Advice for a Newby with an Ear Infection

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm not sure if I joined the right group as I haven't been diagnosed

with a cholesteatoma. I'm just looking for some advice on my ear

problem. I didn't see another group that sounded right, so I thought

I'd try here.

I've never had any ear problems before, but I've had fluid buildup in

my right ear. I also have tinnitus. It's been going on for about 7

weeks now, and has been treated unsuccessfully with antibiotics, nasal

sprays and a steroid (prednisone). I was finally referred to a ENT one

week ago. He did his exam, inserted a flexible scope up my nose, etc.

He didn't see anything wrong, but said he could suck the fluid out by

making a small hole in my ear drum, and possibly inserting a small

tube to allow it to drain.

Has anyone had this done before? What are the risks? I didn't think to

ask him these questions, or how often he has done this before. The

other thing that bothers me is we still have no idea of the cause. I

was thinking before I saw the ENT that getting a CT scan might be a

good idea. I searched the msgs here and see that others have had CT

scans. Should I push for a CT scan?

My insurance is a HMO, so getting it approved might be a problem. But,

not knowing what's going on bothers me... what if there is something

going on that remains undiagnosed until it is too late? I'm not a

hypochondriac but I've had enough health problems to know that

sometimes you really have to push the medical establishment to get the

medical attention you need.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

Ray

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray,

my daughters ctoma started out with what we thought was an ear infection. She

was on 5 or 6 different antibiotics, I can't remember, I've lost count. She

went to the ENT, he thought it could be the ctoma or fluid build up but couldn't

be sure (because of the hx of infections) until surgery. So she had exploratory

surgery and that is when he found the ctoma. We went to a specialist and he

removed it. She had chronic infections and tinnitus, looking back, that's what

it was. My thought is, and others may vary, is that if your doctor gets in

there and sucks out the gunk he may be getting more than what he asks for. I

would definitely push for a CT Scan, in this case it can and should be

considered medically necessary for the condition to help dx what is going on in

your case. If your doctor won't do it, then I'd look for a second opinion.

Pamela Waling " smile, it confuses people... "

> From: raywshoe <raywshoe@...>

> Subject: Advice for a Newby with an Ear Infection

> cholesteatoma

> Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 12:59 PM

> Hi,

>

> I'm not sure if I joined the right group as I

> haven't been diagnosed

> with a cholesteatoma. I'm just looking for some advice

> on my ear

> problem. I didn't see another group that sounded right,

> so I thought

> I'd try here.

>

> I've never had any ear problems before, but I've

> had fluid buildup in

> my right ear. I also have tinnitus. It's been going on

> for about 7

> weeks now, and has been treated unsuccessfully with

> antibiotics, nasal

> sprays and a steroid (prednisone). I was finally referred

> to a ENT one

> week ago. He did his exam, inserted a flexible scope up my

> nose, etc.

> He didn't see anything wrong, but said he could suck

> the fluid out by

> making a small hole in my ear drum, and possibly inserting

> a small

> tube to allow it to drain.

>

> Has anyone had this done before? What are the risks? I

> didn't think to

> ask him these questions, or how often he has done this

> before. The

> other thing that bothers me is we still have no idea of the

> cause. I

> was thinking before I saw the ENT that getting a CT scan

> might be a

> good idea. I searched the msgs here and see that others

> have had CT

> scans. Should I push for a CT scan?

>

> My insurance is a HMO, so getting it approved might be a

> problem. But,

> not knowing what's going on bothers me... what if there

> is something

> going on that remains undiagnosed until it is too late?

> I'm not a

> hypochondriac but I've had enough health problems to

> know that

> sometimes you really have to push the medical establishment

> to get the

> medical attention you need.

>

> Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

>

> Ray

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray,

For what it’s worth here’s my info, I

have had a CT scan and the radiologist report thought c’toma.

