Ear problem

[SurinPete]

Hello.  Seems like a trivial thing to post about but I have an ear problem which the doctors seem unable to help with competently.  It started two weeks back with a random sudden onset of a blocked left ear, very itchy and tinnitus.  No discharge.  After a few days I went to the doctor at private hospital, he took a quick look and used a suction tool to remove ear wax which he said was impacted on the eardrum.  He also used a syringe to blast the ear out with saline.  He did all this while speaking to someone loudly on his phone on loudspeaker, it sounded like an informal friendly chat and he didn't seem very focused on the job at hand.  Anyway, It made no difference and when I told him so, he suggested to give it around 24 hours and if no better, come back.  1800 baht cost.  I waited a few days and went back told him it was still itchy and blocked.  He took a look and said there was still some 'liquid wax' blocking the ear drum and ran the same 3 minute procedure of suction and syringe.  I told him after the procedure that it was still blocked, itchy and ringing and he gave me some steroid ear drops, telling me to use them daily for a week.  Cost 2300 baht.  

 

After a week it was no better even with the drops, and with little faith in this doctor I tried a small private ENT clinic.  The doctor there seemed to give me a real wide berth, telling me to sit on a chair a few meters from him and not bothering to look in my ear.  He told me I had an ear infection and tried to prescribe antibiotics.  I suggested he should actually look in my ear and he said "it's ok, I dont need to, I know what it is".  My guess is he was worried about my being a westerner and covid?  I hinted at this and assured him I hadn't left the province for a whole year and there was no need to worry but he insisted it wasnt that and he just didn't need to look in my ear.  I got the impression he couldn't get me out of the there quick enough.  I politely told him in a friendly way that if he couldn't be bothered to take a look in my ear, I couldn't be bothered to take the antibiotics.  He said fine, wished me luck,  and with a laugh asked me to leave.

 

A week after that last visit and it is still no better.  The ringing is worse and sounds like a high pitched screech together with the kind of noise you get if you hold a seashell to your ear, but louder, if you know what I mean.  I still have hearing in that ear but only just, and now it is starting to ache a little bit.  There isn't a drop of ear wax or discharge in there so I doubt it is an infection?  I have googled it a little (although I try and avoid doctor google) and I have read something about the middle ear, whatever that is, being a potential cause.

 

Has anyone else had this type of problem?  Any suggestions for something I can pick up from a chemist to clear this up?  I could try another hospital, but so far the two different ENT docs I have seen have not been very helpful in my opinion and whist I am not in fear of covid, I dont want to start running around too many hospitals, clinics and chemists if I can help it.  Not for something as simple as this.  

 

I dont know if it is related or coincidence, but through this period I have also had itchy eyes starting at the same time, just as random and sudden.  Could this be some strange allergy problem?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

 

 

[Sheryl]

This isn't something that can be diagnosed on the web nor self treated, especially with partial loss of hearing involved.

 

you need to see a better ENT preferrably one specializing in hearing loss and tinnitus.

 

Where in Thailand are you located?

[moose7117]

Pete , i have been wearing hearing aids for years, i was not real smart when younger, and i get a similar problem.

I am not guaranteeing that this will work but it is cheap and works for me.

I have narrow ear canals , work in hot humid environments and as i said wear hearing aids, these things combined have allowed a fungus to from in my ears, it occasionally gets on the drum, i can tell because my tinnitus increases and my hearing goes a bit dull.

 

a doc in Thailand taught me to put a couple of Hydrogen Peroxide drops in my ear.

I lie on my side and use an eye dropper to put 2-4 drops in an ear, leave it for about ten minutes and then rinse it out gently with a small enema bulb.

Then lie down on other side and repeat the process.

usually when i flush my ears out i do it over a sink and check how much debris comes out of my ears.

sometimes i will do it two or three times per ear to get all the gunk out.

The Peroxide bubbles like crazy in your ears and as long as it is bubbling it is doing good.

just make sure that you rinse well after you have finished.

