Recovered from Middle Ear Barotrauma (The Testament)

[Spanocha]

Some of you may remember me via my previous post "Treating Middle Ear Barotrauma At Home??" Thanks to all who responded.

It took me about 8 days to recover from middle ear barotrauma (no perforation--just a lot of blood behind the drum).

Although I read (and many people told me) that time was the only factor that really contributes to recovery, I decided to place myself on a Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), Benadryl, Ibuprofen, and nightly Vicodin regimen (not all st the same time).

I mostly used the scubafed, but I would replace that dose with one of the other ingredients from time to time just to try to trick my body a bit.

It worked I suppose. I seen my ENT for the first time today and they seemed upset that there was nothing wrong with my ears! (I guess they had real work to do).

Thanks again to all of the beneficient posts.

 

[Spanocha]

Oh, and I also ingested "Emergen-C" twice a day, the second-half of the 8 day recovery time ("Emergen-C" is basically a multi-vitamen with way more Vitamin C than the body can absorb). Couldn't hurt.

 

[DandyDon]

I would think that pseudophendrine, an antihistamine, and an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic would all help with the symptoms and take all three at same time - but then I do every day anyway, with my allergies and my prophylactic aspirin. Of course I would ask my attending physician first.

No comment on the mega C.

Glad yours is better.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Spanocha,

Well, that is good news.

Bludgeoning your body with all of those drugs likely provided some symptomatic relief. However, it in fact very probably was the normal, expected absorption/drainage of accumulated middle ear fluid over time that accounted for the resolution.

Equalize early, often and gently.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[KerriHMI]

Thats fantastic. Glad to hear that your better (pardon the pun!!).

My buddy also had ear problems recently and despite a very pessimistic prognosis from the hospital ENT department (permanent senso neural hearing loss in right ear), we also followed a similar regime at home following discharge fom hospital and now 10 days later his hearing has returned by approx 80% and will hopefully continue to improve.

 

[Spanocha]

Thats fantastic. Glad to hear that your better (pardon the pun!!).

My buddy also had ear problems recently and despite a very pessimistic prognosis from the hospital ENT department (permanent senso neural hearing loss in right ear), we also followed a similar regime at home following discharge fom hospital and now 10 days later his hearing has returned by approx 80% and will hopefully continue to improve.

On the contrary, the pun is appreciated. When I was seeking advice for my malady, it seems that I was told 13 different things from 12 different experts. If I would have had insurance (that is, if I would have constituted a "real person") they probably would have conned me into the surgical ear puncture (an expensive puncture) in order to drain the fluids.

Good things often come to those who wait.

 

[rdharbis1]

How did you know you had blood in your ear?

I finished my AOW last weekend (three days ago) and my left ear feels swollen (internally). I do not have congestion and I do not have any drainage, but it is VERY sore, even to the touch.

I am hopeful that time will take care of this.

Randy

 

[TSandM]

rdharbis1, if your ear is sore to the touch, it's likely that, instead of middle ear barotrauma, you have an external ear infection. This requires antibiotics; I would highly recommend you see a physician.

OP, I'm glad you're better, but I'm with Doc V. This reminds me of an old joke, that if you treat a cold with antibiotics, you'll be better in seven days, but if you don't, it'll take a week. It is possible that the medication regimen you used did accelerate the resolution of your problem, but it's a problem which almost always resolves spontaneously, anyway.