I need some medical advice

[Sicilian]

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I experienced fluid buildup in my left ear canal about once or twice a week for three consecutive weeks (on odd days). I'm thinking its because I just moved north from a very humid climate in the South. And why does the fluid buildup appear randomly. Right now, my left ear seems to be fine; if I place a hand over it, the echo is just as strong as the echo from if I placed my hand over my right ear. I haven't experienced any fluid buildup since last Wednesday. Do I really need to see the doctor? Its a hassle to drive through traffic; I have stuff to do.

 

[dynx]

its a tumor

 

[DigDog]

go see a doctor

 

[Sicilian]

I take it you folks are not doctors.

 

[Radiohead]

The "S" in SDN should tell you something.

 

[Sicilian]

I've never come across an actual doctor who told off anyone who asked for medical advice. I assume you "aspiring" doctors will pick up on that eventually. S notwithstanding, there are still plenty of doctors on this forum. Hence the "D" in SDN.

 

[lattimer13]

dude, get off it...think about it...anybody could sign up for an account and be posting on these forums...you're really going to ask for medical advice over the internet and then follow it?

pay your $10 co-pay (hopefully you have insurance) and go see your doc.

 

[Aero047]

I don't get why some people have to be so sarcastic when there is someone obviously concerned about their health.

It would be best if you see a doctor.

 

[Sicilian]

I don't get why some people have to be so sarcastic when there is someone obviously concerned about their health.

It would be best if you see a doctor.

Thank you. I had assumed someone had diagnosed a similar case before, so I didn't think much of asking for advice. This hostility surprises me.

 

[Sicilian]

dude, get off it...think about it...anybody could sign up for an account and be posting on these forums...you're really going to ask for medical advice over the internet and then follow it? .

My case isn't serious. Yes, I've treated a lot of my own medical problems without consulting a doctor.

pay your $10 co-pay (hopefully you have insurance) and go see your doc.

Not that I have problems paying, with or without insurance, but I imagine they would do an X-ray on my ear and then prescribe some medication (assuming its an infection). Way more than $10.

 

[Sicilian]

Ideally, someone would have commented on whether the fluid was CSF, and if the infection might damage my ear drum. Anyway, maybe those things are just obvious and I am undereducated.

 

[Smurfette]

First of all, any doc would look in your ears and see if there was a problem. It's pretty hard to do that via the internet.

Second of all, there will not be an ear xray. *giggle* Never heard of such a thing for an ear infection. Just an office visit co-pay and prescription co-pay if you have insurance.

Third, if it is not of high priority to you to go to the doctor, then don't. It's your health, your time and your dime. If it has stopped bothering you and you have no symptoms, they *may* not find anything to treat.

 

[ellehcim]

I imagine they would do an X-ray on my ear and then prescribe some medication (assuming its an infection). Way more than $10.
Ideally, someone would have commented on whether the fluid was CSF

Please tell me you are taking the piss, cos otherwise I'm worried!


Dude, haven't you ever been to a doctor for an ear infection before?

 

[synapse lapse]

I take it you folks are not doctors.

haha what'd you expect a bunch of doctors sitting around with nothing to do but give away valuable free medical advise over the internet to people they never met, about conditions they can't observe to diagnose, without any legal recourse against malpractice claims for such advice. who posts on a web forum a health question anyhow? go see your doc, it can't be that bad if just driving through traffic is a hassle 🙄

 

[Sicilian]

Well, I am going to see the doc. But its only because of my latest discovery: if I press a finger against a bony ridge that curves downward over my left ear (excuse my lack of anatomical knowledge), I can feel the pressure from some fluid buildup, whereas, there is no pressure due to fluid buildup if I do the same around the right ear.

 

[deuist]

I've never come across an actual doctor who told off anyone who asked for medical advice. I assume you "aspiring" doctors will pick up on that eventually. S notwithstanding, there are still plenty of doctors on this forum. Hence the "D" in SDN.