 

this is a cheap option and all the required items are readily available at any Pharmacy in Thailand.

[4MyEgo]

2 hours ago, SurinPete said:

I got the impression he couldn't get me out of the there quick enough.  I politely told him in a friendly way that if he couldn't be bothered to take a look in my ear, I couldn't be bothered to take the antibiotics.  He said fine, wished me luck,  and with a laugh asked me to leave.

 

What an idiot, read Sheryl's post 2 up from this, she will steer you in the right direction once you answer her reply by hitting the quote button under her post then start typing and then hit the save button, only suggesting this because you are a newbie and might not know how to ?

Edited February 3, 2021 by 4MyEgo

[Gecko123]

Just FYI, if you want to try another round of the ear infection drops, you can buy them at most pharmacies without going to a doctor.

 

Look for an upscale pharmacy, maybe in a mall,  and drops from Japanese or Western manufacturer, i.e., Taisho Pharmaceuticals. I bought an off-brand from my local druggist which only had limited benefit. Found a better brand per above advice which took care of problem.

 

I have had occasional ear infections here, something which I never had before moving here. Not sure why, but may have something to do with getting water in my ears while showering.

 

Edited February 3, 2021 by Gecko123

[SurinPete]

6 hours ago, Sheryl said:

This isn't something that can be diagnosed on the web nor self treated, especially with partial loss of hearing involved.

 

you need to see a better ENT preferrably one specializing in hearing loss and tinnitus.

 

Where in Thailand are you located?

 

Hello Sheryl.  I am usually in Surin but left yesterday for Khon Kean and will be here for 2 weeks.  

[SurinPete]

5 hours ago, moose7117 said:

Pete , i have been wearing hearing aids for years, i was not real smart when younger, and i get a similar problem.

I am not guaranteeing that this will work but it is cheap and works for me.

I have narrow ear canals , work in hot humid environments and as i said wear hearing aids, these things combined have allowed a fungus to from in my ears, it occasionally gets on the drum, i can tell because my tinnitus increases and my hearing goes a bit dull.

 

a doc in Thailand taught me to put a couple of Hydrogen Peroxide drops in my ear.

I lie on my side and use an eye dropper to put 2-4 drops in an ear, leave it for about ten minutes and then rinse it out gently with a small enema bulb.

Then lie down on other side and repeat the process.

usually when i flush my ears out i do it over a sink and check how much debris comes out of my ears.

sometimes i will do it two or three times per ear to get all the gunk out.

The Peroxide bubbles like crazy in your ears and as long as it is bubbling it is doing good.

just make sure that you rinse well after you have finished.

 

this is a cheap option and all the required items are readily available at any Pharmacy in Thailand.

 

Hi Moose.  Thats a very handy bit of info, thanks.  My only concern is that my ear is already very clean, there is not gunk in there and no wax at all.  I have a feeling the problem might be the other side of the ear drum in some way.

[SurinPete]

5 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

What an idiot, read Sheryl's post 2 up from this, she will steer you in the right direction once you answer her reply by hitting the quote button under her post then start typing and then hit the save button, only suggesting this because you are a newbie and might not know how to ?

 

I was a bit offended by it to be honest because I did explain I live in thailand and hadn't left Surin for a long time let alone Thailand.  I wonder if I read too much into it, but I can't think of another reason why he wouldnt come within 6 feet of me!

[SurinPete]

4 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

Just FYI, if you want to try another round of the ear infection drops, you can buy them at most pharmacies without going to a doctor.

 

Look for an upscale pharmacy, maybe in a mall,  and drops from Japanese or Western manufacturer, i.e., Taisho Pharmaceuticals. I bought an off-brand from my local druggist which only had limited benefit. Found a better brand per above advice which took care of problem.

 

I have had occasional ear infections here, something which I never had before moving here. Not sure why, but may have something to do with getting water in my ears while showering.

