“OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION”
I went to the doctor last week for ear pain. Dr Said there was OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION but not redness. I was put on Keflex. Been on for more then 24 hours and I am still not better. In fact, the pain is worse then before I started and now I feel it in my jaw. I took 2 Motrin and it didn't help. Can this possibly be an ear infection even though I am on antibiotics? How long does it take for it to start working? Should it already have started working???
Female | 43 years old
Complaint duration: 3 days
Medications: Midodrine, Lamitcal and Pepcid
Conditions: POTS, Gastroparesis, GERD, IGA deficiency, Sjogrens
1 Answer
Otitis media (ear infection) with effusion (fluid visible in the middle ear space) can be uncomfortable because of the pressure in the middle ear. The ear drum does not always appear red with inflammation. It takes a long time for antibiotics to build up enough in the body, to then start acting against the bacteria in the middle ear space. So 24 hours is not very long... Getting relief of the pressure from the fluid will help the pain. You need to get your eustachian tube opening working better. This valve is located at the back of the nose.
I suggest getting over the counter afrin nasal decongestant and flonase (nasal steroid) from the pharmacy. Use the decongestant spray 2-3x per day for 3 days. Use the flonase 2 sprays daily for 2 weeks at least. If you can stand to pop your ears, try that a few times a day. Equalizing the pressure in your ears to the atmospheric pressure will help the fluid resorb and decrease the pain.
I suggest getting over the counter afrin nasal decongestant and flonase (nasal steroid) from the pharmacy. Use the decongestant spray 2-3x per day for 3 days. Use the flonase 2 sprays daily for 2 weeks at least. If you can stand to pop your ears, try that a few times a day. Equalizing the pressure in your ears to the atmospheric pressure will help the fluid resorb and decrease the pain.