My ENT referred me to a partner who is an otolaryngologist and a Neurotologist

, Dr Chang. He is the director of the Texas Ear Center and he

thinks what I have may be fluid, and not a c’toma. He won’t

know until he gets in there on Wed. 12/3. So that being said the

CT is a valuable tool but it may not be the definitive answer that you

are looking for. Did your doctor do a culture of your fluid??

After 2 rounds of levaquin and a round of heavy duty augmentin my

ENT did one and found my infection was a kind of staph infection and then

prescribed bactrim, which seemed to do the trick. I’ll

keep you posted to let you know if it was just fluid or a c’toma.

Good Luck,

Donah K

rom:

cholesteatoma [mailto:cholesteatoma ] On Behalf

Of raywshoe

Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 12:59 PMTo:

cholesteatoma

Subject: Advice for a Newby with an Ear Infection

Hi,

I'm not sure if I joined the right group as I haven't been diagnosed

with a cholesteatoma. I'm just looking for some advice on my ear

problem. I didn't see another group that sounded right, so I thought

I'd try here.

I've never had any ear problems before, but I've had fluid buildup in

my right ear. I also have tinnitus. It's been going on for about 7

weeks now, and has been treated unsuccessfully with antibiotics, nasal

sprays and a steroid (prednisone). I was finally referred to a ENT one

week ago. He did his exam, inserted a flexible scope up my nose, etc.

He didn't see anything wrong, but said he could suck the fluid out by

making a small hole in my ear drum, and possibly inserting a small

tube to allow it to drain.

Has anyone had this done before? What are the risks? I didn't think to

ask him these questions, or how often he has done this before. The

other thing that bothers me is we still have no idea of the cause. I

was thinking before I saw the ENT that getting a CT scan might be a

good idea. I searched the msgs here and see that others have had CT

scans. Should I push for a CT scan?

My insurance is a HMO, so getting it approved might be a problem. But,

not knowing what's going on bothers me... what if there is something

going on that remains undiagnosed until it is too late? I'm not a

hypochondriac but I've had enough health problems to know that

sometimes you really have to push the medical establishment to get the

medical attention you need.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

Ray

[Guest guest]

Donak,

I am curious as to your results? Did your CT scan reveal a cholesteatoma?

From: Benny Klingsporn <BKLINGSPORN@...>cholesteatoma Sent: Monday, December 1, 2008 8:15:54 PMSubject: RE: Advice for a Newby with an Ear Infection

Hi Ray,

For what it¢s worth here¢s my info, I have had a CT scan and the radiologist report thought c¢toma. My ENT referred me to a partner who is an otolaryngologist and a Neurotologist , Dr Chang. He is the director of the Texas Ear Center and he thinks what I have may be fluid, and not a c¢toma. He won¢t know until he gets in there on Wed. 12/3. So that being said the CT is a valuable tool but it may not be the definitive answer that you are looking for. Did your doctor do a culture of your fluid?? After 2 rounds of levaquin and a round of heavy duty augmentin my ENT did one and found my infection was a kind of staph infection and then prescribed bactrim, which seemed to do the trick. I¢ll keep you posted to let you know if it was just

fluid or a c¢toma.

Good Luck,

Donah K

rom: cholesteatoma [mailto:cholesteato magroups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of raywshoeSent: Monday, December 01, 2008 12:59 PMcholesteatomaSubject: Advice for a Newby with an Ear Infection

Hi,I'm not sure if I joined the right group as I haven't been diagnosedwith a cholesteatoma. I'm just looking for some advice on my earproblem. I didn't see another group that sounded right, so I thoughtI'd try here.I've never had any ear problems before, but I've had fluid buildup inmy right ear. I also have tinnitus. It's been going on for about 7weeks now, and has been treated unsuccessfully with antibiotics, nasalsprays and a steroid (prednisone) . I was finally referred to a ENT oneweek ago. He did his exam, inserted a flexible scope up my nose, etc.He didn't see anything wrong, but said he could suck the fluid out bymaking a small hole in my ear drum, and possibly inserting a smalltube to allow it to drain.Has anyone had this done before? What are the risks? I didn't think toask him these questions, or how often he has done this before. Theother thing that bothers me is we

still have no idea of the cause. Iwas thinking before I saw the ENT that getting a CT scan might be agood idea. I searched the msgs here and see that others have had CTscans. Should I push for a CT scan? My insurance is a HMO, so getting it approved might be a problem. But,not knowing what's going on bothers me... what if there is somethinggoing on that remains undiagnosed until it is too late? I'm not ahypochondriac but I've had enough health problems to know thatsometimes you really have to push the medical establishment to get themedical attention you need.Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.Ray

