Medical Advice itP?

[Solo]

So, about three weeks ago, I caught a cold shortly before heading off on a plane trip to China, and when I landed I had a middle ear infection.

I have since taken two weeks (more accurately, 10 days) worth of antibiotics and a decongestant medicine, but as of today, a doctor said that my ear drub was still slightly inflamed.

Now, being as I am translating what he said into English, that may not be the correct medical terminology.

Anyways, I'm not sure what to do, because I dislike visiting hospitals, am getting fed up with taking medicine, and I have no idea why the ear infection is staying on despite nearly two weeks worth of pills.

Any ideas?

[Thes Hunter]

It means your going to die.

[Serpentine]

Could be lots of things. Could be that the antibiotics aren't the right ones for the infection (you got them with a prescription, didn't you? For the cold (which shouldn't be battled with antibiotics anyway) or the infection in particular?). Could be that the ear infection's a virus, not bacteria. Could be that there's something physically stuck in there. Could just be stubborn. The only advice is really just see a doctor (the same or a different one) and get as much detail and advice as you can.

edit: Ouch, Thes :smalleek: :smalltongue:

[Solo]

It means your going to die.

I don't think that's going to happen again.

[evisiron]

It means your going to die.

:smalleek::smalleek::smalleek:

Anyway... death notices aside can only say that it might be a good idea to heads to a doctor's office anyway. It could be a certain resistance that can be easily remedied through a different prescription.

[Trog]

Any ideas?
1. Cut off BOTH ears.
2. Paint something
3. Become TWICE as famous as Van Gogh.
4. ???
5. Profit.

[Solo]

3. Become TWICE as famous as Van Gogh.

Who?_____________

[Bag_of_Holding]

So it comes down to me to embarrass myself with incorrect medical knowledge from wikipedia and general googling, eh? :smallbiggrin:

1. As Serpentine suggested, your treatment may have been incorrect.

2. Have you taken your medicine as been told by the pharmacist (or GP)? Small things such as skipping a tablet of two because 'I felt better' is a big no-no if you're taking any medicine especially antibiotics.

3. 'If symptoms persist see your GP or pharmacist'. If you really do dislike seeing doctors (and paying so much money for it) your local pharmacists should be able to give you the right information, free of charge.




1. Cut off BOTH ears.
2. Paint something
3. Become TWICE as famous as Van Gogh.
4. ???
5. Profit.

I actually R-edOFL

[Solo]

2. Have you taken your medicine as been told by the pharmacist (or GP)? Small things such as skipping a tablet of two because 'I felt better' is a big no-no if you're taking any medicine especially antibiotics.


I've taken medicine as prescribed by a doctor.

There was a gap between the first course and the second course, because I had to go to a different hospital to get a checkup and prescription after my first supply ran out.

[Dallas-Dakota]

Who?_____________

Dutch artist killed by the Tali Ban I think or some moslim extremists.

[randman22222]

Dutch artist killed by the Tali Ban I think or some moslim extremists.

Killed by the Taliban/Muslim extremists?

That takes the cake. That was... wow.

HE DIED IN FREAKING 1890!!! (Suicide, as well.)

Go and educate yourself.

[Bag_of_Holding]

Killed by the Taliban/Muslim extremists?

That takes the cake. That was... wow.

HE DIED IN FREAKING 1890!!! (Suicide, as well.)

Go and educate yourself.


The cake is a lie

[Haruki-kun]

My advice:

Don't seek advice from the internet. Consult another doctor if you think it's not working properly.

Might sound harsh, but most of us didn't study medicine. Sorry, guys, no offense meant to anyone (especially if one of you DID study medicine. >.>).

[NikkTheTrick]

Anyways, I'm not sure what to do, because I dislike visiting hospitals,
Well... gotta do what you gotta do. Keep treating the infection untill it is gone completely.

am getting fed up with taking medicine,
Do NOT stop taking medicine untill your doctor says it is enough. Especially antibiotics. You need to make sure all bacteria is dead. If bacteria is exposed to antibiotics and survive, they can develop resistance to that antibiotic. Last thing you want is bacteria that is resistant to every antibiotic we have.

and I have no idea why the ear infection is staying on despite nearly two weeks worth of pills.
Because bacteria don't want to die. So, they will do their best to stay alive despite your best efforts to kill them. Just keep killing them untill they are all dead.