First, students should NEVER give medical advice. They aren't licensed. Second, many doctors are going to be reluctant to give advice to someone that they don't know---especially online. Giving advice always assumes liability. Finally, even if a doc were to give you free advice online, he would tell you, "I can't give your ear an evaluation through your computer and therefore you should go see your family physician."

The purpose of these forums is to get advice on getting into medical school and how to do well once you're there. Don't start attacking people who could easily help you when you start filling out the AMCAS.

 

[dara678]

It's your ear -- you don't want anything to happen to your hearing so you should just go ahead and pay the copay. I doubt they will take an X-ray though, as they'll probably be able to see what's up with an otoscope, so maybe it will cost less.

Do you have any fever, chills or anything like that? that could signal an infection.

i've never heard of csf fluid buildup in the external ear canal before though ..

 

[TheThroat]

Are you having fluid actually draining out of your ear or are you having the sensation that your ear is full? They mean completely different things. Aural fullness is a common complaint. It is usually related to eustachian tube dysfunction. Otorrhea is pretty uncommon, but if it occuring without the symptoms of an external otitis (pain and tenderness), then it is possibly due to a perf'd TM and middle ear infection draining out of the perf. In the end, you need to see a doc.

 

[Ignacio]

Is ther ear pain? history of ear infections? Is your hearing compromised? Does fluid come out? Or is it just 'pressure' like on an airplane? Doesn't sound like external otitis since you're saying you feel 'pressure' buildup and you're not saying 'pain with discharge'. It might have to do with the moving... and the pressure changes; that's interesting - usually self-resolving. Do you feel a funny vibration from your throat when you talk in your L ear - that could be a E tube problem. Yes, have someone take a peek - they can easily rule out perf vs bulging TM c/w infection. Any fevers or recent history of upper rti? It sounds most c/w some eustachian tube pressure problem or pressure-related but I'm only a 5th year MS. I can do bread and butter medicine, best; this sounds like you'll need an ear person 🙂. Good luck and take care of yourself!

PS If you have fevers, chills, any systemic signs or neurologic signs including neck pain, etc, hurry over to your doc or go to urgent care and they'll see you faster.

 

[Beau Geste]

My case isn't serious. Yes, I've treated a lot of my own medical problems without consulting a doctor.



Not that I have problems paying, with or without insurance, but I imagine they would do an X-ray on my ear and then prescribe some medication (assuming its an infection). Way more than $10.

Sounds like Otitis media with effusion (if you have any drainage). The doctor will probably look in your ear with an otoscope to look at your tymps. If there's fluid, they will bulge a little outward because of the pressure. The fluid is not CSF, just fluid buildup from probable eustachian tube dysfunction or middle ear secretions (e.g. goblet cell hypersecretion). It could be CSF if you've had a skull fracture, but you didn't say anything about that. You are experiencing this probably because of an upper respiratory infection (usual cause) or it could be allergies, pressure differentials, bacterial infection, or general eustachian tube dysfunction. The physician will typically NOT take an xray of your ear for this, unless you've been exhibiting chronic symptoms of prebycusis, and in that case, you'd have been to an ENT, then to an audiologist, and back to an ENT for the xrays. The easiest test to run to determine if there is fluid in your ME cavity is a tympanogram, which a lot of offices have. (general diagnostic tool).

If you want to save yourself time and money, when you start to feel that dull "echo" as if an ear infection is coming on, start taking an antihistamine (or other allergy medication) that helps clear your head if/when your get allergies. You could also take guafenisen, an expectorant alternative to antibiotics. If you still feel stopped up after a few days, then go to the doctor.

The bony ridge you describe sounds like the helix of the ear.

I realize this post is a little outdated, and your ear infection has probably cleared by now, but you could use it as advice.

And I'm not a doctor. Most people that post here are not doctors - they are premeds or med students. Occasionally you'll run into a resident. I'm a speech-language pathologist with an audiology background so take my advice knowing I'm not a physician, but have audiology experience.

 

[DrMom]

Please do not use SDN for medical advice. Closing.