Pain, pain and more pain! ARGH!!
By GreatMartin
@GreatMartin (23672)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
July 11, 2016 11:25am CST
Went to my primary doctor last Tuesday to get ready for the round of specialists I will be seeing in October. Every once in awhile I get a little itch in my left ear and told him about it--he had his nurse irrigate my ear and I don't think the equipment was sterilized which would surprise me as the doc is a very meticulous man.
In any case on Thursday, after taking a swim in the pool, the ear really started itching, by Friday it was painful. I researched 'ear ache remedies' on Internet knowing I wouldn't be able to get in touch with doc until Monday.
I have spent these past 3 days holding a hot compress against my ear, putting peroxide in my ear and taking some pain pills I have on hand--nothing has worked!
I have a high thresh-hold for pain but this ain't funny. Was it the pool or the nurse not sterilizing the instruments?
In any case going to a concert "We Are The 80s" this evening with Rick Springfield, Eddie Money, Scandal and Lover Boy--maybe the loud music will knock the germ out!
Can't wait to contact doctor tomorrow!
13 people like this
15 responses
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
11 Jul 16
You should not really delay seeing a doctor you may well need some antibiotics. I don't suppose swimming helped but I would have found it most unusual for them not to have used sterilised equipment on you. Peroxide is probably not a good idea for the ear as it is a very delicate organ. Try not to itch it if you can help it. Without looking in your ear I could not really tell if you had an infection or not. A doctor would be able to tell you straight away. Good luck!
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
12 Jul 16
Most ear wax or plugged ear solutions have peroxide as their base. I got the ealiest appointment with the dermatologist I could! :O)
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
12 Jul 16
@GreatMartin OH thats great news, Yes it does but I would hesitate using that on your ear drum. Hope you get it sorted today Good luck!
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 The peroxide wouldn't actually be near the ear drum as there is a membrane between the outer ear and the inner ear. I use peroxide in my ears to keep the wax at bay and if they begin to itch I'll get at it that way again.
Some of my ear problems are also related to a backup of mucus in the eustachian tube. Other meds are needed to clear that up.
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
11 Jul 16
A couple drops of Mineral Oil might help @GreatMartin . You can also try using the shower head and flushing the ear with warm water prior to using the oil.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
12 Jul 16
I'll give anything a try--thanks! 
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
12 Jul 16
@GreatMartin
I hope everything is okay now and that you have found out what is wrong, if you have found out.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
12 Jul 16
I didn't feel it was THAT bad but I'll find out tomorrow! :O)
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
14 Jul 16
@GreatMartin I can understand. Have you been able to find any kind of relief?
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
16 Jul 16
@simone10 It's a few days later and all is well!!! Thanks.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Jul 16
It was so much easier when I drank!!!
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
11 Jul 16
Martin.I have itchy ears.Our ears get dry out.You need to put some moisturizing on this.
this takes care of mine.Do not scratch too much.You may get an infection there.Call cellutis
This what happen to me.Itchy ears,/what ever you do.Do not dig or scratch.Put some cream on this to see if this helps
2 people like this
@sherryericha (1806)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
12 Jul 16
Wow, that's too bad. Hope it was something minor.
1 person likes this
@sherryericha (1806)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
15 Jul 16
@GreatMartin I know exactly what you mean. Love this witty response
@celticeagle (167015)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Jul 16
Ear aches can be horrible. I would doubt that the doctor would have unsanitary equipment or he could lose his license. The ear ache can't be very bad if you are still going out this evening. hehe
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
12 Jul 16
Nothing keeps me from going out!!!
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Jul 16
I am a horrible patient--everywhere except in a hospital!!! Crazy! :O)
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
21 Jul 16
Have you tried warm olive oil for your ear pain? Sorry-my g'mother would tell you to do that and swear it works wonders.
1 person likes this
I hope you enjoy the concert.@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
12 Jul 16
As I said I don't really think it was the nurse's fault as the whole office is meticulous! I think it might be psoriasis!
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Jul 16
I've never had a nurse do the irrigating of the ear before, but maybe it's done differently over there in Fl. I'd think that if the instruments weren't sterilized properly it wouldn't cause an itch, but probably more like an ache. Before the nurse did that, did your doctor say why he was having that done? I've gotten it done before when I've had excess wax in my ear canals. That will cause itching, but hydrogen peroxide usually takes care of it, but only after using it for a week or so, never after the first application.
I have had a few problems on the inner ear, but I think I was given a cream for those, but can't really remember for sure.
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
17 Jul 16
Ear pain and itching is maddening. I hope they got it stopped.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
18 Jul 16
The ear pain is gone but the itching is psoriasis so that will stay around! :O)
2 people like this
@darksinistar (42)
• United States
17 Jul 16
Reading the comments, it looks like your ear is doing better. I have a friend who has a lot of trouble with her ear and she gets some sort of cream for it. Glad you didn't let it ruin the concert for you!