[Brickwall]

My advice:

Don't seek advice from the internet. Consult another doctor if you think it's not working properly.

Might sound harsh, but most of us didn't study medicine. Sorry, guys, no offense meant to anyone (especially if one of you DID study medicine. >.>).

I'm thinking your advice is more pertinent to these folk than it is to the rest of the internet, least this time 'round.

What happened to the days where the Playground would rally to help if someone had medical problems? Now it's just mean jokes. Kids these days... :smallsigh:

Ear infections are disastrously tenacious little bastards. It may be an issue of treatment, but don't discount the idea that you might need to wait longer. Sorry.

[Narmoth]

I've taken medicine as prescribed by a doctor.

There was a gap between the first course and the second course, because I had to go to a different hospital to get a checkup and prescription after my first supply ran out.

There you have it. You should get a different antibiotic the 2nd time, and take it as a full 14 day course.

Also, if you tell me what the diagnosis were (what kind of infection) and what you are taking, I might be able to say more

[Solo]

So far, i have gotten two different antibiotics, and the most recent prescription is for the second type, although I have the option of taking the first type again if I want.

The first course lasted 6.5 days, and the second was 4.5 days. (4 tablets per day, there were two left over each time...)

I can't quite translate the diagnosis into English, but it's along the lines of "middle ear infection due to/compounded by traveling on an airplane".

[Nychta]

1. Cut off BOTH ears.
2. Paint something
3. Become TWICE as famous as Van Gogh.
4. ???
5. Profit.

I was fully prepared not to laugh when you said to cut off both ears.
But I laughed anyway.
Which is rare because I rarely laugh at things I see on the 'net. :smallbiggrin:

Awww my poor big bro's sick! :smalleek:
If it were me I'd be packed off to our chinese doctor for herbs and acupuncture
I expect there's no shortage where you are
So if you're okay with alternative medicine it would be worth a shot.

(Oh, and Chi Gong doctors are also good for this kind of thing. Some family friend had the same (kinda) problem).

[Artemician]

If it were me I'd be packed off to our chinese doctor for herbs and acupuncture
I expect there's no shortage where you are
So if you're okay with alternative medicine it would be worth a shot.

(Oh, and Chi Gong doctors are also good for this kind of thing. Some family friend had the same (kinda) problem).

Traditional Chinese Medicine is good for a lot of things, but in this case, it isn't. Antibiotics are going to be your best option.

[Raiser Blade]

It means your going to die.

Well death is pretty much a side effect of being born so it shouldn't be that big of a shock. :smalltongue:

Also I am not a trained doctor but I do have a time honored solution/cure for infections that has been passed down my family for generations.

Spoilered for length.
DO A BARREL ROLL!!!!!!!

[Solo]

I was fully prepared not to laugh when you said to cut off both ears.
But I laughed anyway.
Which is rare because I rarely laugh at things I see on the 'net. :smallbiggrin:


Hey...



Awww my poor big bro's sick! :smalleek:
If it were me I'd be packed off to our chinese doctor for herbs and acupuncture
I expect there's no shortage where you are
So if you're okay with alternative medicine it would be worth a shot.

(Oh, and Chi Gong doctors are also good for this kind of thing. Some family friend had the same (kinda) problem).
*sigh*
Well, I suppose you had to be told some time.

Sis, Chinese medicine doesn't work that way. Needle's can't kill a bacterial/viral infection, although herbs may stand a chance at weakening a bacterial infection, but less a chance than a good dose of penicillin.

[Rykaj]

Killed by the Taliban/Muslim extremists?

That takes the cake. That was... wow.

HE DIED IN FREAKING 1890!!! (Suicide, as well.)

Go and educate yourself.

Dallas just made the mistake to think Dutch news was world news. He was referring to this guy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theo_van_Gogh_%28film_director%29#Van_Gogh.27s_mur der). But that's enough of the off-topicness.

More on topic, don't ask for medical advice from strangers on the internet. If you doubt your own doctor, visit another (even though that might hurt the trusting relation with your current doctor if he's petty).

[Solo]

I'm currently abroad. I distrust all doctors...

[llamamushroom]

As a rule, doctors can be trusted... even if yours is not their first language.

