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What Causes Pain And Discomfort In Right Ear And Shortness Of Breath?
Question: I have pain in my right ear .
A doctor drained in and it was better for a short time but now it hurts again.
This is a major discomfort and I cannot sleep.
Even walking and sitting do not help, thereby not lying down on the ear itself still hurts.
I also have breathing problems (shortness of breath) which all occurred at the same time.
All of the above coincidentally started when I was stung by bees (6-10 times) by yellow jackets back in September 2015.
I have been stung in the past (at a much earlier age) and never had any after issues.
The doctor says it will go away but it hasn't.
A doctor drained in and it was better for a short time but now it hurts again.
This is a major discomfort and I cannot sleep.
Even walking and sitting do not help, thereby not lying down on the ear itself still hurts.
I also have breathing problems (shortness of breath) which all occurred at the same time.
All of the above coincidentally started when I was stung by bees (6-10 times) by yellow jackets back in September 2015.
I have been stung in the past (at a much earlier age) and never had any after issues.
The doctor says it will go away but it hasn't.
Brief Answer:
Here are my ideas and a list of my suggestions
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. The symptoms you are experiencing is purely a reaction to the bee stings, and is indeed an extreme reaction to yellow jacket bee stings. But I have one question for you, could you list out all the sites of the bee stings so I can better understand how those stings could have caused manifestations in and around your ear canal?
Breathlessness is common, yet should not last for this long. I would recommend the following ma'am:
+Use of benadryl or other anti-histamines which suit you to observe whether there is a regression of your symptoms
+An elaborate blood panel to check on/rule out/confirm any infections (will be seen by increase in white blood cell count), inflammation (by ESR), or allergic reaction (eosinophils). Depending on what the blood report suggests, we can direct treatment accordingly
+As your symptoms have lasted ever since the bee stings, I would recommend an ENT specialist to be brought into the equation, so that you are allowed an elaborate evaluation of your ear canal, to make sure this is not an infection
Mainly because symptoms or side effects of bee stings do not last this long; broadening our horizon on this, we should consider possibility of these being conditions that occurred simultaneously to the bee stings and were just not given the attention they deserved (e.g. respiratory condition, ear infection, etc.)
+I would also like to note that drainage of the ear canal performed did provide you with some amount of relief, then why not investigate further and go about adequate drainage once again along with antibiotic coverage?
You need to understand ma'am, that I can only provide ideas as to what can be done or needs to be done, as I am not physically present there. So you need to find a doctor who you can share these ideas with, and who can help resolve your symptoms permanently.
I hope and pray you can first establish a diagnosis with your doctor, as half our battle would be won there itself. Please do not hesitate to write to me for any clarifications at all, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Here are my ideas and a list of my suggestions
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. The symptoms you are experiencing is purely a reaction to the bee stings, and is indeed an extreme reaction to yellow jacket bee stings. But I have one question for you, could you list out all the sites of the bee stings so I can better understand how those stings could have caused manifestations in and around your ear canal?
Breathlessness is common, yet should not last for this long. I would recommend the following ma'am:
+Use of benadryl or other anti-histamines which suit you to observe whether there is a regression of your symptoms
+An elaborate blood panel to check on/rule out/confirm any infections (will be seen by increase in white blood cell count), inflammation (by ESR), or allergic reaction (eosinophils). Depending on what the blood report suggests, we can direct treatment accordingly
+As your symptoms have lasted ever since the bee stings, I would recommend an ENT specialist to be brought into the equation, so that you are allowed an elaborate evaluation of your ear canal, to make sure this is not an infection
Mainly because symptoms or side effects of bee stings do not last this long; broadening our horizon on this, we should consider possibility of these being conditions that occurred simultaneously to the bee stings and were just not given the attention they deserved (e.g. respiratory condition, ear infection, etc.)
+I would also like to note that drainage of the ear canal performed did provide you with some amount of relief, then why not investigate further and go about adequate drainage once again along with antibiotic coverage?
You need to understand ma'am, that I can only provide ideas as to what can be done or needs to be done, as I am not physically present there. So you need to find a doctor who you can share these ideas with, and who can help resolve your symptoms permanently.
I hope and pray you can first establish a diagnosis with your doctor, as half our battle would be won there itself. Please do not hesitate to write to me for any clarifications at all, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
After your questions to me I felt I would go into more detail here in hopes to find an answer to my health issues.
As I had said in September 2015 I was stung 10 to 20 times on my ankles and legs from stepping on a hornet nest.
I took benadryl within 20 minutes of the bee stings and although at the time I did not have a breathing issue I did have an extreme nervous system reaction which lasted for days.
The months of October, November and December were very stressful. I usually do not have problems with stress but my brother was beaten by a gang and paralyzed (as of today he still can not move his arms or legs well and needs help holding a phone, my 40 year old daughter went in for an emergency hysterectomy and a childhood friend died. During all of this I was packing and moving into a new home.
I mention some of the above before getting into my symptoms here because of the unusual circumstances.
Since September I have had problems with ear congestion and pain in my ustation tube and throat. It started as a tickle in my throat and even though I thought I might be getting sick the feeling was different. I tried many natural remedies to cure the problem including over the counter allergy medicines and nothing seemed to work.
As time went on my ear hurt more and I was having trouble sleeping so I went to a regular MD who told me it would go away and found nothing but a lot of fluid in my ears.
I waited a month and the problems began to get worse. There was more pain in my ear and I felt like I had a lump in my throat. I started having a lot of gas and twice had some chest pain. I have had stomach issues in the past. I also felt a slight burning sensation in my throat and was coughing a lot with little or no sleep.
At this point I went to a ENT who told me I had fluid in my ears, drained them and told me I was fine.