 

 

Thanks Gecko, I wasn't aware of that

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, SurinPete said:

 

Hello Sheryl.  I am usually in Surin but left yesterday for Khon Kean and will be here for 2 weeks.  

That is ideal as the best medical facility in Issan is there: Srinagarind Hospital (KKU Hospital)

 

Go through their after hours clinic and try to see Assoc. Prof. Patorn Piromchai

[Poet]

10 hours ago, SurinPete said:

The doctor there seemed to give me a real wide berth, telling me to sit on a chair a few meters from him and not bothering to look in my ear.  He told me I had an ear infection and tried to prescribe antibiotics.  I suggested he should actually look in my ear and he said "it's ok, I dont need to, I know what it is". 

The captures everything that is wrong with not only Thai medicine but Thai experts in general. They know everything and are surprised when you question that.

Your ear condition sounds so irritating, I hope you manage to sort it out soon.

 

[kokesaat]

12 hours ago, SurinPete said:

Hello.  Seems like a trivial thing to post about but I have an ear problem which the doctors seem unable to help with competently.  It started two weeks back with a random sudden onset of a blocked left ear, very itchy and tinnitus.  No discharge.  After a few days I went to the doctor at private hospital, he took a quick look and used a suction tool to remove ear wax which he said was impacted on the eardrum.  He also used a syringe to blast the ear out with saline.  He did all this while speaking to someone loudly on his phone on loudspeaker, it sounded like an informal friendly chat and he didn't seem very focused on the job at hand.  Anyway, It made no difference and when I told him so, he suggested to give it around 24 hours and if no better, come back.  1800 baht cost.  I waited a few days and went back told him it was still itchy and blocked.  He took a look and said there was still some 'liquid wax' blocking the ear drum and ran the same 3 minute procedure of suction and syringe.  I told him after the procedure that it was still blocked, itchy and ringing and he gave me some steroid ear drops, telling me to use them daily for a week.  Cost 2300 baht.  

 

After a week it was no better even with the drops, and with little faith in this doctor I tried a small private ENT clinic.  The doctor there seemed to give me a real wide berth, telling me to sit on a chair a few meters from him and not bothering to look in my ear.  He told me I had an ear infection and tried to prescribe antibiotics.  I suggested he should actually look in my ear and he said "it's ok, I dont need to, I know what it is".  My guess is he was worried about my being a westerner and covid?  I hinted at this and assured him I hadn't left the province for a whole year and there was no need to worry but he insisted it wasnt that and he just didn't need to look in my ear.  I got the impression he couldn't get me out of the there quick enough.  I politely told him in a friendly way that if he couldn't be bothered to take a look in my ear, I couldn't be bothered to take the antibiotics.  He said fine, wished me luck,  and with a laugh asked me to leave.

 

A week after that last visit and it is still no better.  The ringing is worse and sounds like a high pitched screech together with the kind of noise you get if you hold a seashell to your ear, but louder, if you know what I mean.  I still have hearing in that ear but only just, and now it is starting to ache a little bit.  There isn't a drop of ear wax or discharge in there so I doubt it is an infection?  I have googled it a little (although I try and avoid doctor google) and I have read something about the middle ear, whatever that is, being a potential cause.

 

Has anyone else had this type of problem?  Any suggestions for something I can pick up from a chemist to clear this up?  I could try another hospital, but so far the two different ENT docs I have seen have not been very helpful in my opinion and whist I am not in fear of covid, I dont want to start running around too many hospitals, clinics and chemists if I can help it.  Not for something as simple as this.  

 

I dont know if it is related or coincidence, but through this period I have also had itchy eyes starting at the same time, just as random and sudden.  Could this be some strange allergy problem?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

 

 

I had ear problems for many years.  Ofloxacin seemed to finally clear the problem for good.  I went to a variety of doctors/clinics......they vacuumed and at times gave oral antibiotics or swabbed the canal with a orange type of antibiotic (I never got the name of that, used only in the clinics), but to no avail, until I used Ofloxacin.

