Ear Infection / Head Cold

[Iamme]

You're right, it's not brain surgery - but it is slightly more complicated than that. At least it is for me, at the moment. I was just curious about this ear annoyance since I've never had it before. I'm not the one who brought up all this medical bill talk, so don't lay in on me, brother!

Also - that ear cleaner stuff feels wacky.

ETA-

Just real quick, for the record - 75 bucks is also a ***** ton of money for some people.

Like me.

Just sayin'.

And that is why I like having cars I can work on myself!

 

[fuelair]

Ok, I've had a bit of a cold for the last few days, and last night my left ear started to get kinda sore. Today it doesn't hurt, but everything sounds metallic. At first I thought I was turning into a Cyborg, but then I realized it's probably just an ear infection or a head cold or something (or both, I don't friggin' know). I've never had one before. I can't go to the doctor. It's annoying. Also - it's almost impossible for me to search other websites right now on account of this dialup I'm on.

So...any advice on how to fix it? I'm told it won't go away unless I do something, but I dunno what. I've heard of those ear cleaning kits but I don't really know anything about them.

Thanks in advance. Ears are gross.

Doctor, prescription, most likely antibiotics. Otherwise, enjoy the major headache you are looking at in the really near future. Even with the antibs you are likely looking at 8 or 9 days of an interesting time

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Could Neandrathals see their doctor? What did THEY do? I know what *I* do: I slosh hot water into my ear, while showering or otherwise. Works everytime, over a period of time and repeat treatments in causing the wax to shift/comeout...to soften the pressure against the eardrum, and to hear right, once again.

Strangely enough, ear wax is water soluble.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

we're talking about a simple visit to a doctors office and probably a prescription for an antibiotic, not brain surgery here.

Cost you what 75 dollars,plus I bet if you talk to the doctors office they would be happy to set up a payment plan.

From the description, no prescription for antibiotics is indicated. All the practitioner would do would be to either reassure the patient it would go away without treatment, or write yet another unnecessary prescription for an antibiotic.

Here's my prescription based on the symptoms described. Fill in the blanks with the information in my last post.

 

[Dr. Imago]

I'm not so cavalier as skeptigirl. So, if you take her advice and not mine and something bad happens to you, sue her, not me, okay?

As for the medical billing stuff, I understand the problem full-well: people rely on their medical insurance, they feel entitled to always getting the best care, and they are often unwilling to take personal responsibility for the bill when it's sent, even the unpaid/uncovered portion of the bill. And, if they do have to pay "extra", they do it begrudgingly. I know firsthand. Remember, I'm not only a doctor, I'm also a patient myself. And, it's breathtaking how much I personally have to pay out of my salary each year to get the little coverage I actually use. Have you ever added that up? I'm sure, for many of you, that's more money over the past few years than you've spent on your family's healthcare needs than you probably realize.

As for the rising cost of medical care... that's a huge multi-headed hydra of a problem that we're not going to be able to address here. Suffice it to say that I'd like to see the U.S. system revert essentially back to a "catastrophic illness" coverage model, and for the rest everyone pays cash up front. This includes the emergency room, which is not required to provide you with definitive care if you're unwilling to pay (despite many misconceptions to the contrary).

It is amazing how people can find the money to remodel their bathroom, but when it comes to ponying-up the money for the doctor it suddenly isn't there. No one's going to re-tile the tub without at least a downpayment. Why should the medical care system be any different?

-Dr. Imago

 

[trvlr2]

Well, Gee Whizzikers,Dr. Imago. Do you mean to imply that the payments on my wannastuffs exceeds my desire to take care of my gottahaves?

Yes, there are folks who don't have a budget for medical bills;some have granite countertops& brand new cars.

Also some of us who do not have expensive toys and still hope we don't get sick.

Wheezebucket-you will know if it is really an infection-it will HURT beyond belief, if it is.
People do live thru earaches& head colds. Advice given has been good.
If you can't do it, warm olive oil in your outer ear canal may provide comfort-o.t.c. decongestant and aspirin might help,a lot, since you are reporting head cold symptoms& I doubt your pain is caused by earwax, but by sinus squeeze. Chicken soup if you want. Good luck.
Disclaimer: I am not a witch-doctor,I only play one on the internet. YMMV.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

I'm not so cavalier as skeptigirl. So, if you take her advice and not mine and something bad happens to you, sue her, not me, okay? .....

It is amazing how people can find the money to remodel their bathroom, but when it comes to ponying-up the money for the doctor it suddenly isn't there. No one's going to re-tile the tub without at least a downpayment. Why should the medical care system be any different?

-Dr. Imago

I, on the other hand, am not afraid to provide a little hallway medicine for such a basic question. Sometimes we get a bit carried away with concern for something unusual in a phone complaint.

I am, however, one of the strongest advocates that the phone triage line should be staffed with the most skilled provider, not the least skilled reading the "what to do" book.

