[fenrickm]

I've had a sinus infection for about 5 days now and yesterday out of the blue my ear got all muffled and wouldn't pop, I've been goggling different remedies and Ive been on antibiotics for 5 days, my doctor said the ear pain and lac of popping would go away but it hasn't, I've tried decongestants, tried forcing my ears to pop tried the blow drier thing, nothings working and my ears ringing and can't get it to pop. What can I do to get relief?

[teacherjenn4]

Call your doctor tomorrow and let him/her know about the problem. Internet "remedies" can cause serious damage to your hearing. Is it really worth it? Ask your doctor what he/she recommends.

[joypulv]

ANTIBIOTICS after 5 days of sinus congestion? What an absolute fool your doctor is. You have a virus until proven it's bacterial, and all you are doing is making yourself resistant to antibiotics when you really need them, as well as helping create the need for newer and newer drugs, which someday won't work any more.
As for making your ears pop! NO!!!! I won't go into all the reasons why not.

You need lots of weak warm fluids, warmth, moist heat (not hair dryers), rest, and keeping your head elevated while you WAIT for the VIRUS to run it's course.
If it doesn't, after several weeks, then you take antibiotics, on the grounds that bacteria moved in before the virus left.

Don't go out. Wear a scarf, earmuffs, warm socks and slippers, vest, keep warm all over. Broth, chicken soup. Menthol cough drops.

[J_9]

Sinus and ear infections are typically bacteria related and require antibiotics. Phone your doctor tomorrow and ask if he will give you a "sinus cocktail" shot. That works well with the antibiotics to reduce the swelling and inflammation so that you can hear again. Please don't try to "pop" your ears again, you will only cause damage that may or may not be permanent.

[joypulv]

Even all the conservative online sites, from the CDC to WebMD, say most sinus infections are viral, not bacterial.

[J_9]

However, this one is apparently not. The OP went to the doctor and was prescribed abx. I believe the doctors diagnosis over a layman doing internet research.

[J_9]

Us medical professionals, nurses and doctors alike, cringe when someone coms in the hospital saying... "Well, I was looking online and it seem like...."

It's great to do your research after the official diagnosis, and we encourage that. However, the OP went to the doctor and based on signs, symptoms, and examination, determined this person to have a bacterial infection.

I highly suggest a sinus cocktail to go along with the abx. My family is just finishing going through the same thing. I'm the last of the four of us to have it.

[joypulv]

I wasn't researching a diagnosis. I was quoting mainstream journals and media and thousands of doctors who bemoan the overuse of antibiotics and the dangers of doing so. Even the CDC claims that most sinus infections are not bacterial. I'll bet dollars to donuts that this doctor didn't perform any lab tests. FIVE DAYS!!!

[J_9]

Yes, Joy, but you don't know this person's medical history. I agree with you on every other point in your post, however there is a bacterial infection rampant right now. You don't necessarily need lab tests to diagnose it. Much can go from the medical history of the patient along with the signs and symptoms of the illness.

Typically the virus can turn into bacterial after several weeks of illness, but such is not always the case.

The he medical history is very telling. Since we don't know that we can't jump to conclusions.

My husband and son went through this with nothing more than OTC cold meds. My daughter and I, though, are on abx because of our history.