Middle Ear Infection

    • Anonymous
      October 20, 2007 at 10:29 am

      I’m going on two months with my left ear completely plugged up. Been to doc and took steriods and augmentin. No change. Regular doc wants to send me to ENT doc and probably get a tube put in (my ear is free of wax). I cannot afford this with my $1,500 deductible on my insurance.

      Anyone have a strange cure for this? The roaring and ringing is driving me crazy… more than usual. It all started with a flu like cold crap. I’m taking allergy stuff and steriod ear drops to no avail.

      I know we all have lots of regular health problems and figure surely someone here has some advice… I’m counting on you guys 🙂 Oh, I have had ear problems most of my life but never this bad.

      Thank you all in advance for your opinions!

    • Anonymous
      October 20, 2007 at 1:37 pm

      Chrissy,

      My left ear has been doing that for years. My ENT and doc told me to pinch both nostrils so no air comes out and gently blow NOT HARD!

      Do this several times a day. It will pressurize your ear and cause the fluid to move. Be careful when you do it…sometimes you can get dizzy. I always make sure I am sitting down. It may take several days to come unclogged.
      Sometimes I can hear crackling and popping.

      Another relief is to heat up a washcloth and hold behind ear. A hot water bottle also works.

      Good Luck!
      Rhonda

    • Anonymous
      October 20, 2007 at 3:49 pm

      Chrissy, I don’t have a good answer for you, I too have crazy ringing in the ears most all of the time. In the hospital, I had the weirdest trouble hearing. I could not hear all “tones”. I see you live in OKC – I am a;) Oklahoma gal, too! I use the drops for swimmers ears – that is half vinegar and half rubbing alcohol – and get minor relief. I tried some over the counter stuff for ear ringing and it did no good. :rolleyes: If the ent gives you any advise – please share! Alma GBS MFv 1993 and 2004.

    • Anonymous
      October 20, 2007 at 6:51 pm

      Chrissy,
      Echinacea extract is good and so is golden seal – alternating them. Olive leaf will also help. I usually take four pills at a time – twice a day. Of course, I would be sure I was taking at least eight grams of vitamin C a day. Actually, I take eight grams normally so I woud be taking maybe 16 grams if I wanted to get rid of it. Also, cut out all milk products until you get better. Instead of giving your body steroids, why not just boost your immune system and let your body fix your ear infection.
      Carolyn – GOOD medicine woman

      I found that EES worked better for my ear infections . I started getting ear infections when I came down with Legionaire’s Disease – before that, I didn’t get them. EES worked best for me – not augmentin.

    • Anonymous
      October 22, 2007 at 11:08 am

      Thanks for your info Carolyn. I am taking a pill of ester c – can’t remember how strong it is. I take a couple of these a day along with my regular vitamin supplement.

      I hate to admit, but I may have to stop milk for a while. I drink a gallon a week and have all my life. At least one side effect of that is my bones are in good shape.

      I am doing the ‘gently’ blowing with my nose plugged, even though the dr. told me not to. Unless money situation changes, I won’t be going the specialist.

      I’ve got to brag on my cat Tigger… I was sleeping with my plugged ear up and did not hear my alarm clock this morning and he got me up before it was way too late!!! He’s paying for his keep again 🙂 Such a good kitty!

      P.S. Alma, where are you in this 100 year old state?

    • Anonymous
      October 24, 2007 at 10:24 am

      Hi Chrissy. I have an alarm-cat, too! I live near Eufaula, now. We moved here from OKC (Happy 100 to you, too!) I had to drive back 135 miles to the hospital when I got GBS again in 2004. It was quite an ordeal for my husband, 2 dogs and cat! Are your ears still ringing? I think our bountiful pollen this year has made this worse. I am going to try Carolyn’s suggestions of the herbs and supplements.
      Alma
      GBS MFv 1993 and 2004

    • Anonymous
      October 24, 2007 at 9:10 pm

      Alma and Chrissy,
      I looked up ringing in the ears and this is what it said.(I have not tried it but the book is reputable.)
      Mix one teaspoonful of salt and one teaspoonful of glycerine (sold in drugstores) in one pint of warm water. Use a nasal spray bottle to spray each nostril with the solution until it begins to drain into the back of the throat. Spray the throat with the mixture as well. Do this several times a day.
      If you have symptoms of ringing in the ears, dizziness, bleeding or bloody discharge, sudden pain ( or a sudden lessening of pain), and hearing loss in one or both ears – you might have a ruptured eardrum.
      Hope this helps. If you decide to try it, let me know if it works.