Ear Problems & Menieres

[Eve]

Hoping you might be able to assist sqad as I believe ears were one of your areas of expertise.

I have had ear pain (left side only) and a near constant headache over the ear and across my forehead since last weekend and feeling very drained (and grumpy) and just wanting to sleep a lot. Figured I was coming down with something but popped into the walk in centre today as it's been driving me mad to check in case there was any infection.

They said they could see damage in my ear on the tympanic membrane and have given me Otomize spray on prescription and said to keep taking painkillers regularly (been trying not to take them much as it's been a week now), preferably ibuprofen and codeine if needed.

They said to go see my GP immediately if it doesn't clear up soon with the treatment which I will do but am more worried about my ears generally because of the menieres and it making things worse.

Could this be related to my menieres or be at risk of making it worse? Will brace myself with my meds if so - currently try to only take them (stemetil, betahistine and flixonase) on as as needed basis.

Will get in to see my GP if it doesn't clear up soon but any advice very welcome in the meantime :)

[Sqad]

Jenna....I can see no connection between the pain that you have in you left ear and your Menieres Disease and whatever is causing the pain in your ear, will not exacerbate your pre existing problem.

IF and it is a big IF the person who looked in your ear was indeed a doctor and a doctor with ENT experience cleared you left ear from disease, then your earache is referred from somewhere else. However the diagnosis given of "damage" to the eardrum doesnt fill me with confidence.

You sinuses would be a good starting point and if indeed you had any problems with the back of the throat e.g slight difficulty in swallowing, then that would be a focus for investigation.

Take Ibuprofen 600mgms if you can and monitor the situation for a week.

[society]

She has already monitored her situation for a week and is in a bit of a panic as to what else she could do to help her poorly ear.

[Eve]

Thanks Sqad.

I think she was a nurse practitioner I saw, was at the local walk in centre. She had different initials on the prescription pad too, something like ANP or similar I think.

She took my temperature, felt round my ear and jaw asking if any pain there (nope) and then looking in my ears. She said she could see damage right on the tympanic membrane over where my ear drum is - said it looked like a graze.

I do have a bit of a sore throat, right at the back of my mouth at the top where you first swallow than further down in my throat throat if that makes sense though the roof of my mouth is quite sore anyway, I'd just ignored it as figured I'd been coming down with something. She said my throat looked fine.

I got some 200mg ibuprofen when I got my prescription so can triple up.

Thank you for your advice, much appreciated.

[Sqad]

society.....she doesnt seem to be in a panic to me.

Jenna....I would not call a nurse practitioner a good opinion as to the condition of an eardrum. This soreness at the back of your throat needs looking into by a doctor as it could well be the cause of your earache. Early next week would seem appropriate.

[ethandron]

(you're up late tonight sqad)

[Sqad]

eth...LOL....I recorded Hustle....and watched it.......had a shower, smell lovely and dressing gown on. Saw Jenna´s post......so thought.....why not?

[ethandron]

ooh, you devil ;o)

[Eve]

Thanks Society :) It has been a week already. I'm desparate to get right as have just had the week from hell and have so much to sort out, I can't afford to be feeling under the weather.

I know I have been very run down lately as have been working mad hours, every day since I went back after new year, including in at weekends and after having a load of holiday to take pre-Christmas I ended up working most of it and can honestly say it's left me exhausted. Average day is 8am - 7.30/8pm and it's been pretty full on.

Part of the reason I left it so long, figured it was partly my body telling me enough was enough and that it was more than likely I was coming down with something.

[society]

Jenna, we've chatted before and I always think of you and how you are doing. I'm always tempted to ask but don't want to seem nosey or out-of-place. I do hope and pray your condition improve and you get well soon. xx

[Eve]

Bless you sqad :) I'm not so much panicked as deparate to get right, was worried about it affecting the menieres though as so don't need that to start misbehaving more than normal.

I'll see how it goes with the ear spray (seems to have all sorts in it, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic...), ibuprofen and crossed fingers :)

Was a little underwhelmed after meeting the new permenant dr at my surgery (mostly staffed by locums) who didn't seem to understand a lot of what I said, read most of what he said off GP notebook then asked me legal advice.

[Eve]

Awww course I don't mind Society :) Things are a bit rubbish at present - horrible week last week but all will be fine. You are more than welcome to find me on FB if you are on there, have quite a few Abers on there, more the older regulars (as in time around here not age haha) who might be able to let us know who each other is.

[anneasquith]

hi jenna. sorry you are not feeling great, just like to point out nurse practioners are now highly trained and very experienced. for example , our local neonatal unit have nurse practioners and are on the medical rota with the same duties as registrars.

[Eve]

Thanks anneasquith. I have seen some excellent nurses - the ones in the rhumatology and gastro departments I go to are fantastic.

[Eve]

Hmmm just thought, a very recent (as in this last week) former colleague of mine is apparantly ill with tonsillitis, could it be I've picked up something off him with the sore throat.