Chronic Fluid Build-up in Ear - Ear, Nose & Throat Message Board

GreenGal77 · 03-07-2009, 03:21 PM

I have been having problems for over a year now with chronic fluid build-up in my left ear only. It's always the same ear, and this latest occurance started almost ten days ago and hasn't improved at all. It's so painful that Tylenol and Advil don't do anything, and I haven't been able to get any relief. I have tried decongestants, prescription nasal spray, steam...nothing is helping. It's throwing me off balance and making me nauseous and I'm wondering if there is anything else I can be doing.

Sometimes when this happens it gets infected, but I had it checked out yesterday and it still didn't look infected according to my doctor. That being said, I developed a fever last night that just keeps getting worse so I'm not really sure what to make of that. I'm wondering if that means it's starting to get infected. And all around my ear hurts too...like the bone and area surrounding it all the way to my eye.

Anyone have any idea what this could be or what could be causing it? Or suggestions for how to make it feel better?

Thanks!

dolysods · 03-07-2009, 05:54 PM

if you have a fever, call the doctor. It could be infected. I know how you feel.. for years i've went to the doc, thinking surely this time it is infected! but know, it isn't red, just bulging.. take decongestants and advil. Now i can't take any type of nsaid... It has been happening more frequently too..... I recently tried acupuncture and that really drained a lot of stuff out of my head. My ear is doing better. I was about ready to go back to my ENT and ask for a tube to be put in.

Have you been to a ENT?

GreenGal77 · 03-07-2009, 06:37 PM

Thank you for your response. I haven't been to an ENT yet, I think that's the next step. I can call my doctor tomorrow if the fever is still there, but there was a fever when it started too and no infection, the fever broke, and now it's back.

I can take decongestants but I can't take any NSAIDs because I'm very anemic, so that's hard because I know they would probably help more. I've heard tubes mentioned a few times but I thought they only put those in children? I'm just not sure how to keep functioning like this because it is so uncomfortable and gets in the way of so much.

dolysods · 03-07-2009, 07:13 PM

they can put them in adults also. . What would definitely get an appt with a ENT, it is part of their specialty. Heat helps me (rice or corn bag). Also, some times when i get adjusted by my chiropractor, or get a massage they can work on trigger points

GreenGal77 · 03-07-2009, 07:36 PM

Thanks again. I'll definitely keep up with the heat then and try and get an ENT referral, in the meantime I could probably get in for a massage or chiropractor...I'm just wondering how they know what trigger points are for the ear? Although it hurting so much has made my whole neck hurt so at the very least it might help that