And I agree some people meet your remodeling the bath description. My brother was one of them until he married someone with insurance through work. He could afford the 10K kidney stone lithotripsy he had to have but wasn't considering who would pay for the 100+K disaster should it have occurred.

But there are many many people who rent, who earn low wages and who have no benefits. I pay 800+ a month for medical insurance for myself and one child. And I have had the same insurer for >20 years and am relatively healthy. That truly isn't affordable for many people.

My brother and I are both self employed so we don't have insurance through employment. I don't think most people who don't have to think about medical insurance realize what it actually costs someone. I can afford it and think it unwise not to carry it. But I don't see how anyone making $10/hr give or take couple dollars can possibly afford it.

 

[rjh01]

It costs $45 for a 10 minute consultation in Australia. That is $US31. So come to Australia for medical treatment.

 

[Morrigan]

He could afford the 10K kidney stone lithotripsy he had to have but wasn't considering who would pay for the 100+K disaster should it have occurred.

100K...?

I pay 800+ a month for medical insurance for myself and one child.

Wha...? I pay that (CAD) as my rent! And I'm not poor or anything, but that's insanely expensive.

You know, we complain about waiting lines here in Québec, but it really isn't so bad after all...

 

[Oxymoron]

I register people in the ER for a living. Finances should be the last thing you should think about when it comes to your health. I'll be the first to say this, however, if your ear problem can wait until you can schedule an appointment with a clinic, or you can make it to a walk-in clinic, do so. As advised above, unless your symptoms become worse, see your PCP. A visit to the ER for something of this nature providing it isn't something more serious will run you about a thousand dollars as apposed to a clinic or your private doctor which would run on the outside 100 bucks. Your health is first, but if you don't feel it's an emergency don't go to the ER.

On the topic of healthcare Insurance: Why pay when there is Medicaid or state funded healthcare, I see it all the time. Everyone and their brother has M-caid and those who don't, well that's what my taxes are for, or at least it seems like it.

People get so mad sometimes because they have to wait hours in an ED. The only reason people wait ridiculous amounts of time, is because other people are set on using it as their private doctors office. NON EMERGENCIES. It's terrible, and when a real emergency comes in, those people are at more of a risk because the professionals are tied up with people that have menstrual cramps or gas. And yes, ear infections.

Not to mention those Cyborgs really have no manners.

Good luck, and I hope you feel better.

 

[TobiasTheViking]

what about some yeast infection while you are at it ?

 

[Oxymoron]

Sorry, I did go on a little rant, but seriously, you can't make this stuff up! Some of the things people come into the ED for is....is....well, they must be cyborgs.

 

[Cuddles]

It costs $45 for a 10 minute consultation in Australia. That is $US31. So come to Australia for medical treatment.

It's free in the UK.

On topic, ear infections are nothing to worry about. I had millions when I was little, often bursting my ear drum. It hurts for a few days and then you're fine in around a week. Take a paracetamol if you really want, but otherwise just ignore it and you'll be fine.

 

[Skibum]

On topic, ear infections are nothing to worry about. I had millions when I was little, often bursting my ear drum. It hurts for a few days and then you're fine in around a week. Take a paracetamol if you really want, but otherwise just ignore it and you'll be fine.

I agree, I had quite a few ear infections growing up as well, aside from moderate hearing loss everything turned out just fine.

 

[casebro]

Last spring I had an ear infection. It hurt sooo much I tried to out run it. Worse than sciatica. Kids with sore ears need narcotics.

Re: medical costs. I had an angiolplasty this summer. My inital bill was for $67,000. (time from procedure to release was 16 hours) Later bill showed an 'adjustment' for my HMO- 54,000, HMO payed 13k. Who gets stuck with a $67,000 bill? The guy who can't even afford insurance? So he goes bankrupt. What a system!

 

[MortFurd]

It's free in the UK.

On topic, ear infections are nothing to worry about. I had millions when I was little, often bursting my ear drum. It hurts for a few days and then you're fine in around a week. Take a paracetamol if you really want, but otherwise just ignore it and you'll be fine.

Seriously? You don't pay into the state mandated health insurance system?

I assure you, that visit is NOT free. Rest assured that your doc bills the insurance system.

Germany runs on pretty much the same type of system. I lay out 500EUR per month for (state mandated) health insurance for myself and my family. Trust me, you pay for that "free" visit to the doctor - not out of pocket when you walk through the door, but every month when the insurance is taken out of your paycheck.


The comments you've made also reflect on a system that attempts to provide "free" care for everyone. Why did you have such reoccuring ear infections? In a properly functioning health care system, the doctor should refer a patient with a reoccuring problem to a specialist to find the root of the problem and fix it. Doctors and hospitals (at least here in Germany) have a budget for treatment - and for prescribed medicine. Comes the end of the quarter and doc Schneider has written too many (costly) prescriptions, and you end up with a prescription for aspirin for your (hopefully) non-life threatening pains - and aspirin costs you 5 EUR out of pocket for 20 tablets, and the insurance pays on top of that.

