Fluid Behind Ear Drum - Washington,IL

I had this 2 years ago. Hate to tell you this - but I did the drugs - antibiotics, steriods, etc. Didn't work. Drove me CRAZY! It didn't hurt, but I felt like I couldn't hear out of that ear. I had a hearing test, and my hearing wasn't dimished - but still, so annoying!

Anyway, I ended up having the same type of procedure they do on kids when they put tubes in their ears. I had a q-tip with some numbing stuff put in there and then they cut a tiny slit in there, then the fluid was suctioned out. It felt strange, but I was like AHHHHHHH. No pain at all, insurance covered it, and if it ever happens again, I won't monkey around with the drugs but will go straight for the "procedure". I had it done by an ENT doc.

I've had this a couple of times. It never caused infection but I could not hear well at all. They had me take Clariton D (it has to say "D") and within 2 or so days it was all cleared up. I'm also allergic to sulfa-drugs and not crazy about antibiotics.

I swear by Mucinex D. I have sensitive ears and seem to get an earache once a year due to fluid back there. Mucinex D does the trick every time - but it may take a couple of days or even a week or so, depending on how bad it is.

I get this - fluid behind the ear drum and inflamed eustacean tubes. In my case, prednisone usually does the trick as an uber-anti-inflamatory. If I let it go, or it gets to bad my ear drum will rupture to release the pressure. Not pleasant, and luckily, I have not suffered any permanent hearing damage.

Take the prescribed meds.

:)

If the fluid is not infected (and it sounds like it's not), then antibiotics won't do a thing. I'm surprised (and appalled) your doctor prescribed them.

If it's otitis media with effusion (fluid in the middle ear but no infection), there's really nothing that can be done other than tubes. Basically, doctors tell you to wait a couple of months to see if it will go away on its own (it normally does). When it doesn't, you can opt for tubes.

My toddler has had this for at least 4 months now (and probably way longer). We spent 2 months getting it checked, and rechecked, and rechecked again at her pediatrician. And now we're waiting 2 more months to get into the otolaryngology doctors at Seattle Children's. If she still has it, I want tubes pronto. Her speech is delayed, likely due to muffled hearing. And the poor little thing is always poking at her ears.

google "otitis media with effusion". There's lots of info out there.