Persistent Nasal Discomfort and Ear Pain Concerns
I am a 26-year-old female, weighing 120 lbs and standing 5 feet 1 inch tall. I do not consume drugs or alcohol and am a former smoker. Currently, I am taking 40 mg of Strattera for attention-related issues. Last summer, I experienced a sinus infection and was prescribed antibiotics, which alleviated the immediate symptoms; however, the problem seems to have lingered. I now frequently suffer from a runny nose that is accompanied by an unpleasant odor, sinus-related headaches, and persistent tinnitus. During my visit to the doctor, we tried nasal steroid treatments alongside a prednisone regimen, but I had to discontinue the latter midway due to experiencing chest pains. Despite being on the nasal steroids for six weeks, I saw no improvement. I was referred to an ear, nose, and throat specialist, but later they contacted me saying that my primary physician could manage my condition. Currently, I feel perplexed because it has been over a year since these issues began, and my ear pain has intensified recently. I have just completed another round of amoxicillin due to noticeable redness in my ear. I am seeking advice on what this could indicate or what steps I should take next, especially since the ENT turned down my referral from my primary care doctor. My doctor mentioned that they would likely just restart the steroid treatment if I were seen by the ENT anyway.
Answers (1)
6/19/2025, 2:20:53 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with persistent nasal discomfort and ear pain that have been troubling you for an extended period. Given your history of sinus infections and treatments, it’s understandable that you’re feeling frustrated and uncertain about your next steps.
Summary of your concerns:
- Persistent nasal congestion, runny nose with odor, sinus headaches, tinnitus, and recent ear pain.
- Previous treatments, including antibiotics and nasal steroids, with limited success.
- Confusion about the referral process to an ENT specialist.
Explanation:
Your symptoms suggest a possible chronic sinus condition, which might include chronic rhinosinusitis or another underlying issue like allergies or structural problems in your nasal passages. The unpleasant odor from your nasal discharge can be a sign of infection or inflammation affecting your sinuses. With your history of symptoms persisting for over a year, it’s important to find effective treatments that work for you.
Next Steps:
-
Continue Symptom Tracking: Keep a detailed symptom diary, noting the severity and timing of your nasal discomfort, ear pain, and any changes in your symptoms. This can help identify potential triggers or patterns.
-
Consider Allergy Testing: If not previously done, talk to your doctor about potential allergy testing. Allergies can cause chronic sinus issues and might require different management strategies.
-
Nasal Irrigation: Use a saline nasal rinse daily to help clear mucus and reduce inflammation. This can also help with cleanup if there's any infection. It’s a safe, non-medicated option to relieve nasal symptoms.
-
Review Medications: Since you had issues with prednisone leading to chest pain, discuss alternative treatments with your doctor that can manage inflammation without causing uncomfortable side effects.
-
Follow-Up with the ENT: If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, insist on seeing an ENT specialist again. If they feel your symptoms are manageable within your primary care, consider asking your primary doctor for a second opinion or clarification on ongoing management options.
-
Monitor for Worsening Symptoms: Be vigilant for any new severe symptoms, such as fever, significant ear pain, or difficulty breathing, and seek immediate care if these occur.
I empathize with how challenging chronic health issues can be, especially when facing uncertainty about treatment options. You're taking the right steps by seeking further clarification and management strategies. Please feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need support!
Related Questions
Concern About Possible Worm in Diaper
My two-year-old daughter hasn’t been diagnosed with any health conditions and isn’t on any medications. I’ve already reached out to her pediatrician, but I'm eager to hear opinions from others regarding a recent discovery. During a diaper change, I noticed something unusual on her backside. At first, it appeared clear, but after a few hours, it dried up, resembling the way worms might look after rain. I'm curious—could this be a worm?
Inquiry About Life Impact of Eating Disorder
I am a 40-year-old woman, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 137 pounds. My medical history includes complex post-traumatic stress disorder, allergies, asthma, and dermatitis. For 25 years, I have struggled with an eating disorder characterized by anorexia and episodes of bingeing and purging, but I have been free from these behaviors for the past four years. Additionally, I have a heart murmur and have been sober from alcohol and drugs for four years. I have undergone three rounds of educational treatment and spent significant time in various hospitals. Seventeen years ago, a doctor warned me that I had just one week to live due to the complications of my condition, and it's been estimated that my eating disorder has cost me ten years of my life. My question is, can my eating disorder accurately be said to have reduced my lifespan by ten years?
My Ex-Partner's Positive Chlamydia Test: A Confusing Situation
After receiving a positive diagnosis for chlamydia via a NAT test, my girlfriend insists that she hasn’t been unfaithful. I’ve already begun treatment and, unfortunately, am unable to undergo a follow-up test. Despite the high reliability of these results, I have tested negative myself. Every healthcare professional I consulted seems to believe she has been unfaithful. We’ve shared three years together, but after much contemplation, I decided to end our relationship today. Now, I find myself questioning whether I’ve made the right choice, as I fear I might be ending things with someone who could be innocent, which deeply troubles me.
Understanding My Symptoms: What to Do Next
30 years old Height: 5’6 Weight: 180 pounds This morning, I woke up drenched in sweat, dealing with a fever of 101 degrees. It seems as if I have caught the typical bugs after recently being surrounded by sick children during my daughter's kindergarten graduation. I felt miserable throughout the day, accompanied by dizziness and bloating. I have ongoing back problems, and while preparing my daughter for bed, my back pain intensified, which in turn made me feel dizzier. In response to the escalating discomfort, I began to scream. The harder I screamed, the more saliva I produced, leading to repeated episodes of vomiting. This is a scenario I've never encountered before. Now, after nearly an hour, I am experiencing a sense of pressure in my abdomen. While I'm not feeling acutely dizzy, I still feel somewhat off balance and a bit disoriented, with my vision also slightly impaired. I did take some cold and flu medication earlier today (two capsules) along with Sedaflu (three pills). Currently, I’m on the following medications: Lamotrigine at 400mg, Lithium at 1050mg, Klonopin at 2mg, Adderall XR at 30mg, Adderall IR at 15mg, and Hydrocodone at 7.5/325mg (two times daily). Additionally, I take Tizanidine (half of the lowest dose, though I took a full dose today), Topiramate at 50mg, Phentermine at 37.5mg, and Atrorvastatin (I apologize for the misspelling) at 10mg for cholesterol. I also take a multivitamin from Garden of Life and use Albuterol sulfate and Lidocaine patches as needed, though the patches occasionally cause rashes.
Could Motrin Trigger Diarrhea in Toddlers?
Yesterday, my three-year-old experienced a fever that persisted into this morning, accompanied only by a headache. Based on his doctor's advice, I administered Motrin both yesterday after the fever returned and again this morning, after which he seemed to improve significantly. Later, I decided to give him another dose right before bedtime due to the headache. Approximately an hour later, he awoke distressed, complaining of a sudden urge to use the restroom, resulting in diarrhea. This was an unprecedented occurrence for him. To add to my worries, he is scheduled for heart surgery this Friday. I’m anxious that this might affect the upcoming procedure. Although the nurse reassured me that his overall improvement means he should be okay, I'm still quite unsettled by the night’s events and the unexpected need for a bathroom visit.