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Started Off As A Sinus Infection Mainly Causing Fluid In
Question: Started off as a sinus infection mainly causing fluid in the ear causing blockage and dizziness. This was 2+months ago. Even with antibiotics, symptoms not only persist but addon. Now significant GI issues including stomach pain and diarrhea. Fatigue through out this whole time but becoming debilitating. Occasional Sharp chest pain. Please help
Brief Answer:
Can be chronic ear infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.
You are having a chronic ear infection which is probably resistant to some antibiotics.
You may need to visit an ENT doctor to check the ear and do a culture of the fluid in order to find the most effective antibiotics.
You are also having diarrhea because of antibiotics usage.
To may need to use probiotics such enterogerina or yovita to re-establish the intestinal flora.
The fatigue may be related to diarrhea and to the longevity of this situation.
You may need to take multivitamins to help regarding immunity and to be less fatigued.
Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Can be chronic ear infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.
You are having a chronic ear infection which is probably resistant to some antibiotics.
You may need to visit an ENT doctor to check the ear and do a culture of the fluid in order to find the most effective antibiotics.
You are also having diarrhea because of antibiotics usage.
To may need to use probiotics such enterogerina or yovita to re-establish the intestinal flora.
The fatigue may be related to diarrhea and to the longevity of this situation.
You may need to take multivitamins to help regarding immunity and to be less fatigued.
Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for responding. Have been taking probiotics but have not helped the GI issues too much. On day 10 of the antibiotic (Doxy). Have considered that it is causing the GI/diarrhea issues, but am not sure it would be a good idea to discontinue as fluid in ear is still an issue. Is there anyway you could get me an ENT referral?
Also while this could be explained by an antibiotic resistant strain of ear infection and an adverse (and unprecedented for me) reaction to the antibiotic resulting in gastro issues, it is pretty miserable and I dont want to write off something that could be more serious (ie. Lupus, Crohns, etc).
Further more the difficulty breathing and chest pains (while potentially anxiety resulting form the symptoms) are troubling. I understand it is possible that multiple things are happening all at once, but I dont want to write it off as it just being 3 minor things if it something more pressing. I am at a point where even going for a brief walk is nearly impossible much less doing my job
Also while this could be explained by an antibiotic resistant strain of ear infection and an adverse (and unprecedented for me) reaction to the antibiotic resulting in gastro issues, it is pretty miserable and I dont want to write off something that could be more serious (ie. Lupus, Crohns, etc).
Further more the difficulty breathing and chest pains (while potentially anxiety resulting form the symptoms) are troubling. I understand it is possible that multiple things are happening all at once, but I dont want to write it off as it just being 3 minor things if it something more pressing. I am at a point where even going for a brief walk is nearly impossible much less doing my job
Brief Answer:
See details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I believe that diarrhoea is caused as a side effect of doxycycline .
I can recommend you to stop using it since you are still having symptoms of infection.
Visit an ENT doctor to physically examine your ear.
Continue using probiotics and loperamid too.
I don't find this related to lupus or crohn's syndrome.
The chest tightness and difficulty breathing may be caused by anxiety and stress.
Drink more water and fluids to keep yourself hydrated.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
See details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I believe that diarrhoea is caused as a side effect of doxycycline .
I can recommend you to stop using it since you are still having symptoms of infection.
Visit an ENT doctor to physically examine your ear.
Continue using probiotics and loperamid too.
I don't find this related to lupus or crohn's syndrome.
The chest tightness and difficulty breathing may be caused by anxiety and stress.
Drink more water and fluids to keep yourself hydrated.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
How long do you expect it to take after stopping the doxy for the negative side effects to subside?
Is extreme fatigue to the point of any activity being debilitating normal for this ailment?
And I'm not convinced that the chest pain is all anxiety as it happens even when relaxing on the couch with no stress present. Is it possible that the pain could be radiating from my gut? I dont want to ignore or write of something that could be a heart issue. Also since my first question, a cough (sometimes accompanied by flem) has started which has come with an intermittent sore throat. Have not stopped doxy yet (through 12 days, started after finishing full cycle of penicillin) but probably will today. Set to see primary care doctor on Monday to hopefully get referral to ent and maybe rheumatologist.
Gut pain still dull for most of day with instances of sharper discomfort, usually associated with having eaten.
Still feel like there might be fluid in ear and that ear is popping a lot, like there may still be eustachian tube dysfunction. Also have had inflammation of right inner eye tissue for months since this started.
Is extreme fatigue to the point of any activity being debilitating normal for this ailment?
And I'm not convinced that the chest pain is all anxiety as it happens even when relaxing on the couch with no stress present. Is it possible that the pain could be radiating from my gut? I dont want to ignore or write of something that could be a heart issue. Also since my first question, a cough (sometimes accompanied by flem) has started which has come with an intermittent sore throat. Have not stopped doxy yet (through 12 days, started after finishing full cycle of penicillin) but probably will today. Set to see primary care doctor on Monday to hopefully get referral to ent and maybe rheumatologist.
Gut pain still dull for most of day with instances of sharper discomfort, usually associated with having eaten.
Still feel like there might be fluid in ear and that ear is popping a lot, like there may still be eustachian tube dysfunction. Also have had inflammation of right inner eye tissue for months since this started.
Brief Answer:
Get tested for c.difficile.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I think you need to do a stool test to check for c.difficile since you are having rapid heart beat and extreme fatigue.
I can't say how much will it last.
The chest pain is possibly related to rapid heart beat and also to stomach issues if it is accompanied by burning sensation.
Continue to use even decongestants such pseudoephedrine to help with congestion.
Get tested for c.difficile.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I think you need to do a stool test to check for c.difficile since you are having rapid heart beat and extreme fatigue.
I can't say how much will it last.
The chest pain is possibly related to rapid heart beat and also to stomach issues if it is accompanied by burning sensation.
Continue to use even decongestants such pseudoephedrine to help with congestion.
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. Prasad
Answered by
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