flu - blocked ears!!!

dave_eire

hey folks!

firstly, i am not sure if this is the right place for this, so please move as you see fit.

my question is this: i have had a flu-y cold for the past week, i went to the doctor last monday to make sure it wasnt a chest infection and he told me just to rest up.

i have been taking it easy and cut down on the ciggerettes and am feeling better now. i have been taking regular doses of echinacea, ginger, garlic, vit c and the odd few lemsips.

now since friday i have been getting that "airoplane ear" thing, my ears are blocked lots of pressure and very sore. my nose is also blocked up, so i started taking a nasal decongetant spray, which relieves my nose but not my ears.

the ears are really annoying me!!! anyone know any cures/ relief methods?

thanks a lot in advance

daveh

dent

Try Sudafed. I had a similar problem and it worked for me. I'd check with your doctor though.

Sherifu

Sounds really annoying.

dave_eire wrote:

i have been taking regular doses of echinacea

That stuff is great for normal blocked nose, sore throat colds.

Dunno about the ears. Hot oil swab? maybe.......

dictatorcat

I agree with dent, go see a doctor, it could be a sinus infection, and treating the symptoms won't do much good!

p.pete

dent wrote:

Try Sudafed. I had a similar problem and it worked for me. I'd check with your doctor though.

Yep, was going to say Sudafed too - get the tablets (little red ones as far as I remember, blue packaging)

<edit>

also the doctor

dave_eire

argggg!!!

the doctor again!!!

will give the sudafed a try though and see if it clears up in a day or 2 first!

thanks a lot, for all the QUICK responses!!

cheersd

Mr. Presentable

Your problem is most likely cattarh, blocking the tubes from the throat to inner ear. A vapour rub should help.

dave_eire

spannerhead wrote:

Your problem is most likely cattarh, blocking the tubes from the throat to inner ear. A vapour rub should help.

just like vicks or something at night? on my chest?

cheersd

Mr. Presentable

Let's be clear: I'm not a doctor, I just did a check of the symptom on the 'net. But yes, Vicks. You can even try sweets, like Tunes etc

govinda

This sounds insane but it *does* work, - a hot compress on the ears gives great relief from this - if you're at home a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel and held against each ear for a minute or two will work wonders (but definitely not a good look at work!)

Canis Lupus

Could be the onset of an ear infection possibly..... Thats the feeling I get before one....

On the other hand after I had a cold 3 weeks back I got the same feeling in my ear (never happened before after a cold) and I took the only thing i had available to me at the time an anti inflammatory and went to bed... woke up the next morning and it had gone away....

helpdogscat

hold your nose and blow down it really hard

Zulu

nothing to worry about my friend - a common occurance with a head cold.

....this is why you can't dive with a cold. Walk into a pharmacy and say you are congested.

Zulu

helpdogscat wrote:

hold your nose and blow down it really hard

Worst, idea, ever.


....unless you want to rupture your ear drum.

I mean honestly people, helpdogscat - what are you talking about.

helpdogscat

Zulu wrote:

Worst, idea, ever.


....unless you want to rupture your ear drum.

I mean honestly people, helpdogscat - what are you talking about.

works for me on the airplane ?

Canis Lupus

yeah but thats somewhat different

ravenhead

I have the exact same thing since last thursday & it's wrecking my head!!! It's not getting any better & I've tried almost everything! Even the doctor who said that it'll run it's course!! WHAT'S THAT ABOUT??

Zulu

helpdogscat wrote:

works for me on the airplane ?

What works for you on an aeroplane, is neutralisation; you gently blown down, and pop your ears. This is done in diving as well. This is fine if you are not suffering from a blockage.

In this case however, blowing down really hard will only rupture your ear drums.

Civilian_Target

Agreed. That only works when you've got water in your sinuses.

helpdogscat

Zulu wrote:

What works for you on an aeroplane, is neutralisation; you gently blown down, and pop your ears. This is done in diving as well. This is fine if you are not suffering from a blockage.

In this case however, blowing down really hard will only rupture your ear drums.

ahhh, i getcha

cajun_tiger

obis oil (spelling off thats how purnounced)
will help with blocked feeling and all round relief. your ear things is pressure from sniffing (or trying to breath through nose)
you can also take tablets for your siniss help to relive you too

dloob

A few years ago I had a bad cold and ended up the same way.
But it didn't clear up with the cold, so I had to get my ears syringed.

Drag00n79

Had the exact same problem last year. Tried living with it for a few days but it really started affecting my hearing. Sudafed etc didn't work so in the end went to the doctors and he gave me antibiotics. Cleared up in a couple of days. Not a nice experience. The blockage caused toothache with me as well.

DublinWriter

dave_eire wrote:

the ears are really annoying me!!! anyone know any cures/ relief methods?

I'd advise you to see your GP IMMEDIATELY!

I had this once, ingored it and now I have permanent tinnitus in one ear.

I got it again recently and immediately went on a 7-day course of penecilin (Amoxicilin generic) and it's cleared up now without any lasting damage.

It's a condition called Otitus Media. See your GP immediately.

WhiteWashMan

DublinWriter wrote:

I'd advise you to see your GP IMMEDIATELY!

I had this once, ingored it and now I have permanent tinnitus in one ear.

I got it again recently and immediately went on a 7-day course of penecilin (Amoxicilin generic) and it's cleared up now without any lasting damage.

It's a condition called Otitus Media. See your GP immediately.

i think what you meant to say was 'this sounds very much like something i had once'

otherwise i shall be forced to ask you for a copy of med school results...

dave_eire

Thanks everybody for your replies!