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

I know she went in to have her surgery on Wednesday. She said she probably

wouldn't be back on for a couple days, but what she told me was that Dr. Chang

wasn't 100% sure if it was a ctoma or just fluid, so he was going to go in

through the ear canal and explore (basically) and then if it was, then do the

whole procedure. I think her scan was a little " iffy " , you know.

Pamela Waling " smile, it confuses people... "

> From: Captain Definder <captaindefinder@...>

> Subject: Re: Advice for a Newby with an Ear Infection

> cholesteatoma

> Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 8:10 PM

> Donak,

>

> I am curious as to your results?  Did your CT scan reveal

> a cholesteatoma? 

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: Benny Klingsporn <BKLINGSPORN@...>

> cholesteatoma

> Sent: Monday, December 1, 2008 8:15:54 PM

> Subject: RE: Advice for a Newby with an Ear

> Infection

>

>

> Hi Ray,

> For what it’s worth here’s my info,  I have  had a CT

> scan and the radiologist report thought c’toma.  My ENT

> referred me to a partner who is an otolaryngologist and  a

>  Neurotologist , Dr Chang.  He is  the director of the

> Texas Ear Center and  he thinks what I have may be fluid,

> and not a c’toma.  He won’t know until he gets in there

> on Wed.   12/3.  So that being said  the CT is a

> valuable tool  but it may not be the definitive answer that

> you are looking for.   Did your doctor do a culture of

> your fluid??  After 2 rounds of levaquin  and  a round of

> heavy duty augmentin my ENT did one and found my infection

> was a kind of staph infection and then prescribed bactrim,

>   which seemed to do the  trick.    I’ll keep you

> posted to let you know if it was just fluid or a c’toma. 

>  

> Good Luck,

> Donah K

>  rom:cholesteatoma [mailto:cholesteato

> magroups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of raywshoe

> Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 12:59 PMcholesteatoma@

> groups. com

> Subject: Advice for a Newby with an Ear

> Infection

>  

> Hi,

>

> I'm not sure if I joined the right group as I

> haven't been diagnosed

> with a cholesteatoma. I'm just looking for some advice

> on my ear

> problem. I didn't see another group that sounded right,

> so I thought

> I'd try here.

>

> I've never had any ear problems before, but I've

> had fluid buildup in

> my right ear. I also have tinnitus. It's been going on

> for about 7

> weeks now, and has been treated unsuccessfully with

> antibiotics, nasal

> sprays and a steroid (prednisone) . I was finally referred

> to a ENT one

> week ago. He did his exam, inserted a flexible scope up my

> nose, etc.

> He didn't see anything wrong, but said he could suck

> the fluid out by

> making a small hole in my ear drum, and possibly inserting

> a small

> tube to allow it to drain.

>

> Has anyone had this done before? What are the risks? I

> didn't think to

> ask him these questions, or how often he has done this

> before. The

> other thing that bothers me is we still have no idea of the

> cause. I

> was thinking before I saw the ENT that getting a CT scan

> might be a

> good idea. I searched the msgs here and see that others

> have had CT

> scans. Should I push for a CT scan?

>

> My insurance is a HMO, so getting it approved might be a

> problem. But,

> not knowing what's going on bothers me... what if there

> is something

> going on that remains undiagnosed until it is too late?

> I'm not a

> hypochondriac but I've had enough health problems to

> know that

> sometimes you really have to push the medical establishment

> to get the

> medical attention you need.

