Today I woke up with trepidation, fearing the worst. I did lay on my right side all night, hoping that would "cure" the problem. Apparently it did because I didn't wake up with the extreme dizziness that I had on Thursday and yesterday.
I think what is causing this inner ear infection is my respiratory problem that I've been having the past year. Mucous builds up in my throat. I clear (cough) it out during the day. Yes, I'm now one of those annoying people who is always coughing. Don't take me to any concerts.
When I got up this morning I was still a little light headed but not that extreme dizziness that I had experienced previously, thank goodness.
I'm continuing to take my DM over the counter pills which breaks up the mucous. I've been coughing it up all day, unlike a few days ago when I coughed up nothing.
I plan to go to work tomorrow. I work the afternoon shift (3 pm to 11 pm). I miss work, it is part of my regular routine. And at this time of my life I like a regular routine.
I do plan to call my ENT doctor, who I have yet to see the first time (my appointment is scheduled for the 22nd of this month) and see if I can get an earlier appointment.
This inner ear infection where I lose my balance is one of the scariest things I have ever experienced in my life. We take so much for granted with our health. I can't imagine living like this permanently. At least I can get some relief by lying perfectly still on my bed. Unlike when I was passing a kidney stone, where there was nowhere to seek relief and the pain only got worse.
Bette Davis was right when she said:
"Old age is no place for sissies"
Tell me about it.
Thank you all who commented and gave me advice. However, I am declining to go to the emergency room. I don't know what they could do for me other than observe me and wait for my spell to pass. I will see my ENT for her advice.
10 comments:
This is definitely good news, Ron. The dizziness from inner ear infections can be terrifying.
You don't happen to wear ear plugs, do you? I used to wear them when I lived in Texas because of the noisy neighborhood. I discovered that excessive use of ear plugs can cause inner ear infections. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it. Take care!
I'm so glad you're feeling better. I'm also happy that you don't have to go to the emergency room, I hate those places!
Hey Ron - super glad to hear the dizziness has subsided - or at least lessened to a good degree. And I hope you can get an earlier appointment. Sometimes when we thing we are overcoming something we change our minds and just go on as if nothing happened. But no harm in getting checked out earlier since you already intend to see this doctor. I admit pain causes me to crawl into a corner and moan to myself. But nausea and dizziness has to be one of the worst predicaments. No relief. Especially if feeling dizzy while laying still. Hope this gets resolved this week.
Pat
Your Eustachian tubes are not draining. You don't have to have the DM Just take the one ingredient Mucinex. The cheapest place to get it Walmart in a little generic $0.88 bottle. Drink hot chicken broth. Campbell's is best tasting to me. Hold your nose and swallow. These things help me when I get dizzy. A year is a long time to ignore a respiratory problem. I know mine is allergies, but still. I coughed for six months after a sickness and finally the doctor x-rayed my chest. Acid reflux can also affect ears and Eustachian tubes. Ask me how I know.
Mucinex DM is the best in thinning the congestion. It's a 12 hour tablet and take it with lots of water.
That should help the coughing!
Jon,
Not too bad this morning when I got up. I plan to go to work today. My appointment is next week on Wednesday. No, I don't use earplugs. I probably need ear wax cleaned out of my ears though.
Ron
Deedles,
Definitely feeling better but not out of the woods yet. I hold off going to the emergency room unless it's really an emergency. I just didn't see what they could do for me with the dizziness that I couldn't do myself by lying down and waiting for it to go away. My appointment with my ENT doctor is next Wednesday. Hopefully I can hold off until then.
Ron
Pat,
You're right, the nausea is an awful problem. The dizziness was downright scary. I just could not walk at all. Had to lie down. I did get some relief from the nausea when I lied down too. It was still there but I managed. At least it wasn't like when I was passing a kidney stone, which is the worst.
Ron
Linda,
I think you're right, my Eustachian tubes are not draining. I'm going to go in armed with all this good information when I see my ENT doctor next week. I also have allergies. Had them all my life. Didn't realize I had them until about ten years ago. A year is a long time to ignore my respiratory problem. I was hoping it would resolve itself but it's not, it is just getting worse. Time to take action. Thanks for your help Linda.
Ron
Rgutro,
I found the Walgreen's brand of DM helps just as well as the much more expensive Mucinex. I can get a bottle of the generic brand for $9.99. The Mucinex costs about $27, three times as much! My appointment with my ENT doctor is next Wednesday. It's going to be interesting to see what she suggests.
Ron
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