Tuesday, April 13, 2010

An Ear-ee Feeling

Today we took Zach to see the doctor to check for a possible ear infection. He's had two infections recently , and since he hasn't been himself lately, Mom wanted him checked out. Nope: ears were fine, so there are other mysterious causes behind the lack of sleep at that house.

Meanwhile, I have also enjoyed two ear infections in the past few months. When we were discussing making a appointment for Zach, I thought I detected a tiny ache in my ear. "Is it the power of suggestions or what," I wondered. It was hard to tell because I'm all lopsided in the head from the hearing aid in that ear (the left) being broken. This aidless ear tends to feel plugged up anyway when there's only amplification on the other (right) side. So, I took the hearing aid out of my right ear for awhile and tried to discern whether the left ear still felt plugged. I thought it did but not too badly. So, should I try to see the doctor too?

In the end, I opted to ask for an appointment. It was quite the scene in the doctor's small office: Cuppa, me, Nikki Dee, Zach, and the doctor, herself. The kids get revved up, and want to get into everything; meanwhile, one tries to have a semi intelligent discussion with the doctor. Cuppa swears that it's worse than trying to herd chickens. However, I really don't think it's any worse than trying to herd cats! However, we all persevered; the doctor was able to render her verdict, and we were just barely able to hear it over the distractive din and melee.

In the event, the boy was cleared, but I was diagnosed with an infection. In a way I am relieved because I was really wondering if I was being led by the power of suggestion. On the other hand, however, I'd just as soon not have to deal with this again and go through yet another round of antibiotics.

I don't know what's going on in me 'ead. Historically, I have not been prone to ear troubles. In fact, I can only recall two other episodes in my whole life, which is getting rather long, I hasten to add before you do. But as it stands I am rather flummoxed to be celebrating my third ear infection in five months, not much more than four months really.

For the good news, I must say that I am pretty happy with the level of medical care that we are receiving. When we moved to this area almost five years ago, we weren't sure of finding a doctor since there is a wee bit of a local shortage. However, we were lucky to get on Thesha's doctor's roster, and have found that we can often get in to see her on the same day as we call. I guess it helps that she frequently has student doctors working with her to bear some of the load, but I'm okay with that as the younguns tend to take their time and be as thorough as possible.

Bet really now: three ear infections in less than five months? Let's get serious here!

20 comments:

Bernie said...

I hear ya A/C, am fighting off some kind of infection myself and not feeling too great....I just need a few days and I will be okay.
.......:-) Hugs

Donna said...

Ok...Dr Donna says...The hearing aid in your L ear seems to be contributing to the increase in ear infections. IF you are experiencing more problems With that L ear, I'd look at the hearing air, itself.
Take the antibiotics and get that ear WELL! They give you those meds because of the proximity of earaches to the brain...tooo darn Close!
Then take the aid and clean it till it shines..This could be what the Cause is...Most aids do not allow air to get into the canal which causes a build-up of moisture, ie...infection.
That'll be $25.00 bucks...OR...More photos with your post...Hahahaa.....
hughugs

Anvilcloud said...

Do you have a Paypal account, Donna?

Diana said...

Hi AC,
I do hope that you EAR feeling better soon! LOL! Poor Zack, I hope he starts perking up soon as well!
Love Di ♥

Mara said...

I hope both you and Zack will feel better real soon.

Donna said...

Hahahaaaa....OH NO You Don't!! I'll take my pay in More of your wonderful photos!!

Anonymous said...

Wonder what is going on with Zack? Ear infections are terrible for sure. We used to have friends that the husband drank and sometimes would stumble a little and the wife would say "Well you know he has inner ear problems." She has always denying his drinking. It was so funny.
QMM

Kila said...

Hmm, is fluid plugging up your ears and causing infection? If so, it could be due to allergies. I know there's a bumper crop of pollen this year.

Doris said...

Well Anvilcloud, I hope you will be "right as rain" before too long and no longer under the weather! Notice my clever reference to rain, anvil cloud, weather ... :-)

Holly, the Old Western Gal said...

I agree, the hearing aid is making it too moist or something, I had this same problem when I had to wear earplugs for hours at a factory.

Anvilcloud said...

Doris: You are too clever by half.

Others: I will talk to the audiologist about the hearing aid causing the problem when I see her for my hearing test, which I had to postpone for the time being. It's just that I've been wearing them for years now, and this latest episode has occurred while I have left this broken one lying in its box and not my ear.

Anonymous said...

Ouch ! Those things hurt. I remember when I was little, my grandmother would blow smoke in my ear (no pun intended)...
Whether it REALLY helped or not, I thought it did, and that's all that matters.
And no, I don't think the smoke came out the other ear...

On another note, the contest at my place has been postponed...your entry has been duly noted.

Amanda said...

I'm glad the little one is ok ... And i hope you are feeling better soon too!

MARY G said...

Oh, misery! With Zack, could it be teething? I guess you can't blame your own ear problems on that, though.
I had a lot of trouble a few years ago and my doc put me on prophylactic ear drops - once a day at bedtime. Have had no trouble since.
(The clunk you can't hear is me knocking on my head.)

Lorna said...

Your comment board is as interesting as your post. I have no advice on EARS to offer you but you do seem to have a knack for writing.

Jinksy said...

I find sinus problems and ear infections go hand in hand - both perishing nuisances...

Ginnie said...

I agree with Lorna...you have a lot of suggestions to digest, er, I mean listen to !!
Hope you and Zack will be recovered soon.

KGMom said...

Oh my, little people and ear infections--a bad combo.
NOW, to big people and ear infections--so sorry for you. I would have thought you had outgrown that.

Ears can cause amazing pain--since we just flew home, I discovered how much ears hurt when planes depressurize!

Anonymous said...

Three ear infections in that short time does seem like a lot. Unless of course you have hairy floppy ears like my Coco. Ear infections are a constant in his world .. sigh. We have been battling one for over six weeks now. The vet is wondering if he may have allergies. Have to wonder... would allergies have a similar effect on us humans?

Pearl said...

that's quite the rate.

does ear candling do anything at all but relax a person?