>

> Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

>

> Ray

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I had my procedure  yesterday.  Dr Chang was right and it was

fluid that I had.  He repaired my perforation through the ear canal.  So the

radiologist report  from my ct scan that indicated a c’toma was wrong.  I was

very lucky.  Dr Chang is great.  I have very pain and very little drainage.   He

said there was a lot of scarring from past infections but no growths.  I go

back for my post op on the 23rd and will explore hearing aids at

that time as he thought that repairing the eardrum wouldn’t improve my hearing

that much.  So now what hearing aids are recommended???

Donah

From:

cholesteatoma [mailto:cholesteatoma ] On

Behalf Of Pam Bankston

Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 8:16 PM

cholesteatoma

Subject: Re: Advice for a Newby with an Ear Infection

Hey ,

I know she went in to have her surgery on Wednesday. She said she probably

wouldn't be back on for a couple days, but what she told me was that Dr. Chang

wasn't 100% sure if it was a ctoma or just fluid, so he was going to go in

through the ear canal and explore (basically) and then if it was, then do the

whole procedure. I think her scan was a little " iffy " , you know.

Pamela Waling " smile, it confuses people... "

> From: Captain Definder <captaindefinder@...>

> Subject: Re: Advice for a Newby with an Ear Infection

> cholesteatoma

> Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 8:10 PM

> Donak,

>

> I am curious as to your results? Did your CT scan reveal

> a cholesteatoma?

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: Benny Klingsporn <BKLINGSPORN@...>

> cholesteatoma

> Sent: Monday, December 1, 2008 8:15:54 PM

> Subject: RE: Advice for a Newby with an Ear

> Infection

>

>

> Hi Ray,

> For what it’s worth here’s my info, I have had a CT

> scan and the radiologist report thought c’toma. My ENT

> referred me to a partner who is an otolaryngologist and a

> Neurotologist , Dr Chang. He is the director of the

> Texas Ear Center and he thinks what I have may be fluid,

> and not a c’toma. He won’t know until he gets in there

> on Wed. 12/3. So that being said the CT is a

> valuable tool but it may not be the definitive answer that

> you are looking for. Did your doctor do a culture of

> your fluid?? After 2 rounds of levaquin and a round of

> heavy duty augmentin my ENT did one and found my infection

> was a kind of staph infection and then prescribed bactrim,

> which seemed to do the trick. I’ll

keep you

> posted to let you know if it was just fluid or a c’toma.

>

> Good Luck,

> Donah K

> rom:cholesteatoma [mailto:cholesteato

> magroups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of raywshoe

> Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 12:59 PMcholesteatoma@

> groups. com

> Subject: Advice for a Newby with an Ear

> Infection

>

> Hi,

>

> I'm not sure if I joined the right group as I

> haven't been diagnosed

> with a cholesteatoma. I'm just looking for some advice

> on my ear

> problem. I didn't see another group that sounded right,

> so I thought

> I'd try here.

>

> I've never had any ear problems before, but I've

> had fluid buildup in

> my right ear. I also have tinnitus. It's been going on

> for about 7

> weeks now, and has been treated unsuccessfully with

> antibiotics, nasal

> sprays and a steroid (prednisone) . I was finally referred

> to a ENT one

> week ago. He did his exam, inserted a flexible scope up my

> nose, etc.

> He didn't see anything wrong, but said he could suck

> the fluid out by

> making a small hole in my ear drum, and possibly inserting

> a small

> tube to allow it to drain.

>

> Has anyone had this done before? What are the risks? I

> didn't think to

> ask him these questions, or how often he has done this

> before. The

> other thing that bothers me is we still have no idea of the

> cause. I

> was thinking before I saw the ENT that getting a CT scan

> might be a

> good idea. I searched the msgs here and see that others

> have had CT

> scans. Should I push for a CT scan?

>

> My insurance is a HMO, so getting it approved might be a

> problem. But,

> not knowing what's going on bothers me... what if there

> is something

> going on that remains undiagnosed until it is too late?

> I'm not a

> hypochondriac but I've had enough health problems to

> know that

> sometimes you really have to push the medical establishment

> to get the

> medical attention you need.