I felt slight relief from the fluid draining but within a few days although the coughing was better my throat and ears were hurting more and very sore. If I cough now it feels like my whole throat and chest are totally raw and it burns a lot.
I checked on line trying to find some answers and started a strict diet and began talking apple cider vinegar thinking I my have re flux disease. It has been two week now with little if no results from trying this and I am still not sleeping well even though the stress in my life has decreased and I have been meditating for stress reduction almost every day.
I am hoping you can help me get some answers. Thank you
As I had said in September 2015 I was stung 10 to 20 times on my ankles and legs from stepping on a hornet nest.
I took benadryl within 20 minutes of the bee stings and although at the time I did not have a breathing issue I did have an extreme nervous system reaction which lasted for days.
The months of October, November and December were very stressful. I usually do not have problems with stress but my brother was beaten by a gang and paralyzed (as of today he still can not move his arms or legs well and needs help holding a phone, my 40 year old daughter went in for an emergency hysterectomy and a childhood friend died. During all of this I was packing and moving into a new home.
I mention some of the above before getting into my symptoms here because of the unusual circumstances.
Since September I have had problems with ear congestion and pain in my ustation tube and throat. It started as a tickle in my throat and even though I thought I might be getting sick the feeling was different. I tried many natural remedies to cure the problem including over the counter allergy medicines and nothing seemed to work.
As time went on my ear hurt more and I was having trouble sleeping so I went to a regular MD who told me it would go away and found nothing but a lot of fluid in my ears.
I waited a month and the problems began to get worse. There was more pain in my ear and I felt like I had a lump in my throat. I started having a lot of gas and twice had some chest pain. I have had stomach issues in the past. I also felt a slight burning sensation in my throat and was coughing a lot with little or no sleep.
At this point I went to a ENT who told me I had fluid in my ears, drained them and told me I was fine.
I felt slight relief from the fluid draining but within a few days although the coughing was better my throat and ears were hurting more and very sore. If I cough now it feels like my whole throat and chest are totally raw and it burns a lot.
I checked on line trying to find some answers and started a strict diet and began talking apple cider vinegar thinking I my have re flux disease. It has been two week now with little if no results from trying this and I am still not sleeping well even though the stress in my life has decreased and I have been meditating for stress reduction almost every day.
I am hoping you can help me get some answers. Thank you
Brief Answer:
I do believe your symptoms are related to GERD, pls read
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
First of all, all of your symptoms except the fluid in your ears point towards a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is related to acid reflux. For your information, I shall list all the symptoms out for you:
+Dry cough
+Sensation of a lump at the back of your throat
+Regurgitation of food or drink into the mouth
+Bitter taste in mouth due to regurgitation of food or liquid into the mouth
+Heart burn
+Abdominal bloating
+Sore throat
+Hoarseness of voice
+Difficulty swallowing
Although not all the symptoms need to be present, they can most certainly appear in time as the condition progresses.
I also would like to point out that the precautions or treatment you took will not suffice to treat the condition, and so here are my suggestions:
+Avoid spicy food
+Avoid carbonated drinks
+Avoid smoking
+Avoid oily food
+Avoid alcohol
+Avoid long gaps between meals
+Have 5-6 smaller meals instead of 2-3 larger ones
+Avoid fatty food
+Drink plenty of water
+Avoid fried food
+Avoid tea and/or coffee
+Avoid stress
+Avoid strenuous forms of exercise
+If you are overweight, then try and lose some weight
+Make sure you finish your dinner (last meal of the day) at least 3 hours prior to bedtime
+Try and get a 15-30 minute walk at least an hour before bed time
+Take one tablet of 30 mg lansoprazole once every morning for the rest of your life
+Avoid over eating
+Take 1 tablet of ranitidine or omeprazole 15 minutes before each meal every time you experience aggravation of your symptoms
If you follow my suggestions religiously, I am sure you will achieve success and suppress most or all of your symptoms. I hope and pray you experience a rapid and complete recovery at the earliest.
Please do not hesitate to write to me for any further clarifications, as I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
I do believe your symptoms are related to GERD, pls read
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
First of all, all of your symptoms except the fluid in your ears point towards a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is related to acid reflux. For your information, I shall list all the symptoms out for you:
+Dry cough
+Sensation of a lump at the back of your throat
+Regurgitation of food or drink into the mouth
+Bitter taste in mouth due to regurgitation of food or liquid into the mouth
+Heart burn
+Abdominal bloating
+Sore throat
+Hoarseness of voice
+Difficulty swallowing
Although not all the symptoms need to be present, they can most certainly appear in time as the condition progresses.
I also would like to point out that the precautions or treatment you took will not suffice to treat the condition, and so here are my suggestions:
+Avoid spicy food
+Avoid carbonated drinks
+Avoid smoking
+Avoid oily food
+Avoid alcohol
+Avoid long gaps between meals
+Have 5-6 smaller meals instead of 2-3 larger ones
+Avoid fatty food
+Drink plenty of water
+Avoid fried food
+Avoid tea and/or coffee
+Avoid stress
+Avoid strenuous forms of exercise
+If you are overweight, then try and lose some weight
+Make sure you finish your dinner (last meal of the day) at least 3 hours prior to bedtime
+Try and get a 15-30 minute walk at least an hour before bed time
+Take one tablet of 30 mg lansoprazole once every morning for the rest of your life
+Avoid over eating
+Take 1 tablet of ranitidine or omeprazole 15 minutes before each meal every time you experience aggravation of your symptoms
If you follow my suggestions religiously, I am sure you will achieve success and suppress most or all of your symptoms. I hope and pray you experience a rapid and complete recovery at the earliest.
Please do not hesitate to write to me for any further clarifications, as 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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