning not been able to hear out of my right ear properly. Tried ear drops in case it was wax, but doesn't appear to have done anything

My mum told me it's due to all the horrid cold fluids building up in the ear canal or something and it takes a few days to settle down. I can't handle the pain! It's driving me mental!!

I had exactly the same last week, after having flu.

Turned out it was an ear infection and I needed anti-bi's.

I can just about hear properly now, although my ear is still popping a lot.

Oh god, does that mean I have to go get anti-b's (it's a nightmare when I do... am allergic to penicillin and intolerant of erythromyacin ... they never want to prescribe me anything else)... is it likely to be an ear infection if I haven't had any other cold/flu symptoms?!

I've got the same thing after a cold and its lasted 10 days so far. i saw the dr last week who said it was just sinuses and not infected. he suggested trying to 'pop' it like you would when on a plane, steam and paracetamol.

I might be reading that incorrectly babypringle, but it sounds like your dr was suggesting trying to get you to perforate your ear drum?!! I know it can give immediate relief and allow the fluid build up behind the ear drum drain out. However, it also can lead to deafness (temporary and in some cases longer term), more prone to middle ear infections and generally feeling lousy. (Can you tell I have been struggling with ear issues for a while now!! I did as a child and now my DD1 has spent the Christmas holiday in pain with a perforated ear drum that did not stop hurting on perforation).
Many GPs will not treat ear infections within 48 hours of presenting symptoms as they believe that most will clear up without AB intervention. If you can bear it, I would try to give at least a full 72 hours with pain relief and see if it subsides naturally. If not, or if gets worse ( or additional symptoms like mega high temp, vomiting with the pain, total loss of hearing, breathless etc etc) then obviously call your GP.

Oh! Just read your OP a little more carefully looks like you have already had a mega heavy cold and this could well be a secondary infection. Perhaps worth ringing your GP tomorrow morning in that case - sorry!
(3 out of 4 of us are on ABs in the house and I am feeling fuzzy headed, not thinking straight - and obviously talking from experience not a medical expert)

So I need to just stock up on paracetamol and steam and wait it out?

Do you suggest I go to the Drs? I'm away from home so will have to go to the local Drs

xmaspud - that's what the dr said! he also said that it is not infected at all and was just a side effect of the horrible cold/flu/virus thingey that seems to be going around at the moment. But after what you've said I think I might stop trying to pop it for now Zebraa - if you can get an appt it can't be a bad thing to be checked out, but around here there are apparently no appointments available until next week so waiting it out is the only option.

Trying to "pop" it like you would on a plane suggests yawning, sucking on a boiled sweet etc, not taking a sharp needle to your ear

omg I didn't mean using a sharp needle , just trying to use air pressure when blowing my nose and yawning lots, that sort of thing.

Thanks babypringle for the "just sinuses" idea that you gave me.

Although my normal sinus problems weren't present (swelling just under eye and by nose) I went to bed last night with a dose of flixonase, antihistamine and nurofen plus. Within about a half an hour there was an almighty crackling sound and I could hear properly again! It's not been too bad this morning. So mine seems to be sinussy and not ear infectiony at least.

How are you feeling this morning, Zebraa?

Dr says I have an horrible ear infection and has prescribed me amoxicillin - 3 a day for one week. Roughly how long before I notice a difference??

RubberDuck - I feel dreadful. I feel so bunged up and can't hear anything and my ear aches when I so much as swollow!!

Oh no

ABs when I've had them for other things have generally made a difference within the first 24hrs, so make it through today and it gets better here on in.

Woo! Thanks RubberDuck!!