I'd guess you already know, but absolutely don't use q-tips.  Keep your ears dry as much as possible in the shower.  After showering, roll up a small piece of cotton ball and place it in the outer portion of the ear to further dry.  Don't scratch!  Sometimes, if my ear gets itchy or feels like it's beginning to get moist inside, I'll sleep with rolled up pieces of cotton balls in my ears.  

Good luck with clearing things up

[4MyEgo]

16 hours ago, SurinPete said:

 

I was a bit offended by it to be honest because I did explain I live in thailand and hadn't left Surin for a long time let alone Thailand.  I wonder if I read too much into it, but I can't think of another reason why he wouldnt come within 6 feet of me!

 

I certainly would have been offended, after all it is his job as a doctor to inspect the area and try to provide a prognosis, however the culture here is different to what we know back in the west, i.e. I went to a local Dr complaining about flu like symptoms, I expected her to ask me to open my mouth so she could inspect my throat/airways and to put her stethoscope onto my chest and back to hear my breathing, nope, antibiotics for a week, not better, same again, 2nd lot of antibiotics (different) type, still not getting any better, off to the government hospital for a Chest X-ray and some oxygen for 30 minutes, hospital staff told me my chest was clear, come tomorrow to see the specialist and do a spirometry test, did the test, saw the specialist, so young and didn't even look at me, asked the wife what was the problem while he was texting on his mobile, he then turned and looked at me and said to my wife, so he's coughing up yellow and brown phlegm, that means he is at the end of his flew, rest and he will get better.

 

I wasn't convinced by all of them because I knew I couldn't breath and was very unwell, so my wife suggested a private hospital which we went to, saw the Dr within 5 minutes after being weighed and my blood pressure taken, along with questions asked, one being am I allergic to anything, yes Penicillin. 

 

Dr asked me to have a chest X-ray, told him just had one, he said yes, but he needed to see the X-ray and if I didn't have it to do another X-ray, so I did, when the X-ray came back, he said go across the hallway and wait to see the chest specialist, who examined me fully and told me that I had a severe chest infection and she was going to prescribe me with a steroid inhaler to open up my airways and antibiotics, and that I should feel better within an hour of taking the meds and inhaler and to return to her immediately if I didn't, she suggested an appointment to see her in week as a follow up, all good, keep up with the drugs and she suggested another appointment in 2 weeks, did that and all good, off the meds, come back if it comes back, otherwise come back in 4 weeks, did that, all and good.

 

I have no problem in paying for my health, what I have learnt here from my experience is to go to a private hospital for treatment, that's just my own experience, others have told me the same, however I did go under the knife in a University Hospital in Khon Kaen (plastic surgeon) recommended by Sheryl to remove a Basil Casanova from my face and all went well so I suppose it depends on the government hospital, but for my surrounding hospitals, I will stick with the private hospital I know, I also feel better when I can speak English to a Doctor and they respond. 

 

Let us know when you find out what the prognosis is on your end, just out of curiosity, were blessed to have Sheryl here on TVF.

[SurinPete]

On 2/3/2021 at 10:46 PM, Sheryl said:

That is ideal as the best medical facility in Issan is there: Srinagarind Hospital (KKU Hospital)

 

Go through their after hours clinic and try to see Assoc. Prof. Patorn Piromchai

 

Thanks, I will go there tonight.  So you must have had the same issue if you know of this Prof specifically for an ear problem?  

[SurinPete]

On 2/4/2021 at 1:04 AM, kokesaat said:

I had ear problems for many years.  Ofloxacin seemed to finally clear the problem for good.  I went to a variety of doctors/clinics......they vacuumed and at times gave oral antibiotics or swabbed the canal with a orange type of antibiotic (I never got the name of that, used only in the clinics), but to no avail, until I used Ofloxacin.

