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Suggest Alternative Medication For Pressure In Ear And Muffled Hearing
Question: i am 59 years old. About 2 weeks ago I caught a "day care" cold from my 18 month old grandson who lives with me. Last monday my right ear started hurting and was feeling full and hearing muffled. I went to the clinic after work on tuesday and was diagnosed with middle ear infection and started on amoxicillin. However, I still a lot of pressure and muffled hearing in that ear. I have not ever had a fever with this,still some cold symptoms (nasal drainage and stuffiness) I am taking allegra, sudafed and flomax. I was wondering if there is anything else that will help relieve this pressure. I know most of these are viral so antibiotics will not work but this is driving me crazy. I don't think I have ever had an ear infetion in my life. thank you
Brief Answer:
It is of course unpleasant to fall sick :) , only minor changes
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. As you have already understood, antibiotics do not play a major role unless really required, so although you are already on amoxicillin, I would recommend a combination antibiotic that contains amoxicillin and clavulunate; please check with your doctor or pharmacy to help you with a change in prescription for this.
Along with this you are taking:
1. Allegra (anti-histamine): That is good, you can choose to change to montelukast as this takes away the drowsiness caused by most anti-histamine drugs, if you wish to do so
2. Sudafed (nasal decongesant): Excellent
3. Flomax (tamsulosin): I am not sure if you meant flomax, because this contains tamsulosin which helps to improve urine flow in men who have an enlarged prostate
Suspecting you meant flonase? Flonase (intranasal steroid spray for allergy relief): Is a good addition
4. Ibuprofen: Important anti-inflammatory
5. Mucolytics: This is the only aspect of treatment missing from your treatment chart and you can speak to your doctor or pharmacist to help you with a mucolytic as most of them are available over-the-counter (e.g. acetadote, mucomyst, etc.)
6. Lukewarm water with salt gargles 3 times a day
7. Keeping yourself warm
8. Keeping yourself hydrated
9. Keeping away from people who have or can get the infection from you, as a vicious cycle is usually formed in households
I understand you must be exhausted and frustrated, which is why people hate contracting a ear infection in the first place, but you will have to be patient ma'am. I see that your doctor has been quite thorough, and I have only minor change to contribute, so my main advise would be rest and adequate hydration. :)
Stay strong and do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
It is of course unpleasant to fall sick :) , only minor changes
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. As you have already understood, antibiotics do not play a major role unless really required, so although you are already on amoxicillin, I would recommend a combination antibiotic that contains amoxicillin and clavulunate; please check with your doctor or pharmacy to help you with a change in prescription for this.
Along with this you are taking:
1. Allegra (anti-histamine): That is good, you can choose to change to montelukast as this takes away the drowsiness caused by most anti-histamine drugs, if you wish to do so
2. Sudafed (nasal decongesant): Excellent
3. Flomax (tamsulosin): I am not sure if you meant flomax, because this contains tamsulosin which helps to improve urine flow in men who have an enlarged prostate
Suspecting you meant flonase? Flonase (intranasal steroid spray for allergy relief): Is a good addition
4. Ibuprofen: Important anti-inflammatory
5. Mucolytics: This is the only aspect of treatment missing from your treatment chart and you can speak to your doctor or pharmacist to help you with a mucolytic as most of them are available over-the-counter (e.g. acetadote, mucomyst, etc.)
6. Lukewarm water with salt gargles 3 times a day
7. Keeping yourself warm
8. Keeping yourself hydrated
9. Keeping away from people who have or can get the infection from you, as a vicious cycle is usually formed in households
I understand you must be exhausted and frustrated, which is why people hate contracting a ear infection in the first place, but you will have to be patient ma'am. I see that your doctor has been quite thorough, and I have only minor change to contribute, so my main advise would be rest and adequate hydration. :)
Stay strong and do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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