I've had a quick browse through The Merck Manual, and there's no mention of ear infections like those you are describing (at least, none concerning the tympanic membrane (ear drum) that don't involve hearing loss or fever). Stupid useless book!

[Solo]

So far, things I have not suffered from are:

Hearing Loss
Bleeding
Discharge
Pain
Vertigo
Urge to watch reruns of Family Guy

For the record.

[Narmoth]

well, any antibiotics you take, should be taken for 14 days.

That's all I've have to say about it. Since you don't have pain, why did you start bothering about it at all?

[Felixaar]

NO BODY SUFFERS FROM FAMILY GUY RERUNS!

now, as far your dillemma
- absolutely NO SWIMMING.
- drink LOTS of water. and I mean lots. Drink it when you want it, when you dont want it, especially when you dont want it, and make sure it's ICE COLD. And, as part of the no swimming thing, dont get it in your ear.
- If you've already taken a course of antibiotics, it might just need some time to heal up. Go to your local pharmacist/chemist and tell them you have an ear infection, they should give you some drops for it. Take the drops, dont be a baby, they're better than eye drops. Make sure to confirm how often and how many drops should be taken.
- If symptoms persist after ten days, DO go see a doctor.

Out of curiosity, have you ever had an ear infection before? My mum gets them almost chronically. Ofcourse, chances are it's just a bad combo of the cold+air pressure in flight+my voodoo doll.

We should start a medical advice thread :smallbiggrin:

[Solo]

well, any antibiotics you take, should be taken for 14 days.

That's all I've have to say about it. Since you don't have pain, why did you start bothering about it at all?

Cause there were these funny clicking sounds in my ear.

There usually are, but it got really bad after I got off the plane.

[Serpentine]

Cause there were these funny clicking sounds in my ear.:eek:
Crap. I just realised what I meant to mention to the doctor when I went the other day :smallannoyed: I hear it as more of a fluttering sort of a sensation...

[Felixaar]

I get clicking at the peak of my spine sometimes when I walk. Since my head is yet to topple of my shoulders, I dont think its too big a worry.

[Artemician]

I get clicking at the peak of my spine sometimes when I walk. Since my head is yet to topple of my shoulders, I dont think its too big a worry.

I'm no doctor, but clicking sounds coming from your neck and clicking sounds coming from your ear are entirely different symptoms altogether.

[Solo]

I'm no doctor, but clicking sounds coming from your neck and clicking sounds coming from your ear are entirely different symptoms altogether.

The neck bone is connected to the ear bone, you know.

[LCR]

I get clicking at the peak of my spine sometimes when I walk. Since my head is yet to topple of my shoulders, I dont think its too big a worry.

Stop walking, then.

Best medical advice ever. They should just give me that damn license already.

[Serpentine]

I get clicking at the peak of my spine sometimes when I walk. Since my head is yet to topple of my shoulders, I dont think its too big a worry.OMG! I get that too! =O 'cept sometimes it sounds like it's coming from where my spine meets my skull, sometimes further down my spine, and sometimes somewhere like my hip. Seems to happen more when I put my left foot down, too...

LCR: My mother's an experienced GP doctor, and she still uses that one - "It hurts when I do this." "Well don't do that."
:smallannoyed:

[Felixaar]

art, their different, but probably have a common source.

LCR, I tried but then I drank too much water and... well, you know what happens next.

Heh, weird, innit, Serp? Well, I don't think it's too much to worry about, so long as it doesnt actually cause pain. It's kind of like that clicking noise certain people get in the back of their jaw. Strange, but not actually deficial. Probably couldnt hurt to ask your mum about it though :smallconfused: The coolest thing I find is when I'm listening to music while walking (so basically, whenever I'm walking) and the clicks start to make like, sort of a beat. It's second only to that time a car crashed right infront of the bus stop. Awesome sound effect.

[Yoritomo Himeko]

So, about three weeks ago, I caught a cold shortly before heading off on a plane trip to China, and when I landed I had a middle ear infection.

I have since taken two weeks (more accurately, 10 days) worth of antibiotics and a decongestant medicine, but as of today, a doctor said that my ear drub was still slightly inflamed.

Now, being as I am translating what he said into English, that may not be the correct medical terminology.

Anyways, I'm not sure what to do, because I dislike visiting hospitals, am getting fed up with taking medicine, and I have no idea why the ear infection is staying on despite nearly two weeks worth of pills.

