Just thought I’d give an update on my ears, in case any poor soul who googles “perforated tympanic membrane” or “i broke my eardrum- help!” comes across my page, looking for info on how long it takes before feeling better.*
After blowing my nose on Thursday, February 7, my left ear felt like someone had shoved a pillow in it. It felt more serious than any other ear pain I’ve had, but I did not expect to wake up around midnight with horrible excruciating pain. It was so bad, that I called the doctor’s office, but was told my only option was to either page the doctor, or drive to the emergency room. I suffered through the night– 2 ibuprofen only helped for about 20 minutes, and soon blood started running out my ear. Around 6:30 AM, I gave in and paged the doctor, who arranged to see me at 9 AM. She confirmed that I broke the eardrum, and I started anti-biotics and super high doses of ibuprofen (declined the narcotics), which helped keep the pain away. However, my right ear decided to join the party, and started dripping fluid too (but never blood).
By Saturday evening (about 48 hours since I damaged the eardrum), the pain was under control, but the severe hearing loss was quite shocking. I was convinced it would never get any better. I walked around for the next week in a fog– my head was so congested. The following Saturday, I was sure it was getting worse. And then, my right ear started popping. And popping. After a few days of this popping, my hearing in my right ear cleared up considerably.
Now it is two and a half weeks later, and my left ear is getting much better. The hole has healed, and the congestion is better, so I am just experiencing tinnitus and decreased hearing. Sometimes I feel some pain, but not too often.
Anyway, just thought I’d put this out there for anyone suffering through this. My fingers are crossed that in another week or two, as the lingering congestion clears up, my left ear will be close to normal.
Part 1 is here.
*When I googled it, most broken eardrums seem to happen from accidents– scuba diving, water-skiing, etc. I think having the flu/ear infection is what kept me in such a fog for 2 weeks.
