Ear Clogged after Sinus Infection
Posted , 20 users are following.
Two weeks ago I had a bad cold with chills and a fever that turned into a sinus and ear infection. The day I decided to go to the doctor I was experiencing severe sinus pressure. I moved my head in an awkward downward facing position and I felt liquid go into my ear. I tried shaking my head but it only made it worse and over the course of 2 hours the pain became unbearable. I tried using over the counter drops which only made it much worse to the point where I could not drive myself to the doctor.
The doctor saw the fluid in my ear and said the ear was infected and gave me a 5 day course of antibiotics. I finished the antibiotics 3 days ago and my ear is still clogged (no pain) and ringing non stop.
?I'm not sure if the clogged feeling is from fluid or inflammation/swelling. I no longer hear the fluid moving around when I move my head. I tried taking a nasal decongestant and ibuprofien for several days, I have used flonase and saline nasal spray every day. I tried a neti pot but the water kept just going down my throat.
Any advice would be appreciated as I cannot go back to the doctor for another 5 days.
0 likes, 30 replies
carol7212 SarahJ86
Posted
Sorry I have no suggestions to offer but if you do go to your doctor in 5 days would love to hear what happens.
SarahJ86 carol7212
Posted
Was this from a sinus infection? I have no nausea or headache and my sinuses feel completely clear now but my left ear is still clogged and feels like I'm under water. It's frustrating and I can't hear well from the left ear. I tried steam and neti pot but it didn't help. I may try going to the walk in just do they can see if it's fluid, inflammation or still infected.
carol7212 SarahJ86
Posted
Yes it was a sinus infection. The pressure seems to have alleviated now but the ear feels very clogged and hurts a bit. With sinus I always get headaches and the headaches cause the nausea. The Dr. said the nasal spray and antibiotic would take care of the fluid in ears but it's still there so I go to an ENT. How long have your ear been clogged? Mine has been almost 3 weeks.
SarahJ86 carol7212
Posted
It's been about a week that I've been off the antibiotics. I saw the Dr. again and she gave me prednazone and claritin. She said she saw the fluid and that the ear drum is intact. I thought it was helping but I woke up again with my ear still clogged. I wish there was a tool they could just suction it out with. It's driving me crazy and it's hard to talk to people when it feels like I'm under water.
carol7212 SarahJ86
Posted
lol I know what you mean about feeling like your underwater.
I was wondering too why there isn't a way of just gently suctioning the ear. The fluid is behind the ear drum Dr. said so it won't drain out your ear. It has to drain down your eustachian tube I guess. I read where it can just evaporate on it's own but that's not happening in my case that's for sure.
Anyway it's driving me nuts too.
virginia79739 SarahJ86
Posted
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pistal666 SarahJ86
Posted
Hi Sarah, It's quite on the cards that the fluid in your Ear has dried up and left a residue in the Ear Canal. This should start to clear on it's own and go down your Throat the same way as the Water from the Neti Pot. It may need a helping hand by using a Olive Oil ear Spray, of failing that, a trip to ENT where they use a Vacuum Tube. You will have to be careful that the Infection has gone as any moisture/Water in the Ear could flare up the Source of Infection. Can you pop your Ears and does any Mucus appear when you blow your Nose? The Ringing in your Ear should stop once things start to get back to their normal routine, Tinitus can be frustraiting, does the Noise sound like its coming in through the Ear, or does it sound like it's coming from Inside your Head? Remember not to use Ear Buds or any other tool to put in the Ear. Hope you start feeling better. Chat soon, AL
SarahJ86 pistal666
Posted
The doctor said the infection is gone and that she saw clear fluid behind the ear drum. The prednisone and claritin have not helped after 3 days. I also tried steam, netipot, flonaise, saline nasal spray, sleeping on one side, yawning, smacking my ear, jumping up and down, hot compress... I am going crazy. The ringing I think is coming from inside..maybe from the pressure on the ear drum but I am most frustrated by the underwater feeling. I haven't worked out much in weeks and I really want to get back to the gym but it's very uncomfortable and I'm concerned about being dizzy or off balance. I also added some anti-inflammatory supplements - curcumin and krill oil, I don't consume dairy. I have been breathing in and out of only one nostril which provides some temporary relief but I don't feel any fluid draining into the throat and the plugged up feeling comes right back.
I am a little afraid to put any liquid in my ear for fear of making it worse.
The thing is, I felt the fluid go in the ear when it happened. I was rubbing my face where I felt sinus pressure to try and break up the mucus to relieve the pressure then I tilted my head and I felt it go in the ear.
pistal666 SarahJ86
Posted
The Fluid would have had to travel up the Eustachian Tube and is now trapped between the Ear Drum and the Middle Ear. The Bone can't move properly, giving you that Underwater Sound. Both of my Ear Drums are perferated and have constant problems with one or the other, so I know how you feel. I cant post the link on here but if you google "wikiHow to Unclog the Inner Ear or Eustachian Tube", it might give you a few things you can try to help displace the anoying fluid, and that frustrating ringing. (Can't post links because Moderators delete the whole post). Let me know if anything works. AL
chrisc1987 SarahJ86
Posted
Now I just need to figure out how to fully clear out my ears...
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justin96042 SarahJ86
Posted
Thank you
e25139 justin96042
Posted
chelsey33241 e25139
Posted
I’m currently in that nightmare as well. Can’t hear out of my left. Completely clogged from ear & sinus infection. It also rings now. Which is making me even more crazy. Did yours ever clear up?! How long did it take? What’d you do?
Thanks!
chelsey33241 SarahJ86
Posted
It’s been awhile and I’m curious to know how you are doing, how long it took before your ear was unclogged. Did the ringing stop??
I’m in the same boat. Sinus/ear infection. Can’t hear out of my left ear, completely clogged and now that ear is ringing. Making me crazy. Wondering if the ringing will stop once the infection clears up? Wondering how long my ear is going to be clogged?? Seeing an ENT this week. Curious if she will drain the Eustachian tube?!! Or do they do that?
Anyway, hope all is fine and your ear is totally back to normal! Thank you!
gary98591 SarahJ86
Posted
I am currently suffering the same . Have had a blocked ear for over 8 weeks. Saw my doctor who prescribed Otomize spray as there appeared to be a fungal infection within the ear, he also took a swab as well. Used the spray as prescribed for 2 weeks then rang back as no better, Got the swab results from the receptionist and the notes said that if no better to get a repeat prescription which i did. Over 2 weeks later and this bottle has now run out and hasn't made a dent! No pain or even dizzyness just feels like an ear full of water. Getting fed up with it now. Will have to go back to the doctors. Anyone else still had issues after this amount of time after taking treatment as well ?