Help for stuffy ears

[eeyore65]

It all started with a really bad cough. I was at work and my ears completely filled up with fluid - like they were going to burst. This was two weeks ago. Went to Dr. - got a RX decongestant and antibiotics. Was in bed for 6 straight days with both ear pain, fever and cough. Cough finally went a way and ears don't hurt but they are stuffed up. Kind of like on a plane. Went back to Dr. Got steroids for swelling. They did nothing. Went back to Dr. got new RX for antibiotics and ear drops. I am still sort of deaf! Any holistic ideas? Any one heard of anything like this?

I'm so sick of it!

 

[tiggger1]

I have been having ear pressure and I have been using the netipot and gargling alot to help with the Eustachian tube being blocked. I went to the ENT last week and was told it was due to allergies.

 

[mykidsand_i]

I feel for you! I'm having the same problem (just a little different!!!). We flew to Orlando over C-mas break and when we were landing back at our home airport, the last 20 minutes of the flight I had so much ear and head pain I thought I could cry! I went to the Dr. the next morning after a night of horrific pain and she told me that my eustacion tubes swoll shut, trapping all of the fluids from my cold in side of my inner ear. She put me on prednizone (spelling, ????no idea) for 10 days and I am just done with it- I still feel like crap. I've also had meds. for infection. Nothing seems to work. I am desperate just as you are for some 'magic cure' and I feel bad for you! It gets to a point where it messes up your balance, you get dizzy spells and you don't feel right. I know exactly what you're feeling. If you find something that works for you, PLEASE post it!!! I will do the same!

 

[Pakey]

I have chronic allergy and sinus issues and I deal with this every year. It starts in winter and generally doesn't clear up until May. My ENT has tried everything over the past few years and nothing gets rid of it long term (it may clear for a bit but comes right back). Steroids (prednizone) may help you but its no longer effective for me.

The best thing that has helped me is to lay on my back with my head off of the bed with my head tilted to one side for 5 minutes and then I tilt it the other way for 5 minutes. I do this twice a day, every day.

I also use a facial steamer and breathe steam every night to expand the sinus passages. To relieve the discomfort, I apply heat compresses behind my ears.

My ENT told me not to use a neti pot if my ears are hurting.

 

[Nette]

I feel for you! I'm having the same problem (just a little different!!!). We flew to Orlando over C-mas break and when we were landing back at our home airport, the last 20 minutes of the flight I had so much ear and head pain I thought I could cry! I went to the Dr. the next morning after a night of horrific pain and she told me that my eustacion tubes swoll shut, trapping all of the fluids from my cold in side of my inner ear. She put me on prednizone (spelling, ????no idea) for 10 days and I am just done with it- I still feel like crap. I've also had meds. for infection. Nothing seems to work. I am desperate just as you are for some 'magic cure' and I feel bad for you! It gets to a point where it messes up your balance, you get dizzy spells and you don't feel right. I know exactly what you're feeling. If you find something that works for you, PLEASE post it!!! I will do the same!

I went through the exact same thing in Sept 2008. We were flying back from a disney cruise and I actually did cry. It hurt so much.

And I'm still afraid it might happen again. I had such a hard time hearing ANYTHING especially in loud situations where lots of people were talking. It lasted about 6 weeks and then thankfully my ears started to pop and things started to return to normal. I tried everything. Netipot, 2 courses of antibiotics, real sudafed (not that PE junk), steroids, vaporizer... everything. Nothing worked. I thought I would be stuffed up for the rest of my life and it made me want to just crawl in a hole and die. Have faith, and just try to keep yourself well otherwise, they will clear eventually. I really feel for anyone going through that.

 

[mykidsand_i]

I went through the exact same thing in Sept 2008. We were flying back from a disney cruise and I actually did cry. It hurt so much.

And I'm still afraid it might happen again. I had such a hard time hearing ANYTHING especially in loud situations where lots of people were talking. It lasted about 6 weeks and then thankfully my ears started to pop and things started to return to normal. I tried everything. Netipot, 2 courses of antibiotics, real sudafed (not that PE junk), steroids, vaporizer... everything. Nothing worked. I thought I would be stuffed up for the rest of my life and it made me want to just crawl in a hole and die. Have faith, and just try to keep yourself well otherwise, they will clear eventually. I really feel for anyone going through that.

Thanks! I, too, am terrified of flying again!!! For 1st poster- do you have problems with your hearing as well? i was just told by someone at work that there may be a tiny hole in the ear drum and that makes things heal A LOT SLOWER. I'm going back in to the Dr. tomorrow- see what to do. I was told when people have 'ear pain' that they are not suppose to use Netipot (my Dr. told me that)...she said it was just something used for 'conjestion' in the ear and sinuses. Is that true?

 

[eeyore65]

Thanks for the advice. I will try the compresses. Steam has helped a little. I have heard the the eustachian tubes can be very slow to heal so I may just need to be patient. It is just exhausting to try and be able to listen at work or in a crowd. I am really tired at the end of the day from just trying to hear.

 

[Nette]

My family doctor is the one who told me to use a netipot. I hadn't seen an ENT. But then again, I didn't have any ear pain (except on the plane) just congestion and that everything-sounds-like-I'm-under-water feeling.

I totally understand being exhausted just from trying to listen to people at work. It's really really difficult. Hang in there to both of you.

 

[M&N]

My family doctor is the one who told me to use a netipot. I hadn't seen an ENT. But then again, I didn't have any ear pain (except on the plane) just congestion and that everything-sounds-like-I'm-under-water feeling.

I totally understand being exhausted just from trying to listen to people at work. It's really really difficult. Hang in there to both of you.

My dr told me to take Sudafed 30 mg (Pseudoephedrine). I had no pain either.

 

[Best Aunt]

When I had fluid in my ear, the ENT told me to cut way back on sodium. My ears were better in 2 days.

I wouldn't say to ignore any medical advice you receive, but it shouldn't hurt to try this as well (assuming you have no other medical issues).

Once you start checking labels, you won't believe what does -- and doesn't -- have a lot of sodium in it.