Viral Inner Ear Infection

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Anybody ever have a Viral inner ear infection? I have it on both sides!
I grew up with Chronic Otitis, so I'm used to ear infections, but I've never had a viral infection. About 14 years ago (early 20's) I had an Otic reconstructive surgury where they rebuilt my right ear canal using a skin graph from my arm and the ear drum using a piece of muscle from in front of my ear. Overall, my hearing is excellent and I can swim, shower, and get wet without a problem. I also hardly ever get an infection anymore. Usually only when I have a head cold and get stuffed up.

A couple weeks ago, I had my typical early spring sinus cold and my ears blocked up. Well, I guess I let it go too long and ended up with this viral thing. I'm dizzy, have blurred vision, and have headaches. The doc says it could take 2-3 weeks to clear! I'm on antibiotics, but it's going very slowly. He said I need rest, and plenty of fluids. Apparently I don't sleep enough and drink too much coffee!

Anyway, just curious if anyone has had this and what your symptoms were. I appreciate the input.
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Wow, I don't know... would the ear drops help? Now you can find all sorts of homepathic ear drops which might help comfort your symptoms until you get better.
 
z -- dizziness and blurred vision -- a lot of people pay good money to get like that. seriously -- if i remember from my reading, antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, not viral infections. you might want to check it out. good luck.
 
Yup, went through that a few months ago, a viral ear infection...had no hearing for like 3 months, partial face paralysis, the whole 9 yards. I don't remember the name of it, some kind of syndrome, but involves a viral infection and then pressure on the otic nerves and facial nerves. Terrible. I feel for you man!!!!

Prayers sent for you!
 
Originally Posted By: yeti
-- if i remember from my reading, antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, not viral infections. you might want to check it out. good luck.


Yeah, they only work on bacterial. Given my history, they treated me with antibiotics first. Obviously it didn't work well. Doc said to take it easy, get plenty of rest, and drink lot's of fluids.
 
Originally Posted By: Solo2driver
Yup, went through that a few months ago, a viral ear infection...had no hearing for like 3 months, partial face paralysis, the whole 9 yards. I don't remember the name of it, some kind of syndrome, but involves a viral infection and then pressure on the otic nerves and facial nerves. Terrible. I feel for you man!!!!

Prayers sent for you!


Thank you, I appreciate it! Yeah, I can feel the pressure. Not really a "headache" but a constant pressure and "fullness". It's a very unique pain.
 
I have a friend that has the same thing. He started having problems before the holidays and still isn't completely recovered. For a few days he was so dizzy he could barely get out of bed, and spent a lot of time throwing up.

He finally went back to work after about a month, but he still isn't 100 percent, and his doctors tell him he may never fully recover his sense of balance.

It's nasty-take care of yourself.
 
Provided no conflicts with your other medications, take lots of onions and garlie - raw and in soups. I'd also try to up the vitamin C, zinc and echinacea uptakes.

None of these things are earth shattering, but onions and garlic are full of great compounds to help prevent infections, and garlic has antibiotic properties - not helpful for what you have, but helpful to prevent stress from other bacteria that your body has to face.

I wonder if an ear candle would be good to try to clear out whatever is in there, as then it may help flow and movement in the ear?

I'd also do as much deep breathing as possible - oxygen is a great thing to have in copious quantities.

Good luck!
 
Originally Posted By: yeti
z -- dizziness and blurred vision -- a lot of people pay good money to get like that. seriously -- if i remember from my reading, antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, not viral infections. you might want to check it out. good luck.


Viral infections frequently come with or lead to a secondary bacterial infection.
 
As the body weakens, the bacteria feel more and more at home. Like getting the flu (viral) and then getting pneumonia(bacterial).
 
Thanks for the advice and kind words guys! I'm going to take a quick nap and have a nice hot bowl of soup for dinner.
 
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
Anybody ever have a Viral inner ear infection? I have it on both sides!
I grew up with Chronic Otitis, so I'm used to ear infections, but I've never had a viral infection. About 14 years ago (early 20's) I had an Otic reconstructive surgury where they rebuilt my right ear canal using a skin graph from my arm and the ear drum using a piece of muscle from in front of my ear. Overall, my hearing is excellent and I can swim, shower, and get wet without a problem. I also hardly ever get an infection anymore. Usually only when I have a head cold and get stuffed up.

A couple weeks ago, I had my typical early spring sinus cold and my ears blocked up. Well, I guess I let it go too long and ended up with this viral thing. I'm dizzy, have blurred vision, and have headaches. The doc says it could take 2-3 weeks to clear! I'm on antibiotics, but it's going very slowly. He said I need rest, and plenty of fluids. Apparently I don't sleep enough and drink too much coffee!

Anyway, just curious if anyone has had this and what your symptoms were. I appreciate the input.
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I had the same thing last year. I grew up with tubes all the time and multiple ear infections. I have had surgery a couple of times to correct the drainage problem in both my ears. The infection I had last year was so bad that it was causing fluid to backup almost onto the brain and was causing dizzy spells and bad headaches. I was on Antibiotics for 4 weeks to clear it up and I was so sick because they were so strong. Was a nasty month last spring... Glad it didn't return this year!

Hang in there bud, get plenty of Vitamin C, Eat yogurt to offset the anti-biotics upsetting your stomach & intestinal tract and drink as much water as you can...
 
Originally Posted By: Pablo
So did you hear any crackling, popping like soap bubbles in your ear?


I've been downing a lot of water and herbal tea. My ears have started to clear up some and only "pop" slightly when I swallow.
My old E.N.T specialist said that's a good thing.

Originally Posted By: StevieC
I had the same thing last year. I grew up with tubes all the time and multiple ear infections. I have had surgery a couple of times to correct the drainage problem in both my ears. The infection I had last year was so bad that it was causing fluid to backup almost onto the brain and was causing dizzy spells and bad headaches. I was on Antibiotics for 4 weeks to clear it up and I was so sick because they were so strong. Was a nasty month last spring... Glad it didn't return this year!

Hang in there bud, get plenty of Vitamin C, Eat yogurt to offset the anti-biotics upsetting your stomach & intestinal tract and drink as much water as you can...

Yep, you know what it's like. I don't remember how many tubes I've had. Molded ear plugs, tubes, infections...
smirk2.gif

Still, I thank God that it's nothing worse and that none of my kids have had any ear trouble.

The medicine is almost as bad as the condition
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I've found that Ritz crackers help. I actually miss eating them!

Gonna head to bed soon. I'll be going to work tomorrow and see how it goes.

Thanks all and talk soon.
 
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
I'm dizzy, have blurred vision, and have headaches. The doc says it could take 2-3 weeks to clear! I'm on antibiotics, but it's going very slowly. He said I need rest, and plenty of fluids. Apparently I don't sleep enough and drink too much coffee!



What's the survival rate for meningitis? That could be the next progression if it does not get better. It might be a good idea to have the infection sampled and tested to find the right antibiotic, and make sure you get well. Also might be good to have a friend stay over if you live alone.
 
Drink Soda Water too... This helps settle your stomach. It's awful but it's 100% better than having Cancer or some other terminal illness.
 
I've found that using hydrogen peroxide helps.

Keep filling up the ear canals and draining until there is no more audible fizzing. After everything clears up, I would suggest continuing to do this once a week or so, as a preventative measure.
 
Originally Posted By: DmanWho
I've found that using hydrogen peroxide helps.

Keep filling up the ear canals and draining until there is no more audible fizzing. After everything clears up, I would suggest continuing to do this once a week or so, as a preventative measure.


Doesn't it burn your skin and possibly the ear drum?
 
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