Concerned: Flying with a ruptured ear drum??

[onelilspark]

Ok, to start, I have a doctor's appointment at 1pm, so I'm not entirely positive yet that it's a ruptured ear drum. But I've done a little bit of self diagnosis and I've worked myself into a tizzy. Here's the deal:

I just got back from Walt Disney World last Wednesday. On the flight down and back I had incredible pain in my left ear. I lost hearing all while I was down there and I still can't hear. I had a lot of wax in there and I've been using Debrox at the suggestion of my doctor (saw her on Friday.) She didn't want to clear it because there was some blood and she couldn't see my ear drum. Apparently adding the water under pressure could create an infection and that would be a bad idea. So I've been using the Debrox to soften the ear wax, I've been getting some blood along with it As I said, I'm heading back at 1pm today, and now I'm all concerned that I've got myself a ruptured ear drum.

Problem is...I'm heading back down on the 26th for a long weekend to visit my parents and the 28th is my birthday so my boyfriend & I are headed to Epcot. We're really looking forward to it, so I'm concerned that if it is ruptured I can't fly. Plus, when I get back I have to turn around and fly again for work 2 days later. So I've got a lot of flying coming up. I can deal with the pain, I'm a big girl, but I don't want to be partially deaf my whole life because I'm being dumb. I'm sure my doctor will tell me what to do, but I need to know if my mini-freak out is justified

 

[Hoodie]

Hopefully you have enough time to clear up the ear. Docs don't like you to fly when it's blocked.

I ruptured my eardrum as an infant. I have some mild hearing loss on that side, but nothing noticeable.

 

[JimB.]

Hopefully you don't have a rupture, but if you DO, flying should not be an issue.

The rupture would allow pressure between your middle & outer ear to equalize quite easily, rather than having to depend on your Eustachian tubes to accomplish the task.

 

[onelilspark]

Thanks. I'll have to see what the doctor says.

I'm just nervous because I have a history of lousy birthdays. This one was shaping up to be great (heck, even if it rains, I have a back up plan!) So if I can't fly, that would really screw things up!!!