I recently had an ear infection accompanied by a build up of fluid in the middle ear. I was given Augmentin for 10 days. After finishing the antibiotics it felt as though I had even more liquid built up. About a week after no drainage, I returned to my family doctor and saw a PA, and they prescribed Azithromycin for 5 days. I have finished the latter regimen several days ago, and I believe the infection is gone, but I still have an excess of built up liquid in my middle ear. The PA I saw that prescribed me the Azithromycin suggested that I take antihistamines to help open up my eustachian tube. I had been on Zyrtec since the same time I started the Augmentin. I finished the 25 capsules that came in the bottle, they were 24 hour gel capsules for indoor and outdoor allergy relief. Still nothing. I am now taking Loratadine 24 hour tablets and there is still no improvement. I have tried steaming for several minutes, as well as stretching and massaging the neck and sinuses to help open the Eustachian tube. This morning I noticed that my tonsil and the area above it was irritated. I am private pay, so aside from going to an ENT in person and ending up paying my arm and a leg for my ear, what can you suggest?