I have an ear infection!

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

In 1982 I got tubes put in my ears (I was 14 years old) for the first and only time. In 1986 I went canoeing and capsized and one of the tubes came out. Every now and then I get an ear infection in that ear.

The other tube is STILL in my ear and when I saw the doctor who put them in at an appointment I had in 2000, he said I was his record tube holder! :) It's been 25 years and this tube is still in my ear. But now the ear is infected and my gland under my ear is swollen and painful. Tomorrow I'll go to a doctor or the ER (I don't have a GP yet!) and get some antibiotics before I get a fever and stuff. It's too HOT to have a fever!! :)

I would appreciate your prayers! :)

[Birgit Kerr]

Uggghhh ! I hope it gets better soon! {{{{HUGS}}}}

[Linda Paulson]

Oh dear Stacey!!...I'll try to pray your ear infection away!!!

In the meantime - try some Ibuprofen to help with the pain, but also to help with the swelling. (take it with food!)

Get some nasal decongestant spray - something like Afrin (oxymetazoline)...best if you can find drops instead of spray. But if you use the spray, hold the bottle almost upside down or horizontally so that it comes out as drops instead of a spray But don't squirt hard...you don't want a huge stream of the liquid coming out.
Now lay down with your head tilted toward the bad side and use some of the nasal drops. The object is to try to get the decongestant to flow somewhat into the sinus area and hopefully "decongest" the eustachian tube. If you can get the tube to open a little it'll relieve some of the pressure and pain.

Hope that made sense....I've recommended this to a LOT of moms over the years.

(Note...I normally don't recommend nasal spray ever because if you use them for more than 3-5 days you can get a nasty case of nasal rebound. And the problem is that they work so well that people don't want to stop using them in just a few days. So this is one of the only circumstance s where I recommend it's use. The other time is before plane trips.)

Take care of yourself sweetie! (((HUGS)))

[Stephanie]

Uggghhh ! I hope it gets better soon! {{{{HUGS}}}}


Um, I was BORN in 1982...:D:D:D

But I had tubes in my ears in 84 and a second set to replace the first in 86. Occasionally I'll get an ear infection. They are so not fun. My dad gets them a lot still, and it makes him nausous.

HUGS to you and here's to hoping the throbbing stops.

My mom use to heat up a towel in the microwave (a dry one) for about 30 seconds for me to hold on my ear...

[Amy Eileen]

Oh Stacey, sorry to hear this. I, unforunately, know exactly how you feel. I am the queen of ear infections and Connor is following in my footsteps. These are the steps I take and it helps. I have this wonderful little bottle with a liquid called Auralgan that numbs the area and helps reduce inflamation. You just put a warm drop in your ear and lay down so it says inside OR you can use a cotton ball. I like to lay down and put a warm cloth over the ear. And of course, grab some Tylenol and you will feel better in no time.

[Jen]

Oh I feel for you earaches are just not fun at all. Hope it starts to feel better soon.

[Sandersmr]

Poor Stacey!!! I haven't had an ear infection in years but I know the pain - and I was one that started getting them as an adult.

[ScrapMel]

Oh, Stacey! I am sorry - being in a new place and getting sick like this can't be fun! I am winging prayers your way to get over it quickly and as painless as possible!

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Thanks for your prayers and suggestions! I'm going to find a doctor right now OR head to the ER. I can feel the swelling has increased on my left gland and it's uncomfortable. :) I have been taking ibuprofen for pain, so I'm ok with that, but I still cannot hear.

[yhalos]

:( Oh Stacey , I'm so sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. Please take care of yourself. Ear infections can be pretty painful..will definitely be
praying for your quick recovery...(((((((((hugs))))))))

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Um, I was BORN in 1982...:D:D:D
Oh, you are a little snot, Stephanie! :)

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

WOO HOOO!! I just made an appointment with a GP for 1 pm today. So, I now have a GP and a same-day appointment. Thanks for your prayers!

[ArtcTrish]

Hope you feel better soon!

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Get some nasal decongestant spray - something like Afrin (oxymetazoline)...best if you can find drops instead of spray. But if you use the spray, hold the bottle almost upside down or horizontally so that it comes out as drops instead of a spray But don't squirt hard...you don't want a huge stream of the liquid coming out.
Now lay down with your head tilted toward the bad side and use some of the nasal drops. The object is to try to get the decongestant to flow somewhat into the sinus area and hopefully "decongest" the eustachian tube. If you can get the tube to open a little it'll relieve some of the pressure and pain.
(((HUGS)))
Ok, I have Afrin and also some ear drops for wax removal. The doctor couldn't see anything in my ear but a big ol' glob of wax. The pain has begun to throb in my sinus area and now I'm going to have Alannah put drops in my ears and then do the nasal spray, Linda. THANK YOU!! :)

[Donna]

Oh dear Stacey!!...I'll try to pray your ear infection away!!!

In the meantime - try some Ibuprofen to help with the pain, but also to help with the swelling. (take it with food!)

