HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Suggest Treatment For Chronic Sinusitis

Posted on Tue, 28 Apr 2015

Question: Hi i have had an ongoing sinus issue for 2 months. I have suffered from chronic sinusitis for several years but came down w a severe head cold 2 months ago which has since moved into my ear canals. My left ear has been extremely clogged and painful but only down in eustachian tube and i have been to 3 doctors in the past 2 weeks desparate for relief. 7 days of amoxicillan w little change and 7 days of prednisone w nothing. Now i am on day 2 of Augmentin and my left ear is feeling worse than ever - now the ear canal feels infected and my jaw is sore. It does feel like it might be working but i dont understand why my eustachian tube wont open / why the feeling of fullness and pain still going on after all this time and medicine. What can i do? I feel my eardrum might burst and im scared. Can i put something in the ear like peroxide?? The ear drum has never been sore until tonight i cleaned my ear w q tip and noticed the pain. What do i do if the eardrum does burst?? Please help

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
decongestant nose drops

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to healthcaremagic,

I answered your previous query a few days ago.

Ears can get clogged and painful during sinus infections. It happens because infection ascends into the ears through the eustachian tubes. I believe I had advised you to use decongestant nose drops like otrivin, If you have not started using the drops then now is the time to do so. These drops open the eustachian tubes and help to ventilate the ears well thereby controlling the infection. Instill 3 drops in each nostril 3 times a day and follow it up with steam inhalation for a week.
Apart from this you can take pain killers like tylenol or ibuprofen afetr checking the dose.
Also you should drink lots of water and do steam inhalation 5 times daily.
If the ear drum ruptures then there is no need to worry, see your doctor. You will need some ear drops along with the rest of the treatment.

Feel free to follow up,
Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (12 minutes later)

Ok thank u i am really concerned. I am already using flonase and was also on Afrin. Idk what otrivin is but i will find it. Thanks again

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Afrin same as otrivin

Detailed Answer:
Hi and sorry for the delay,

Afrin and otrivin are one and the same.

If you have used afrin in the past 3 weeks then you cannot use otrivin now. If its been more than 3 weeks then you can use afrin again for 5 days. Please do lots of steam inhalation, atleast 5 times a day.

Currently I feel you are having infection of the ear. Please ask your doctor to confirm. The augmentin will take care of the infection. Once the infection settles then your ear will get better.

Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E