>

> Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

>

> Ray

[Guest guest]

Well, Donah I am glad for your case that there was no ctoma. That is good news.

But sorry that there was nothing that could be done for the hearing. As far as

hearing aids go, I have no clue! I am sure someone else on here can give you

better advice on that!

I'm glad you are feeling better, hope it continues to improve each day. Hope to

hear from you soon.

Take care,

Pam

Pamela Waling " smile, it confuses people... "

>

> > From: Captain Definder <captaindefinder@...

> <mailto:captaindefinder%40> >

> > Subject: Re: Advice for a Newby with

> an Ear Infection

> > cholesteatoma

> <mailto:cholesteatoma%40>

> > Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 8:10 PM

> > Donak,

> >

> > I am curious as to your results? Did your CT scan

> reveal

> > a cholesteatoma?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: Benny Klingsporn <BKLINGSPORN@...

> <mailto:BKLINGSPORN%40COMCAST.NET> >

> > cholesteatoma

> <mailto:cholesteatoma%40>

> > Sent: Monday, December 1, 2008 8:15:54 PM

> > Subject: RE: Advice for a Newby with

> an Ear

> > Infection

> >

> >

> > Hi Ray,

> > For what it’s worth here’s my info, I have had a

> CT

> > scan and the radiologist report thought c’toma. My

> ENT

> > referred me to a partner who is an otolaryngologist

> and a

> > Neurotologist , Dr Chang. He is the director of the

> > Texas Ear Center and he thinks what I have may be

> fluid,

> > and not a c’toma. He won’t know until he gets in

> there

> > on Wed. 12/3. So that being said the CT is a

> > valuable tool but it may not be the definitive answer

> that

> > you are looking for. Did your doctor do a culture of

> > your fluid?? After 2 rounds of levaquin and a round

> of

> > heavy duty augmentin my ENT did one and found my

> infection

> > was a kind of staph infection and then prescribed

> bactrim,

> > which seemed to do the trick. I’ll keep you

> > posted to let you know if it was just fluid or a

> c’toma.

> >

> > Good Luck,

> > Donah K

> > rom:cholesteatoma

> [mailto:cholesteato

> > magroups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of raywshoe

> > Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 12:59 PMTo:

> cholesteatoma@

> > groups. com

> > Subject: Advice for a Newby with an

> Ear

> > Infection

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > I'm not sure if I joined the right group as I

> > haven't been diagnosed

> > with a cholesteatoma. I'm just looking for some

> advice

> > on my ear

> > problem. I didn't see another group that sounded

> right,

> > so I thought

> > I'd try here.

> >

> > I've never had any ear problems before, but

> I've

> > had fluid buildup in

> > my right ear. I also have tinnitus. It's been

> going on

> > for about 7

> > weeks now, and has been treated unsuccessfully with

> > antibiotics, nasal

> > sprays and a steroid (prednisone) . I was finally

> referred

> > to a ENT one

> > week ago. He did his exam, inserted a flexible scope

> up my

> > nose, etc.

> > He didn't see anything wrong, but said he could

> suck

> > the fluid out by

> > making a small hole in my ear drum, and possibly

> inserting

> > a small

> > tube to allow it to drain.

> >

> > Has anyone had this done before? What are the risks? I

> > didn't think to

> > ask him these questions, or how often he has done this

> > before. The

> > other thing that bothers me is we still have no idea

> of the

> > cause. I

> > was thinking before I saw the ENT that getting a CT

> scan

> > might be a

> > good idea. I searched the msgs here and see that

> others

> > have had CT

> > scans. Should I push for a CT scan?

> >

> > My insurance is a HMO, so getting it approved might be

> a

> > problem. But,

> > not knowing what's going on bothers me... what if

> there

> > is something

> > going on that remains undiagnosed until it is too

> late?

> > I'm not a

> > hypochondriac but I've had enough health problems

> to

> > know that

> > sometimes you really have to push the medical

> establishment

> > to get the

> > medical attention you need.

> >

> > Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

> >

> > Ray