I'd guess you already know, but absolutely don't use q-tips.  Keep your ears dry as much as possible in the shower.  After showering, roll up a small piece of cotton ball and place it in the outer portion of the ear to further dry.  Don't scratch!  Sometimes, if my ear gets itchy or feels like it's beginning to get moist inside, I'll sleep with rolled up pieces of cotton balls in my ears.  

Good luck with clearing things up

 

I have learnt the hard way about q tips.  I had no idea how bad they are for you until reading up on the internet this week.  I used to use them 2 or 3 times a week to be honest, but will not in the future thats for sure.

[SurinPete]

22 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

I certainly would have been offended, after all it is his job as a doctor to inspect the area and try to provide a prognosis, however the culture here is different to what we know back in the west, i.e. I went to a local Dr complaining about flu like symptoms, I expected her to ask me to open my mouth so she could inspect my throat/airways and to put her stethoscope onto my chest and back to hear my breathing, nope, antibiotics for a week, not better, same again, 2nd lot of antibiotics (different) type, still not getting any better, off to the government hospital for a Chest X-ray and some oxygen for 30 minutes, hospital staff told me my chest was clear, come tomorrow to see the specialist and do a spirometry test, did the test, saw the specialist, so young and didn't even look at me, asked the wife what was the problem while he was texting on his mobile, he then turned and looked at me and said to my wife, so he's coughing up yellow and brown phlegm, that means he is at the end of his flew, rest and he will get better.

 

I wasn't convinced by all of them because I knew I couldn't breath and was very unwell, so my wife suggested a private hospital which we went to, saw the Dr within 5 minutes after being weighed and my blood pressure taken, along with questions asked, one being am I allergic to anything, yes Penicillin. 

 

Dr asked me to have a chest X-ray, told him just had one, he said yes, but he needed to see the X-ray and if I didn't have it to do another X-ray, so I did, when the X-ray came back, he said go across the hallway and wait to see the chest specialist, who examined me fully and told me that I had a severe chest infection and she was going to prescribe me with a steroid inhaler to open up my airways and antibiotics, and that I should feel better within an hour of taking the meds and inhaler and to return to her immediately if I didn't, she suggested an appointment to see her in week as a follow up, all good, keep up with the drugs and she suggested another appointment in 2 weeks, did that and all good, off the meds, come back if it comes back, otherwise come back in 4 weeks, did that, all and good.

 

I have no problem in paying for my health, what I have learnt here from my experience is to go to a private hospital for treatment, that's just my own experience, others have told me the same, however I did go under the knife in a University Hospital in Khon Kaen (plastic surgeon) recommended by Sheryl to remove a Basil Casanova from my face and all went well so I suppose it depends on the government hospital, but for my surrounding hospitals, I will stick with the private hospital I know, I also feel better when I can speak English to a Doctor and they respond. 

 

Let us know when you find out what the prognosis is on your end, just out of curiosity, were blessed to have Sheryl here on TVF.

 

Sounds to me like a typical medical experience in Thailand.  Others may disagree, but whenever I have had cause to use a doctor in Thailand I have always come away feeling that they did a poor job and my general feeling is that the level of care isn't very good.  One thing I have always noticed is that they rarely listen, or ask questions.  It seems to be an attitude of 'sit down, tell me your problem in as few words as possible' before they go on to prescribe antibiotics or insist on an xray you dont need.

[DavisH]

On 2/3/2021 at 10:56 PM, Poet said:

The captures everything that is wrong with not only Thai medicine but Thai experts in general. They know everything and are surprised when you question that.

Your ear condition sounds so irritating, I hope you manage to sort it out soon.

