My Battle with Eardrum Rupture and Sclerosed Mastoid
I’m a 29-year-old woman, standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 50 kilograms. Health is important to me, so I make a point to eat healthily—I mostly avoid restaurant meals and plastic food containers, include fresh fruits in my diet every day, and maintain a daily exercise routine. Overall, I keep fit and aside from the occasional cough or cold, I’ve had no significant health problems. For as long as I can remember, my ears have experienced persistent itching, which I had always considered rather commonplace. To alleviate this sensation, I often used Q-tips, which felt amazing. Occasionally, when I probed deeper, I would hear an enhanced sound echoing in my head—an enjoyable experience! Throughout my life, I visited several ENT specialists, and they all recommended ear drops. Applying these drops brought more unique sensations, like the delightful trickling of liquid down my ear canal, followed by soft crush-like noises that I found equally satisfying. After lying on one side for about five minutes, I would sit up to find the liquid trickling back out, accompanied by more itching that always brought me back to my trusty Q-tip. Sometimes, I even resorted to vigorously shaking my pinky-finger in the canal for relief. This ear-related ritual continued for 25 years. The itching wasn't constant; it’d occur a few times a week, which I mostly tolerated. Recently, I was alarmed when I discovered that the Q-tip emerged with a foul-smelling discharge. Additionally, clear fluid began draining from my ear and formed crusts along the canal. Concerned, I made an appointment and visited the doctor after a two-week interval. He examined my ear and informed me that I had a ruptured eardrum, while X-ray results indicated that my mastoid was sclerosed. Surgery is now necessary, which has left me feeling quite defeated. He prescribed me a regimen of Bilastine, Montelukast, and Cefuroxime Axetil tablets, to be taken twice a day for two weeks. The doctor was adamant that I must keep any water completely out of my ear. Lately, I’ve also been feeling pain around the mastoid area, with a small painful bump just beneath my earlobe. My ear often feels blocked, and if I lightly tap my temple near the affected side, the sound ricochets in a strange manner. Until now, my ear had mostly brought me pleasure and occasional itching, with no pain involved. Currently, the discomfort is centralized around the mastoid region; I don’t feel any pain within the ear itself. Oddly, the ear drops still provide some satisfaction. What on earth is going on with me? Is this surgery critical? With my final exams for postgraduate studies approaching in just a few weeks, I’m feeling quite stressed about the timing. I deserve any criticism for the negligence towards my ears. I just wish the doctors could have provided more insight during my earlier visits!
Answers (1)
8/9/2025, 6:40:54 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm truly sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds like you've been managing a challenging and uncomfortable issue with your ears, and it's understandable that this has become a source of distress for you, especially with your upcoming exams. Let’s break down the key points and what you can do next.
Main Points:
- Ruptured Eardrum and Sclerosed Mastoid: Your recent diagnosis indicates a significant ear issue that requires careful attention.
- Symptoms of Infection: The foul-smelling discharge and additional symptoms suggest an infection, which is serious.
- Surgery Necessity and Stress Management: Surgery can be critical to address complications from the rupture and sclerosed mastoid.
Explanation:
A ruptured eardrum can lead to fluid leakage and infection, which seems to be the case given your symptoms. The presence of a sclerosed mastoid indicates long-standing issues that may require surgical intervention to prevent further complications, such as chronic infection or hearing loss. The routine with Q-tips and other probing measures likely contributed to irritation and potential infections over the years.
Feeling pressure or strange sounds when tapping your temple is not uncommon with these conditions, but it's a sign that your ear's health needs to be prioritized. The medications you've been prescribed are likely intended to manage pain, inflammation, and infections.
Next Steps:
- Adhere to Medical Advice: Follow your doctor’s instructions regarding medications and keep your ear completely dry. This is crucial to avoid further complications.
- Seek Clarity on Surgery: It's understandable to want to know more about the necessity of the surgery. If possible, consider reaching out to your doctor or a nurse for additional information on what the procedure entails, expected recovery time, and how it may affect your studies. Don’t hesitate to express your concerns and ask for reassurance.
- Pain Management: While you're waiting for surgery, manage pain with over-the-counter pain relief, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, unless contraindicated for you. Always follow dosing instructions.
- Stay Calm and Focused: With finals approaching, plan short, dedicated study sessions. This can help manage your stress levels. Consider relaxation techniques like breathing exercises to help alleviate anxiety about your situation.
You’re doing your best to stay healthy; now, you must focus on healing your ear. If any symptoms worsen, such as increased pain, uncontrollable discharge, or fever, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention. You're taking important steps towards getting better, and I’m here to support you through this process.
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