The last few weeks have been the story of the cold that never ends. It started in my chest, then went to my eye, then my throat, and now it’s in my ears. My ears feel clogged, especially my right ear. Sounds are muffled, and it even hurts a little. I decided to go to the doctor yesterday. I was imagining that my ears would look terrible and the doctor would want to hurry to treat me. She said my left ear looked completely normal, and my right eardrum “looks a little dull, which means there may be some liquid behind it.”
Dang. I’m tired of feeling like an idiot. This time I did at least try to explain that I was experiencing symptoms I’ve never had before in my life. I wondered out loud if maybe I was experiencing a new kind of sickness because I was in a new area. They doctor thought that might be true. Or maybe I was experiencing some kind of reaction to the vog (volcanic fumes mixed with clouds and moisture in the air).
The doctor suggested numbing drops for my ears. I rejected that idea because pain is an indicator of trouble. What if my ears get worse? I wouldn’t know it. The other thing the doctor suggested was Sudafed. She said it may dry up the liquid behind my ears. I did decide to try that. I’m supposed to try it for a week, and if nothing changes, I should come back. I can’t decide if I want to get better, or if I want to get worse just to prove to the doctor I’m not crazy.
I had to show my ID to get this.
“Vog” – is that a bona fide earth science term? I’ve not seen it in our oh-so-current (ahem) textbook here…but I like it! It’s quite descriptive, and I’m glad you said it before I typed something about “You think volcanic fumes might be gettin’ to ya’?” Praying you either get 100% better from the Walgreens equivalent of Sudafed within the week – or, you get profoundly worse just to prove your point to the doctor….’cuz it’s all about the principle of the thing, right? 😉
I am a little irritated at your doctors. If you were a kid, how often would this have to happen before you got tubes in your ears?
God bless you for being so brave about pain. I am the complete opposite. No pain, no awareness of impending doom, no problem.
I’m with you. Get worse. That will show her. On a somewhat related note, I am not sick right now and will not get sick for the next 8 days. I will not.
I thimpathize, my nothe ith all plugged up too. <3
Have they ruled out allegergies?
Have you tried using a Neti pot? Just make sure you use distilled water.