 

One just needs to find the right doctor. Some don't liek answerign questions. I guess the are not used to it as most Thais don't question the doctor. A doctor I see at BIDI for my blood and pee checks always answers my questions and is happy too. The wife knows the staff in that hospital so I was directed to this particular one. And she is lovely too:)

[swm59nj]

On 2/3/2021 at 12:03 PM, SurinPete said:

Hello.  Seems like a trivial thing to post about but I have an ear problem which the doctors seem unable to help with competently.  It started two weeks back with a random sudden onset of a blocked left ear, very itchy and tinnitus.  No discharge.  After a few days I went to the doctor at private hospital, he took a quick look and used a suction tool to remove ear wax which he said was impacted on the eardrum.  He also used a syringe to blast the ear out with saline.  He did all this while speaking to someone loudly on his phone on loudspeaker, it sounded like an informal friendly chat and he didn't seem very focused on the job at hand.  Anyway, It made no difference and when I told him so, he suggested to give it around 24 hours and if no better, come back.  1800 baht cost.  I waited a few days and went back told him it was still itchy and blocked.  He took a look and said there was still some 'liquid wax' blocking the ear drum and ran the same 3 minute procedure of suction and syringe.  I told him after the procedure that it was still blocked, itchy and ringing and he gave me some steroid ear drops, telling me to use them daily for a week.  Cost 2300 baht.  

 

After a week it was no better even with the drops, and with little faith in this doctor I tried a small private ENT clinic.  The doctor there seemed to give me a real wide berth, telling me to sit on a chair a few meters from him and not bothering to look in my ear.  He told me I had an ear infection and tried to prescribe antibiotics.  I suggested he should actually look in my ear and he said "it's ok, I dont need to, I know what it is".  My guess is he was worried about my being a westerner and covid?  I hinted at this and assured him I hadn't left the province for a whole year and there was no need to worry but he insisted it wasnt that and he just didn't need to look in my ear.  I got the impression he couldn't get me out of the there quick enough.  I politely told him in a friendly way that if he couldn't be bothered to take a look in my ear, I couldn't be bothered to take the antibiotics.  He said fine, wished me luck,  and with a laugh asked me to leave.

 

A week after that last visit and it is still no better.  The ringing is worse and sounds like a high pitched screech together with the kind of noise you get if you hold a seashell to your ear, but louder, if you know what I mean.  I still have hearing in that ear but only just, and now it is starting to ache a little bit.  There isn't a drop of ear wax or discharge in there so I doubt it is an infection?  I have googled it a little (although I try and avoid doctor google) and I have read something about the middle ear, whatever that is, being a potential cause.

 

Has anyone else had this type of problem?  Any suggestions for something I can pick up from a chemist to clear this up?  I could try another hospital, but so far the two different ENT docs I have seen have not been very helpful in my opinion and whist I am not in fear of covid, I dont want to start running around too many hospitals, clinics and chemists if I can help it.  Not for something as simple as this.  

 

I dont know if it is related or coincidence, but through this period I have also had itchy eyes starting at the same time, just as random and sudden.  Could this be some strange allergy problem?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

 

 

         Hi. Sorry to hear about your issue. I have sinus issues and see a very good ENT doctor at Bumrungrad Hospital. I have seen him more than once. If you want to try one more time to see a doctor, you can message me and I will give you his name. He gives a good exam and is easy to talk to, answering any questions. I wouldnt try to self medicate. It could make matters worse.

[SurinPete]

Went to the after hours clinic at KK hospital as per Sheryl suggestion.  A friend of mine said this hospital is a nightmare for waiting around and lots of red tape, but it wasn't like that for me I was in and out in 30 minutes.  I couldn't see the prof Sheryl recommended he wasnt there, but did see another doctor who was very good.  Turns out the infection is bacterial and fungal, I was given some Ciprofloxacin and a couple of strong ear drops and told to go back if it isnt better.

 

It isnt clearing up as of yet though.  Jan 20th I first went to the doctor about this, 3 weeks seems like a long time to have an ear infection with a middle ear full of nasty liquid.  Now I have a swollen tonsil on one side and im wondering if it has spread somehow.

 

Anyway, isnt much I can do really.  Just wait it out I guess.  Thanks for your advice one and all.   

[Sheryl]

If after a  couple of days on meds there is no appatent improvement doesn't  go back to the hospital.