How can I relieve the pain in my ears?

You can take pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofin that will help with inflammation, although my experience is that it is not sufficient for ear infections.

I strongly suggest you call the doctor’s office and tell them you are in extreme pain and need relief immediately. Your doctor can prescribe a painkiller. I also do not understand why the culture is not back five days later. If it was me, I would consider going to an ENT specialist if you do not get satisfaction in 48 hours.

I know from experience that serious complications can ensue from untreated ear infections. I did not get help from GPs.

Seems like you should have gotten results by now… if it’s not too late where you are, I also think you should call your dr, tell them you need pain relief. Bummer on the decongestants, I get the same thing.

The type of bacteria causing an infection can be grown and identified in 48 hours. The doctor could get the results without waiting for paper to arrive. He should have given you something for pain when you were there.

Hi, I am an Audiologist. I agree that you should see an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist, because I am not too impressed with your primary Dr. based on your description.

I know that sudafed and the like are off-limits, but what about Mucinex (guaifenesin)? That helps break up the mucus… I’d ask about that, too.

I hope you feel better soon!

I know how painful this is I used to have chronic earaches.I don’t know if this is bad for your ears or anything, but I used to heat baby oil and pour it in my ear. The warmth of the oil made it feel so much better. I also used to sit in front of a heater with my ear close to it. ((Hugs)) and I hope you feel better really soon!

I found this as well.

I would go get this looked at again very soon. A prolonged unchecked infection can spread to more vital organs very easily. Make sure it’s not mastoiditis: https://health.google.com/health/ref/Mastoiditis

i had it as did my gradfather. Very painful and unpleasant.

Seriously go get this looked at tomorrow. My step brother almost died from an unchecked gum infection that spread to his heart. I also know another man who was blinded and deafened (permanently) by an unresolved sinus infection that persisted for weeks and then spread.

Thank you for all your responses, right now I’m wearing earmuffs permanently, I’ve now got a cough and sore throat but I think that’s unrelated just something to add to the list. I hate moaning about being sick but you’ve all been so nice thank you. Hopefully on Monday I’ll get to go back to the doctors as my surgery is closed ‘til then.

@sjmc: Heat does offer temporary releif from the discomfort. However, if there is an infection in the external ear canal or any discharge from the ear, nothing should be pit in there unless directed by the physician. Also, the article suggests using a hair dryer – bad idea – the heat, noise and air pressure from a hair dryer can be potentially damaging to the ears. Because of this, an ENT Dr. developed the Sahara Ear Dryer with safe levels of heat, sound and air pressure. It is sold at Target and online, and feels really good (and I don’t raven get earaches).

@hearkat Yeah I also didn’t like the idea of putting a blow dryer to my aching ear! I thought the force of air would be pretty painful. Thanks for the information helpful as always.