Quick update: went home got some sudofed tablets, took one, did the hotwater bottle trick - instant relief!!! i was amazed, as i felt like a wally!!! and then did it again before i went to bed. my ears are not fully back to normal, but they arent sore any more, just a little blocked, which i can put up with till the cold runs its course!

again thank you all very much for your helpful (however bizzare ) remedies.

cheersd

Victor

Sounds like your eustachian tubes are blocked, go to pharmacist, explain your symptoms to him and tell him what you are taking already (mixing drugs + drugs + remedies + booze = bad)

Canis Lupus

I have a cure.... I requires a red hot poker and a high tolerance for pain but guarenteed to cure any ear problems permanently.

Gordon

Stoking a fire doesn't do anything for ones ears.

Glad you are feeling better Dave.

Canis Lupus

Lol

The jock

i have the cure to ear ache's/i went to doctor and he told me to get "Earex drops".anyhow i got them in the chemist and i went home and put the drops in and in 10 mins my ear ache was gone.

irlirishkev

dave_eire wrote:

hey folks!

firstly, i am not sure if this is the right place for this, so please move as you see fit.

my question is this: i have had a flu-y cold for the past week, i went to the doctor last monday to make sure it wasnt a chest infection and he told me just to rest up.

i have been taking it easy and cut down on the ciggerettes and am feeling better now. i have been taking regular doses of echinacea, ginger, garlic, vit c and the odd few lemsips.

now since friday i have been getting that "airoplane ear" thing, my ears are blocked lots of pressure and very sore. my nose is also blocked up, so i started taking a nasal decongetant spray, which relieves my nose but not my ears.

the ears are really annoying me!!! anyone know any cures/ relief methods?

thanks a lot in advance

daveh

Is your hearing a bit muffled? Well, either way I'd go back to the doctor. You may need to get your ears syringed. It's not the most pleasant process, but the relief can't be compared to anything else. He'll most likely prescribe anti-biotics first to kill any infection..

Kevin.

Lorcan26

cajun_tiger wrote:

obis oil (spelling off thats how purnounced)
will help with blocked feeling and all round relief. your ear things is pressure from sniffing (or trying to breath through nose)
you can also take tablets for your siniss help to relive you too

do you mean olbas oil?
that stuff really does work, but its quite strong, no way shoudl you get it in your eyes..
you can get this chinese candle thing, on sale from specailist shops, you place the candle in your ear, light it,( quite tricky, may need some help) and the heat and pressure releives bunged up ear passages and helps hearing generally. please bear in mind ive never tried this!
i have the same thing as you by the way at the moment. but ill survive i suppose lol.

dub45

Just by coincidence a guy out sick from work all week gave me a call today told me he had had to go to the doctor he felt so bad and the doctor confirmed that he had both a chest infection and an ear infection. The doctor told him it was very common at the moment and that alot of people were getting a fair bit of discomfort from the ear infection. Apparently the two people in before my friend had also had the ear infection - prescribed antibiotics (as usual I guess!) maybe of some comfort to you to know that its 'out there' at the moment.

Victor

Lorcan26 wrote:

you can get this chinese candle thing, on sale from specailist shops, you place the candle in your ear, light it

Something tells me this sounds quite Darwinian.....

Da_cOmRaDe_MiKe

after reading this, i reckon im paranoid now...
im scared to get sick anymore...
i dont want no blockage!

what can be done to help prevent getting sick like this?
i do all the usual. make sure im not too hot in the house and when i go out not too cold. i dont go from hot to cold rooms cos i know it doesnt help regulate the body;s temp...
but anything else? i take vitamins and iron supliments to help my body.
im in good condition and my health is in high standard.
im a smoker, but not too heavy.

Victor

Da_cOmRaDe_MiKe wrote:

i dont want no blockage!

It's OK, its not that bad and over the counter medicines will sort it out.

Da_cOmRaDe_MiKe wrote:

what can be done to help prevent getting sick like this?

**Avoid all human contact.** Crowded, unventilated spaces are the worst for infections.

richy lucas

Guys, this is exactly the same type of thing that I am experiencing at the moment. I have been to my GP's a few times. Had antibiotics & a nasal spray etc etc. The doc said he couldn't see anything (like a blockage) so he has referred me to an ENT specialist. Conveniently theres only a 12-18 months waiting list (not long at all!!! :mad: ).

It started with a cold/flu type thing and the ear thing has been going on for about 8-10 weeks now. They are a little sore but the worst thing is that feeling like I have just stepped off a plane and cannot equalise my ears.

The other problem is that I DJ occasionally so I've had to stop playing out and practising. It's doing my head in!! I'm also aware that the DJ'ing itself may be part of the cause???

I'l try these things like earex, olbas oil and hot water bottle and other things mentioned on this post but if anyone in the meantime has any idea what might help me please let me know.

Thanks

shelly04

c ur doc!!if you feel dizzy/confused tired the hole time need to rule out vertigo (nasty nasty nasty!) i had fluid in my inner ear a while back and the ent doc suggested that i hold my nose and blow GENTLY to move it, but as i said visit doc.

Victor

Curses on y'all. I never had this before, then I got it last week. Bah Humbug! :mad:

Dooom

Had the exact same thing a few weeks ago. Horrible, horrible thing. Feels like you're trapped in a big cloudy bubble or something. Well I went off the doc and despite him saying "stay in bed" or "stop smoking so much" I refused to leave without him giving me something. So he gave me a bunch of anti-hystamines (spelling?). Supposed to be some sort of anti-allergy/anti-cloggy-uppy-ness things. Dunno if they worked or if I got better myself, but hey, its worth a shot I suppose.