Any ideas?

Well no one likes to go to the hospital, but if there's a serious problem, you should have it checked out.

My uneducated guess would be that the bacteria are still there. That's all I can say. Only a doctor can help you. I hope you feel better soon.

[dish]

I'm currently abroad. I distrust all doctors...

Are you still in China? Which city are you in right now?

I've lived here for ten years.

There are good doctors in China, but it can sometimes be difficult to find them. If you're in a big city with a large expat population you should be able to find a clinic which specialises in foreigners and where you can at least communicate properly with the doctors. Also in a big city you've got a good chance of finding a decently qualified doctor (one who went to university, or, if you're very lucky - grad school).

Unfortunately, if you're in a small city, there's a good chance that any doctor you're going to see only has a junior college level education. Some of them are competent, but the only way to find out which ones you can trust is to poll a group of locals and see if they offer a consensus.

If you're returning home soon, I'd say continue with the antibiotics and visit your own doctor as soon as you get back. If you're here for a long time then I'd recommend a trip to your nearest big city. If you're in Guangdong then it's probably time for a trip over to Hong Kong - plenty of good clinics there. If you're in Shanghai send me a pm and I'll recommend the clinic I go to.

I can tell you some horror stories about hospitals I've visited and mis-diagnoses I've witnessed here. But you might want to wait until you're better...

Also, I'm amazed that they haven't tried to stick the antibiotics into you by IV - that's the normal way they do it.

[Solo]

Are you still in China? Which city are you in right now?

I'm in Beijing. It's where I usually find myself when I go to China.



There are good doctors in China, but it can sometimes be difficult to find them. If you're in a big city with a large expat population you should be able to find a clinic which specialises in foreigners and where you can at least communicate properly with the doctors.

I speak Chinese, and have family on this side to speak Chinese for me if mine fails me. Language isn't the issue... it's an ear infection that's been persisting for two weeks...

[dish]

I'm in Beijing. It's where I usually find myself when I go to China.

I speak Chinese, and have family on this side to speak Chinese for me if mine fails me. Language isn't the issue... it's an ear infection that's been persisting for two weeks...

Agreed, Beijing and local relatives means you'll be getting the best treatment.

I'm still surprised that they haven't tried to give you antibiotics by IV though. When I was in Jiangxi they wouldn't consider anything less for an ear infection, and - it may be against standard (western) medical advice - but it worked like a charm. (Course, if it's viral, then that's no use.)

[Bonecrusher Doc]

This goes for all medical problems...

Most problems have their usual causes (known in medical lingo as "horses") and less likely but still possible other causes (known as "zebras" - I am not making this up!) The way docs are taught to practice is to treat as if you have the most likely diagnosis first, but if that treatment fails, to use a different treatment or do some more tests to make sure you're not dealing with "zebras." So if you trust your doctor, I would continue following up with him because he knows what he has looked for and tried so far and will then take the next step.

Specifically with ear infections, my baby daughter tried one antibiotic - didn't work, then a stronger one - didn't work, then she got some shots, which finally worked, but if they hadn't then she would have gotten tubes in her ears. Just to show you how a progression might go (admittedly differently for an adult).

[Felixaar]

so what your saying is that the world would be a healthier place if doctors spent more time on safari

[purple gelatinous cube o' Doom]

I used to get many ear infections, even into my second year in college in fact. The pain in ear infections usually come from a fluid filled sac pushing on your ear drum. If yours hasn't popped yet, I suggest buying a heating pad and putting it on low while you sleep, and that should do the trick. After that the antibiotics should work fine. I was usually given Amoxicillin for mine, and was prescribed 2 pills for ten days, and that usually did the trick. Sounds to me like you haven't taken one of the antibiotics long enough for it to be effective. I also just read on webmd, and maybe you might have Labyrinthitis, which is an inflammation of the inner ear. It can be caused by a virus as well as bacteria. It seems to be much more serious that what you're experiencing though, but says it can take 4-6 weeks to go away.

[Quincunx]

Confirm for me that it's possible to faint and keep one's eyes open. I scared the life out of my husband earlier tonight. :(

[Felixaar]

I dont know, but since it's - apparently - possible for one to sleep with their eyes open, I'd assume as much. Also, pic's or it didnt happen.