Fluid in Ear?

[user007]

So for about 4 months I've felt like my right ear has fluid in it. Some days I don't notice it, but other days it just feels wet inside.

I usually run a QTip through my ears regularly and that ear might have just a tiny bit more wax buildup. I never feel it draining. No dizziness or pain. It just kind of feels full.

I had an ear infection in that same ear in the fall and Dr. Google has me a little worried. Some sites make it sound like fluid and ear infections in adults are rare and if you have multiple cases it could be something bad.

I'm hoping it's some sort of allergy thing, but they've never caused me ear problems before.

[FatThumbelina]

Has your doctor ordered an audiogram?

I had a nasty ear infection in November last year and was absolutely convinced I had fluid in my ear and nasopharyngeal cancer, of course. I worried myself sick. Finally, I saw a doctor mid-December and I was diagnosed with acute otitis media. Got antibiotics and corticosteroids and as a result I eventually got better.

The symptoms were very persistent, however, and did not go away immediately. It was a slow and gradual process. I was extremely worried, but my doctor checked my ear and it was perfectly fine, the antibiotics had worked and the infection was gone. Also the audiogram showed no signs of fluid in my ear. I don't have to mention that cancer was not even remotely considered by my doctor. My ear still feels weird sometimes (clicking, mild headaches) and it has been more than 4 months.
If it's possible get it checked and don't diagnose yourself. I was totally convinced I had fluid in my ear and there was no fuid at all. I know which sites you're talking about because I kept reading them too. It didn't do me any good. Just running in circles and worrying in vain. Even if you do have fluid in your ear it may be just that - fluid in your ear and nothing else.

[user007]

Well, I went to my GP who said I did have fluid filling one ear and the other ear was partially filled as well. Told me to try antibiotics, but will also refer me to an ENT and I might need tubes to drain.

I go to my GP for a lot of worries and he almost never sends me to a specialist which has me worried. I read ear cancers usually have bleeding and only fluid in one ear. I feel a little better that I have no bleeding and issues with both is good, I guess, but then I think spread.

I just know I'm going to be a nervous wreck until that appt which may be a long ways off unless the antibiotics work....

[FatThumbelina]

Your GP sent you to a specialist, because you might need tubes to drain the fluid. GPs don't do that, you need an ENT doctor to perform the procedure if the antibiotics don't work. They might work.

Also:

"Cancer of the ear is a rare cancer. Most of these cancers start in the skin of the outer ear. Between 5 and 10 out of 100 skin cancers (5 - 10%) develop on the ear.

Those that develop inside the ear are very rare. Less than 1 in every million people in the UK will develop cancer in the middle ear each year."

Not to mention you had an infection and you have (or had) fluid in both ears which suggests that cancer is even less probable.

[user007]

Hello Everyone,

I've had a very bad few months with HA. I've posted about my ear problem before, but it seems not many have ear issues. Not much in old searches, either.

Basically, for four months my right ear felt full and wouldn't pop. GP said it had fluid and a little in left ear, too. He started me on a steroid spray and sent me to ENT. 1.5 weeks later at the ENT, they couldn't find any fluid in my ears. They also did some sort of pressure test and a hearing test. Said everything seemed symmetrical, but audiologist said it seemed like I had a eustachian tube issue. The ENT said on paper my results were perfect for my age and thought I was having an ear migraine...which apparently is a new medical diagnosis and there is little online info.

So, let's break this down. Fluid in ear cleared up after an antibiotic (I doubt that did anything. GP seemed doubtful it would) and from steroid spray (maybe that helped? my allergies have been way worse than usual this year). Test results all normal and symmetrical which is great. All positive.

But, one major issue in all this is I cannot blow pressure back to my right ear during this time. If I pinch my nose, I can only pop my left ear. So, if my ear could drain the fluid, that should mean I don't have a blockage...but if I can't force air through it...that makes we worry of a blockage. And the migraine medicine didn't do anything.

I also read about a woman younger than me that had ear problems for 6 months that seemed benign but they found she had a tumor causing her ear problems which has me paranoid.

I want to believe my problem is allergy and somehow stress related, but there is little mention anywhere of ear issues from stress so I don't know what to think.

[venusbluejeans]

This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your thread was merged with another of your threads.

Please when posting on similar topics add it onto your previous post rather than starting a new one.

It is nothing personal it is just to make it easier for people to follow your story and to give you advice as a whole.

Emmz