Ear infection not going away?

[RoxMonster]

So I got a bad head cold after Christmas and even though that part of it cleared up, it turned into a double ear infection. I didn't have any pain, but I had a lot of pressure in both my ears and they felt plugged. I also had some head congestion. I went to the walk-in clinic last Friday, she told me both ears had fluid and were infected and prescribed Augmentin for ten days.

I feel like things were improving over the first few days. The pressure alleviated and some of the weird sounds in my ears (like popping, etc) left. My right ear still felt a bit plugged (she said it was the worst one).

But now I'm on day 6 of the ABX and I feel like some of those popping sounds are back and the pressure is returning. I'm on the pills until Monday. I do sometimes still feel like I have some head congestion, especially in the morning when I wake up, but otherwise I don't feel sick and feel fine. Should I wait until the pills are done and go back in on Monday if I'm still suffering with this?

It's uncomfortable and causing me anxiety and I think exacerbating my issues of not sleeping well. Laying down flat makes the pressure in my ears worse.

[kath16]

I’d call your dr and ask. Sometimes you need a different antibiotic to get that specific bacteria so they could prescribe you a new one before Monday if they advise it

[revolution]

I'd call back on the am and talk to a nurse. In the meantime, have you taken an antihistamine and some real Sudafed?

[RoxMonster]

I have not taken Sudafed or anything else.

[annieh22]

I’ve had that happen and used Flonase or afrin to help with the ear pressure and popping as it dries up the fluid in there. Might be something to try if your dr recommends finishing the antibiotic before reevaluating.

[RoxMonster]

You know, she did recommend taking Flonase and I totally forgot about it until you just mentioned that. Oops!

[RoxMonster]

I will definitely start doing Flonase and may also try Sudafed. Right now for instance, my nose/head feels more stuffed up than my ears. I think I just have a bunch of shit in my head that needs to leave lol.

[wanderingback]

Was this your regular doctor? Honestly to me that doesn’t sound like a bacterial ear infection. It sounds like you have Eustachian tube dysfunction and OTC meds would be the best solution. Antibiotics won’t help that. Adults very rarely get bacterial infections in both ears and fluid behind both tympanic membranes while being sick/congested is classic for Eustachian tube dysfunction. Time should improve things but otc meds like Flonase, Afrin and Sudafed can help improve things if you’re uncomfortable.

[RoxMonster]

wanderingback, This was at a walk-in clinic. I just went in after work last week. I'm actually currently in the process of getting set up with a PCP so I don't have a regular doctor right now.

[dcn]

I once had a sinus and ear infection but the ear congestion lasted a couple of weeks.. I took Sudafed, Flonase, did sinus rinse. It just took a long time to fully clear. It was miserable bc I could barely hear out of one side.

[devonpow]

I have ear issues a lot, including ruptured ear drums with ear infections. I agree to try sudafed (the one you get behind the counter!) and Afrin - just don’t use the Afrin more than 3 days! It can still take a long time to clear the fluid but it will help. If you start having pain or no improvement at all with meds for a few days go back.

[Patsy Baloney]

So, I had an odd ear fluid situation that popped up out of nowhere and just would not clear with regular Sudafed, allergy regimen (Allegra, Flonase, etc.), and various other OTC meds. I, as a Hail Mary, bought something called an Otovent that is used to help clear glue ear. That thing is AMAZING. It’s a little plastic round valve that you slip inside a stiff balloon, and then you blow the balloon up with your nose. Your ear will usually pop and clear the fluid with that action, but if it doesn’t, you allow the balloon to blow air back into your nose, which helps open your Eustachian tubes and get air behind the fluid to push it out. It was like a miracle. I struggled for months, and once I started using the Otovent frequently during the day, my Eustachian tubes seemed to get their act together, the fluid drained, and my hearing returned to normal.

I love using that thing now when I’m getting over a cold. “Underwater” hearing drives me batty!

[RoxMonster]

So I did Flonase and Sudafed this morning (well Sudafed twice, as I took the 4-6 hour version. I won't take it again today as I don't need any more trouble with sleeping!). I do already feel less congested and less pressure in my head/ears, so I'm hoping this will be the thing I need. Thanks for the advice.