haha, go see a doctor silly. I don't think this is a medical forum. I'm just picking but I would go back to your doc. That does suck when your a studio engineer. I hope it heals quick!

Good Luck,

TJ

Originally posted by red man:
...infection is gone but my left ear is STILL blocked, maybe 60%, by water, mucous, who knows...anyone know how to drain it?

:) Well, this may work, pinch your nose shut and suck trying to breath through your nose. You will feel the negative pressure in your sinus. A yawn type of action should release it. :d: Don't suck so hard that it hurts you. If it doesn't release, chew some gum for a while. Most likely it is not mucous, just swollen sinus membranes blocking ustecion(sp) tube.
--Rick

"I'm not a doctor, but I play one on RO..." ;)

An over-the-counter decongestant (sudafed) may help reduce inflamation, but your best bet would be to see your doctor again. A prescription synthetic corticosteroid would probably do a better job. Drink plenty of water as well and let time run its course.

BTW, resist the urge to stick anything into your outer ear canal, even though it feels full. You could aggravate your condition, or worse, damage your eardrum.

I know this isn't a medical forum, but I was a long-time chronic sinus infection sufferer (4-5 infections a year) and I found something a little over a year ago that sounds gross/uncomfortable but feels fine and totally works. This might not sound relevant to an ear infection but it is (this stuff is all connected).

For the record, I am *not* an alternative medicine nut (actually my dad is a physician, so I've done my time with tons of antibiotics, etc.).

It's called Jala Neti - in a nutshell you take a watering can-like pot (called a Neti pot), put some warm saltwater in it, lean over a sink and pour the water into one nostril. The water naturally just washes through your sinuses and comes out the other nostril. It sounds like something that would be totally uncomfortable and it *is* - IF you don't have the water at the right temperature/salinity. You use non-iodized salt (about 1/3 teaspoon to 10oz of water) and a pinch of baking soda.

I really like the neti pot I got at this place:
http://www.healthandyoga.com/
(I don't endorse the other stuff on the site - like I said, I'm not an alternative medicine nut) but the pot they sell is cheap and *very* well made.

This sounds like a cheesy testimonial, but I went from having several sinus infections a year to zero major infections - the minute I sense some congestion (very often in the winter - I have bad sinuses) I use the Neti pot once or twice a day and the problem is solved. Takes 3 minutes and I'll go from completely congested to completely clear.

Good luck!

-vas

I really like the neti pot I got at this place: http://www.healthandyoga.com/
(I don't endorse the other stuff on the site - like I said, I'm not an alternative medicine nut) but the pot they sell is cheap and *very* well made.

I second the motion, a good friend of mine actually gave me one to try and I was very skeptical, but he said it took away his sinus problems... Yes it is a little strange at first, but it will clear you up like you would not believe and if you keep it up, no more sudafeds/allegra/claritin - I was addicted to all of those ! Hope this helps !