I went to the doctor May 5, 2003 and was diagnosed with bronchitis. I was given an anitbiotic and expectorant. That helped my bronchitis but now I have had a stopped up ear. This started a few days after taking the meds. I went back to the doctor about the ear and was given a decongestant and Flonase nasal spray. I took that a week with no results at all. I went back to the doctor last Tuesday and he gave me Prednisone for the stopped up ear. This hasn't helped one bit.

My ear left ear feels blocked/stopped up, when I lean over to my left it clears up temporarly. This makes me think there is fluid in it somewhere. At night when I go to bed I can hear my heartbeat in that ear and I seem to have the ringing in my ear all the time. It is about to drive me crazy, going to the doctors don't help at all.. Is there anyone out there that can tell me what I can do to relieve this problem. I would be ever so grateful. Thank you.

Radrose,

There is DEFINITELY fluid in your middle ear. It may abate with time.
There is a little trick involving ventilating the ear with the nose held close and an alternate GENTLE blow-suck cycles.
Ask your doctor to show you how....DON'T try it yourself because if you blow too hard you can damage the eardrum.

Along with the decongestants take long steamy showers or even better, a steamroom to "wet" the gunk in the middle ear and allow it to drain. Swallow a lot, and drink plenty of hot tea with lemon. ANything to moisurize the channels.
The stuff has to thin out and work it's way down your eustachian tube.

There are also things that the MD can inject into the tubes from your throat with a "spraygun" of sorts to help them drain.

LAST is to go through the eardrum surgically...(I know- sounds ghastly)

Zip2play, thank you so much for your reply. I will try what you suggested, it makes more sense then what my doctor has told me so far.. If it works, the check is in the mail !!!! Oh yes, would a heating pad help at all?

Thanks again,
Radrose

Zip2Play,
I tried what you suggested and it WORKED!!! My ear finally cleared up today..after 31 days of misery.. Folks the meds just don't help believe me, it is just a waste of money..It just takes a little time and LOT of patience..

Radrose,

I'm SO glad it worked for you.
A heating pad won't do the trick, it must invole hot moisture breathing in and out. Heating Pad is dry heat.

Keep up the techniques for a couple days to make sure everything clears out.