I'm very interested in making sure my situation is exactly right and not just similar to other peoples... so I've not seen the same situation as mine yet.

My problem is linked (certainly) to something that I've always had. I think I have an excessive earwax buildup problem. Over the last 7 years or so my ears clog up with wax very easily. I listen to music compulsively (probably 50% of the time in headphones - when I was younger I would listen to the music very loudly in them) and I have always had a problem sticking the Q-tip in too far. So... I've been having a problem the last few years of my ears clogging if I sleep on either side. I'm sure it's a massive wax thing that clogs them (though my left side more than the right). The other night my left ear became clogged and I could not unclog it. So, I tried a few remedies in the following order over the period of about three hours. Warm water gently squirted into my ear from a bulb - rubbing the ear (from the outside) around a bit and letting it drain. Nothing. Than, a little research and - rubbing alcohol. Nothing. .... burned when it rain into my nose though (ha!) Than, to the store and bought a ear de-glogger kit (don't remember the brand off the top of my head). Used it - rinsed with warm water. Worked MOSTLY... but not completely. Left alone for the rest of the day - stayed pretty much MOSTLY unclogged. Went to sleep, slept on that side, clogged again. So so during the day. By evening it was bugging me enough to try it again. So, the de-clog kit from the store again. Tried it. Forgot to rinse immediately. However, after rinsing and trying things like... rubbing my ear, sticking my pinking in (only to ... you know, get the "pop" and not really sticking it in too far) and even (gently) using the bulb in a suction fashion - now it's worse than it ever was.

So here I am. I'm not hot on going to the doctor - so I want to make sure I try everything first.

My jaw DOES hurt in that area when I try to clamp down. Also, from the liquid still in there from yeterday, my ear hurts a little on the inside still too. ... maybe even more so since this evening. UPDATE: Also of note - when I burp, it tends to sound open/unclogged for a part of the burp.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thanks in advance,

Joe

Joe,

I get clogged ears and fluid buildup. It usually happens from allergies/sinus infections. I really think you should go to a doctor, you could have an ear infection. Do you have any sinus symptoms?

Also, I would stop trying to clean it out yourself. That could be dangerous. The jaw thing could be TMJ? Do you have a toothache at all? I get terrible ear problems when I have a toothache.

Rita,

Thanks for your reply. The following day of my posting, my ear slowly "de-clogged". I'm thinking it may have been sinus related as I think I was, pardon, spitting the clogging matter up.

My ear will still clog up if I sleep on that side at night - but in less than an hour it's usually back to normal.

Also, no toothaches specifically. Just pain in that area. I think I may have had an ear infection for a little while. But everything is fine now.

Thanks!