Booked In At The Docs
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
April 16, 2013 8:30am CST
For the last 3 days I've been treating my blocked left ear myself, using a product including drops and one of those balloon syringes. To my dismay, there hasn't been much of an improvement so I was left with no alternative but to ring up the doctors for an appointment. Apparently, there was an 8.40am cancellation tomorrow so I've got in then.
I doubt if the doctor will syringe my ear there and then (like the good old days when they used to do everything) as I'll - no doubt - be referred to the Nurse on some other date, but at least he'll be able to look inside my ear as I can't do that, of course. My guess is the wax is compacted making it hard to be removed. Obviously, I don't want to keep using drops as there's a risk I might damage my ear drum if I'm not concentrating properly.
It is weird though, as I actually woke up 2 Sundays ago (at Mum's) with this loss of hearing and it's never been the same since.
One day I'll wake up and there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with me. That would be nice!
4 people like this
10 responses
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Apr 13
In a way, I'm annoyed with myself because, last week I rang the doctors and actually told the receptionist that I wanted my ear syringed. If I'd said I wanted a basic appointment, not saying the reason why..she would've got me in. Turns out I couldn't just book an ear syringing, I have to be looked at first..after treating it myself, which is the most dangerous option of all, in my opinion.
Doctors. They - literally - make me sick!
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51838)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
16 Apr 13
You'll be in heaven, either figuratively or literally.
If you tell the doctor that you've been putting drops in your ear, he may syringe it. The purpose of the drops is to soften the wax, making it easier to be flushed out, not to dissolve it.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
16 Apr 13
I did not know this - useful information as I suffer from this very frequently
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Apr 13
The problem is, many doctors in this country hardly ever perform procedures like this anymore as they have a Nurse (or Nurses) based at the Practice so they get to do their dirty work instead. The only thing Nurses cannot do is prescribe tablets..but they do everything else.
Anyway, at least I've got in nice an early, so I've got to think positively about it.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
16 Apr 13
Hi Janey oh yes that would be nice to wake up and not have a thing wrong with you, I think thats why I have been putting ofgf going to my doctor.
Anyway i am really sorry the
drops did no work but now you have the appointment I really hope he doctor will be able to get our ear opened and Your hearing back to normal.
drops did no work but now you have the appointment I really hope he doctor will be able to get our ear opened and Your hearing back to normal.1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Apr 13
Hiya Hatley. Yes, I was annoyed last week when I wasn't allowed to book an appointment there and then for an ear syringing. I blame the fact budgets are now controlled by the doctors, rather than being in one big pot..but anyway, I'm seeing a doctor tomorrow and he or she can take a look down the air themselves and probably go..'Oooo, there's a lot of compacted wax down there..I think an appointment for an ear syringing is in order.' Which is what I wanted in the first place lol.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Apr 13
Stupid, if it's blocked, why wouldn't they just take care of it?
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
16 Apr 13
I have exactly the same problem and it is so painful. I have had this complaint for about 30 years. Noemally, I would warm glycerine a little and put drops in both ears several nights a week even if there was no pain and this kept the ears unblocked. But I got out of this habit. I am now on my second bottle of wax remover and if it is not better by tomorrow then I will have to go to the doctor. And yes, it will be syringed immediately of this is necessary. Guess what will be on my shopping list later? Yes. Small bottle of glycerine and it will be there on my night table along with the other meds. Hope WE get well soon
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
16 Apr 13
The doctor, if he is worth his salt, would check both years and syrnge both ears. I always had both syringed at the same time. Ask him to check both and do both if necessary. I have lost a little hearing on one ear due to so many indfections
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Apr 13
Years ago I had a bad ear infection and, to be honest, it's never been the same although my hearing, generally, isn't at all bad. Any build up of wax, however, isn't good for my ears and it did work the last time I had it done.
I hope your ears are feeling better very soon..and let me know if you have to have yours syringed. I do know that some doctors are reluctant to do both at the same time, which is a bit odd. Do you think the doctor might look in my right ear as well or not bother?
@changjiangzhibin89 (17243)
• China
18 Apr 13
It seems to be quite a bother to you.Seeing that the ear wax failed to respond to the drops,moving it might take some doing.How did you treat it last time ? What about using the olive ?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
18 Apr 13
I decided to cancel the doctor's appointment in the end and carry on treating the ear myself. I haven't really given it enough time to work..so that's what I'm doing now. My hearing has improved a bit and a tiny amount of wax has dislodged, but not enough to make a vast difference. I won't give up though and have a massive bottle of olive oil to attack if this stuff doesn't work!
@wolfie34 (26770)
• United Kingdom
18 Apr 13
Some doctors and nurses are a bit funny when it comes to the ears, I have known some practices refuse to syringe, others insist of syringing one ear, and expecting you to come back in a week's time to do the other, they won't do both at the same time, which seems crazy and a waste of time to me, if they have you there, wouldn't it be simpler to do both? If I could wave my wand and make you wake up tomorrow feeling on top of the world with no aches, pains or problems you know I'd do it in a heartbeat my friend, cos I'm sure you'd do the same for me. Good luck with the docs
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
18 Apr 13
I would do the same for you, you're right my friend.
As for my ear I cancelled the appointment and I'm carrying on treating the wax problem myself. My hearing has improved a bit and tiny amounts of wax have been dislodged, but that's been it up to now.
I won't give up though!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
18 Apr 13
I know I am a pain in the rectum but I cancelled in the end. The reason being that I've seen (or should I say 'heard') a slight improvement. From reading some more reviews about my drops/balloon syringe they are saying that, in some cases, it needs a few more goes for it to work..so that's what I'm doing. Eventually, the wax will be soft enough to plop out into the sink, hopefully.
1 person likes this
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
16 Apr 13
I would have been rather surprised if the drops had worked.
Having gone both the syringe and suction routes with my ears, I would say that I think that suctioning is the better route. It's more comfortable and, it may have just been my imagination, but it seemed to be more effective. Plus, it is a bit more comfortable.
If you are having recurring issues with your ears that are happening on a fairly regular basis, it may be good to have an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) take a look at your ears.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Apr 13
Yes, this is why I'm seeing the doctor, initially. He will be able to identify what's wrong and make a decision one way or another.
One thing's for sure, I hate not being able to hear properly!
@inertia4 (27978)
• United States
27 Apr 13
You better get to the doctor. Look, you might also have a sinus infection that is affecting your ear. I suffer from wax build up on the inner ear myself. But I do notice around allergy season my ears always get affected. Also, not that I want to bring this up, but make sure nothing crawled into your ear. That is always a fear of mine. And that would freak me out if something like that happened. But I think it is just wax. Get that taken care of as soon as possible.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
27 Apr 13
I've got in on Monday morning. I've noticed my hearing is more impaired now than it was a few days ago so it's just as well I've got in. I doubt if the doctor will syringe my ear there and then (as they get the Nurse to do it on another day, which is pathetic, but there you go) but, if it's not down to wax then I will probably be referred to the hospital.
I'm hoping and praying that it's the former that is wrong with me. It was horrible going round the supermarket with John today and hardly being able to hear out of my left ear.