This type of system encourages pharmacies and pharmaceuticals companies to squeeze all they can out of the insurance companies, who in turn squeeze it out of the insured - who must pay, they have no choice to not be insured.

The average patient has no idea what things cost. Not for medical care, and not for medicine. The fees and prices are set by committee, and the doctors, pharmacies, and the pharmaceuticals companies lobby the committe members to get what they want. Then the insurance companies have to pay it, and they have to cover their costs somehow. In the end, the patient pays through the nose.

Germans bitch because of the usual co-pay of 5EUR on medicine, but they have no idea what things really cost. As mentioned above, a pack of twenty aspirin will set you back 5EUR. Compare to $2.50 for 200 in an American pharmacy, then ask yourself what the situation looks like for more expensive medicine. I did, once, for an anti-depressant that I was prescribed. The doc prescribed them in packs of 30, and my co-pay was (of course) 5EUR. Since it was difficult for me to take time off every thirty days to sit for two hours in the doc's waiting room (and I REALLY needed to take that stuff,) I asked for a private (pay out of pocket) prescription that I could use in case I couldn't get back on time for the next appointment. I got it, and asked the pharmacist what it would cost - 80EUR for 10 tablets.

Top all this off with "doctors" who like homeopathy and bioresonance and want to prescribe St. John's wort for serious depression, and I really DON'T like the German medical system.

Honest folks, my cat gets better care at the (paid out of pocket) veterenarian than the average patient gets from a doctor here. The vet gives prompt, accurate diagnosis and makes targeted tests to determine causes and decide on a treatment. I had a recurring fever last year (~ 8 times during the year) where I would get a fever of ~2 degrees C and chills (freeze my ass off and chatter in a nice warm room.) Doctor's appointment? Next week or when the doc gets back from vacation. Tests? General blood test that showed nothing out of line. I still don't know what it was, it quit after a while, though I suppose it could come back.

No effin financial responsibility in the system, no way to get a clear view of the costs, crappy doctors, and high prices for OTC medicines. I keep several thousand in savings and my passport up to date in case I get seriously sick - I'm beating a path to a reliable US doctor for diagnosis and first care.


Effin pharmacists wonder that I get shirty when they try to include a "free" pack of cough drops or pocket pack of kleenex when I go to pick up my prescribed medicine. They'd make me a damned site happier if they'd put the real price on the bill (noted paid by insurance) and lower the damned prices on that and OTC stuff.


Sorry for the rant. Health insurance gets me riled up almost as bad as taxes.

 

[MortFurd]

My apologies to all of those whose health insurance has saved their lives or paid for badly needed treatment that would have bankrupted them.

I am not against insurance. I am just majorly cheesed off at every insurance scheme I've ever seen. The systems seem to work bassackwards and encourage financial irresponsibility as well as providing lower quality care.

Some kind of system is needed, but there's not a one out there that seems to really work for the patients.

 

[Wheezebucket]

"As for the medical billing stuff, I understand the problem full-well: people rely on their medical insurance, they feel entitled to always getting the best care, and they are often unwilling to take personal responsibility for the bill when it's sent, even the unpaid/uncovered portion of the bill. And, if they do have to pay "extra", they do it begrudgingly.

It is amazing how people can find the money to remodel their bathroom, but when it comes to ponying-up the money for the doctor it suddenly isn't there. No one's going to re-tile the tub without at least a downpayment. Why should the medical care system be any different?"

Uh, what? Ok, it doesn't actually sound like you do understand my problem.

I've never remodelled anything, ever. I've never owned something valuable enough that warranted a remodelling. Why are you assuming I'm out there whooping it up with all my free money, but I'm the Grinch of the medical world? In fact, the most money I've given to anybody for anything in the past three years has been related to my medical expenses.

Seriously, what world do some people live in, where all doctors everywhere are pounding at their door to help them, and sick people drive around in their golden rocket cars setting fire to their medical bills? Can I come sleep on some benches there? Or do poor people not exist in that region?

I had to pay for the ear cleaning thing with quarters and dimes. It was eight dollars. That doesn't bother me in the slightest, I'm just sayin' - some of us have a hard time paying our medical bills, especially the ones that came completely by surprise, one after the other.

Unless that wasn't directed at me. Then...nevermind.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Wheezeb didn't describe symptoms of an ear infection. He described symptoms of a mild upper respiratory infection, probably viral, with accompanying middle ear fluid.

No fever, no pain, not likely otitis media (OM is likely an infection). Serous otitis (just middle ear fluid like runny nose fluid) is not an infection per se.

I will say those of you which are just relating your personal experiences vs actual medical knowledge are not necessarily giving accurate advice here. The problem with that approach is your experience doesn't necessarily include other possibilities that present with similar symptoms.

 

[skeptifem]

what is wrong with ear candling exactly? Ive never heard of anything good or bad about it.