meganbmoore: (Default)
[personal profile] meganbmoore
 Throwing this out to the masses for advice: I’ve had an ear infection for three weeks. I finished the 10days of antibiotics on Friday. The pulsing and occasional discomfort is way less frequent, but still there. How long should I give it before going back to the doctor?

Date: 2017-12-11 01:07 am (UTC)
chomiji: From Fruits Basket: Hatsuharu comforting his young cousin Kisa (Hatusharu and Kisa - comfort)
From: [personal profile] chomiji

My experience with infections in general (although I have been spared ear infections) says that something is wrong. Usually, you start feeling better by the time you've been on the antibiotics for a few days, and that's why so many people don't finish their antibiotics: they've heard something about antibiotics being overused and so they decide, "Hey, I'm better, why should I keep taking these dangerous meds?"

I would speak with the doctor sooner rather than later.

Date: 2017-12-11 03:00 am (UTC)
grey853: (SnowySnoopycandle_casey28)
From: [personal profile] grey853
Call as soon as possible. It's likely the antibiotic wasn't the right kind or not strong enough. You should not have any discomfort after a full round.

Good luck.

Date: 2017-12-11 04:52 am (UTC)
monanotlisa: symbol, image, ttrpg, party, pun about rolling dice and getting rolling (Default)
From: [personal profile] monanotlisa
Immediately.

Ear infections can turn into meningitis and besides impact other parts of your body, due to the lateral pharyngeal bands connecting the ears with your throat.

As chomiji said, an antibiotic not showing effects on Day 1-3 is likely to be useless. I've been there -- received antibiotics measured for a child and a child's weight by an incompetent doctor in rural Georgia once, at a hefty 160 pounds then, and subsequently went into a delirium and have zero memory of three days of travelling to and back from a wedding in Alabama...

Date: 2017-12-11 05:47 am (UTC)
toastykitten: (Default)
From: [personal profile] toastykitten
Coincidentally, my coworker also just had the same issue - finished her antibiotics; ear still hurting. She went back to urgent care and was prescribed drops to deal with the pain and a different antibiotic. So yeah, get that checked out ASAP!

Date: 2017-12-11 05:55 am (UTC)
st_aurafina: (Work)
From: [personal profile] st_aurafina
Go back asap - ear infections are sometimes persistent, and sometimes the antibiotic they choose doesn't cover the particular bacteria you're growing in there. Since you say there was some improvement, I'd expect the doctor to give you another 5 days on the same antibiotic to see if that clears it up. But if there are other symptoms to consider - like if there's been discharge from your ear, or there's obviously something going on with your eardrum, they might take a swab, or swap you to a second line antibiotic.

If there's lots of fluid behind your eardrum, the doctor could recommend a decongestant to relieve the pressure, also. (We usually use cold and flu medication for this, but that will be up to your doctor, of course.)

I hope you're feeling better soon!

Date: 2017-12-11 02:28 pm (UTC)
havocthecat: the lady of shalott (Default)
From: [personal profile] havocthecat
Go back now. Maybe I've had one too many antibiotic resistant infections over the years, but this is a sign that not everything has cleared out. Better safe than sorry. (My doctor frequently will also give me a one week course of prednisone to help the congestion drain.)

Also grab some saline spray for your nose and some of your preferred type of decongestants and start using those now, because your sinuses and your ears are all connected, and clearing out your sinuses while you're waiting for a doctor's appointment may help your ears drain too. Or maybe just use a neti pot if that's the type of thing you like? I hate a neti pot.

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