Get some nasal decongestant spray - something like Afrin (oxymetazoline)...best if you can find drops instead of spray. But if you use the spray, hold the bottle almost upside down or horizontally so that it comes out as drops instead of a spray But don't squirt hard...you don't want a huge stream of the liquid coming out.
Now lay down with your head tilted toward the bad side and use some of the nasal drops. The object is to try to get the decongestant to flow somewhat into the sinus area and hopefully "decongest" the eustachian tube. If you can get the tube to open a little it'll relieve some of the pressure and pain.

Hope that made sense....I've recommended this to a LOT of moms over the years.

(Note...I normally don't recommend nasal spray ever because if you use them for more than 3-5 days you can get a nasty case of nasal rebound. And the problem is that they work so well that people don't want to stop using them in just a few days. So this is one of the only circumstance s where I recommend it's use. The other time is before plane trips.)

Take care of yourself sweetie! (((HUGS)))

OK LINda- are you SURE you're not a nurse!!!!

:D

[MommySpice]

Hope you feel better soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Linda Paulson]

OK LINda- are you SURE you're not a nurse!!!!

:D

LOL...No Donna....I'm a DRUG DEALER!!! :D
(have a license for it too!)

[sweetp]

Oh I feel for you Stacey, hope you get better soon. My son as an eight year old used to get ear infections really badly, he loved his water sports at this time but wasn't allowed to go swimming unless he had his earplugs AND wore a bathing cap, can you imagine how un-cool that was to an eight year old ;) . Wore it though as swimming meant so much to him.

[TiffanyJewel]

OMG OCHHH feel better soon sweets!!

[lvg4him]

I never got tubes (my parents refused) but had ear infections all the time growing up. I know how painful they can be. Praying for you.

[Bek, aka opeysmama]

Stacey YUCK! Ooooweeee!! Okay how are you doing? I'll keep you on my prayer list for a swift recovery. How miserable with all you have going on anyway...HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[showme]

Oh, no! Now I know I'm older than dirt! My oldest daughter had 15 ear infections before she was two years of age. The treatment? Penicillion and a myringotomy (in case that's a new word...it means...take a knife and pierce the ear drum to let the infection out) were the treatments of the day. Tubes were unheard of!

Back to the topic...Stacey...I hope you have relief from your pain. An ear ache can be the worst ever pain...You just can't seem to pat it, stroke it, touch it...it's elusive.

[vanillalatte]

Oh, sweetie! I'm so sorry you've been sick! I had an ear infection while I was pregnant with Marissa and I remember how miserable I was. I had the same thing happen where the doc couldn't see because there was so much wax. After I was on the drops for 3 days, I went back and they flushed my ear with warm water and a bulb syringe. I couldn't believe how much JUNK came out!! YUCK!

You are in my prayers, and I hope your ear feels better soon!

By the way, if you're interested in a home remedy for the pain, try a half teaspoon of warm olive oil. Pour it directly into your ear and the plug it with a cotton ball. My grandmother use to do that for us when we were little, I still remember the soothing feel of the oil going into my ear!

[Lisa Dozier]

UGG_ so sorry - am a bit slow around here! Hoping you are all improved by now and sending BIG Hugs!!!!!

[rlma]

Yuck! Ear infections are no fun! I hope you get to feeling better soon!

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

UPDATE: I went back to the doctor's and my tube is still in! She was incredulous. I do have some hearing loss, so I got a referral to an ENT specialist. My ear has been popping and my hearing has been going "on and off: all day. It doesn't hurt anymore, but tonight I watched TV and had the volume up way more than normal. YIKES!

[Amy Eileen]

Oh wow, I hope it all clears up for you!

[TifLyn]

Ok, 1st of all - I am so sorry you are not feeling well. I too can attest to the mind-numbing pain of an ear infection. Have had them for years, pretty bad one (like there's a "good" one? LOL). My worst experience was when I was 14. When back East to visit my BF and grandma. Got an ear infection while there, didn't want tell anyone, mom would have worried about her dau so far from her... And well, lets just say that an inner ear infection and a plane trip don't mix! Um, I was beyond pain by the time I landed home. Turns out I ruptured my eardrum, no remenants left. Luckily, it's like a fingernail and grows back... Learned to be honest about when I have them now. Tho I suffered nerve damage in a reverse way. Can't tell I have one now til it's full blown and almost too late to get to a doc... Hmmm.... And I'll share all about my poor mom, she suffers from nerve pain from an ear infection - the reverse of mine. The pain is always there, 24/7, whether she has an infection or not. Since 1979! And not much relief to be given....
And 2nd! Stacey! I found you! It's been ages, and I've missed you! I found this site 10min ago. And I am gobbling up all the new, overwhelmed... I'll never catch up on all I want to do and learn... But so happy stumbling my way around! And can't wait til I find the info on chats with you! I know you prob won't remember lil ol me, but you made such an impact on me when I fist found digi scrapping. I'll never forget you!
Hugs, and feel better soon!
Tif :)