Turning to BBI for medical advice.
In a nutshell, I had chronic problems in my right ear as a kid; 3 reconstructive surgeries over the years later, I have a 15% hearing loss on the right side. Left ear has been fine...up until very recently.
Both eardrums have had tubes for years due to poorly-functioning eustachian tubes.
Long story short, I have suddenly been experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, and drainage in the left ear for 3 weeks now; no infection. Various blood tests have come back negative, and the doctor is stumped. I went for a CT scan this morning to rule out a tumor at the base of the brain. Called the facility at 4:30 this afternoon to see if the report is ready, and the nurse told me, "So sorry...it is done, but it's awaiting the radiologist to sign off on it, and that likely won't happen until Monday." She seemed sympathetic, and I told her that I will be twisting in the wind all weekend with the notion of a potentially life-changing situation that would go along with a positive result.
"Oh I can imagine; I feel so badly. Give me your cell number, and I will keep an eye on it to see if for some reason it gets ok'd. If so, I will contact you right away."
My co-workers seem confident that if the tech had actually spotted a tumor, then I would have been notified by my doctor hours ago to get right into his office. Does this sound reasonable to those of you with experience? Would they let me go for 2+ days if they had an inkling there was a tumor?
Thanks...
My own frequent experiences with CTs (unavoidable) tell me the same thing: you'd be told right away. Your doc ought to have immediate access to your scan with or without the radiologists's report. He can read the damned thing (or ought to be able to do so -- if not, change docs).
As a young child (about 4) I put playdough in my ear (left side) and forgot about it for over a 24 hour period ( I am not kidding - I wish I was). When my mother had given me a bath and was cleaning my ears there was a blue color coming off on the swab. She immediately took me to the Dr and he pulled out the piece of play dough - that had damaged the ear drum.
Most of my childhood to my later teens were spent in the EN&T's office. 5-6 surgeries since I was 9 years old. Some reconstructive some just "tube insertions" to help with drainage. My damage was at the top of the drum (a hole) so any time water got in there it stayed trapped behind the drum .... and instant infection. If the hole was at the bottom of the drum, the water would have been able to drain much easier obviously.
Anyway, enough about me - the point is I have dealt with a lot of ear problems over the years. What bothers me is you say that you are having drainage (puss?) and there is "no infection"? Are you sure about that? Drainage for me meant automatic infection and then another bottle of ear drops (otic suspension - not the solution). I spent many a dry summer - no pools or beaches. I went actually but, I just couldn't get my head wet. That sucks if you love the water (like me).
I would bet money you do not have a tumor(s) - but, if you are having drainage - that is the first sign of an infection.
Good luck Grunings !! I know the next 48 hours are going to seem like 48 days but, I really would not worry (I know that is easy for me to say) : ) ). But, I really am confident you will be alright.
Keep us posted either way.
It's times like this where one realizes the disadvantages of living outside the NY metropolitan area/Los Angeles/Chicago: finding a doctor for an out-of-the-ordinary problem isn't so easy.
I have had a long history of ear problems; haven't put my head under water in a pool/ocean for 15 years. As someone above pointed out, I too have always associated "drainage" with "infection." I have been to two different ear doctors over the past 3 weeks, and both say there is no infection. The most recent guy is an old-timer with pretty serious credentials, though I am having doubts. Doctor is stumped, and my wife noted him checking google for answers. Blood test for something called "granulomatosis with polyangiitis" came back negative (doctor: "A false negative in the early stages of this rare disease is common, so you may need to re-test every month for YEARS.") The aforementioned CT scan appears to be ok. What scared the hell out of me on my last visit with this doctor on Thursday was when he said a best-case outcome will be that I will require a hearing aid on my left ear, which had perfect hearing 3 weeks ago.
I do have an appointment on Monday morning with another local doctor who spent many years at Columbia Presbyterian before moving down here for the warmer climate; the fact that he doesn't take my insurance is of little concern at this juncture. Whatever this problem is, it had been painless...up until yesterday afternoon when it flared up to a steady throbbing pain that felt like a standard middle ear infection. Antibiotics I have been prescribed do nothing so far as I can tell. Pain seems to have subsided, though I feel as if I'm sitting idly while Rome burns. Monday morning's appointment with the new doctor can't get here soon enough.
They are geniuses down there and have the cutting edge of technology
It's times like this where one realizes the disadvantages of living outside the NY metropolitan area/Los Angeles/Chicago: finding a doctor for an out-of-the-ordinary problem isn't so easy.
I have had a long history of ear problems; haven't put my head under water in a pool/ocean for 15 years. As someone above pointed out, I too have always associated "drainage" with "infection." I have been to two different ear doctors over the past 3 weeks, and both say there is no infection. The most recent guy is an old-timer with pretty serious credentials, though I am having doubts. Doctor is stumped, and my wife noted him checking google for answers. Blood test for something called "granulomatosis with polyangiitis" came back negative (doctor: "A false negative in the early stages of this rare disease is common, so you may need to re-test every month for YEARS.") The aforementioned CT scan appears to be ok. What scared the hell out of me on my last visit with this doctor on Thursday was when he said a best-case outcome will be that I will require a hearing aid on my left ear, which had perfect hearing 3 weeks ago.
I do have an appointment on Monday morning with another local doctor who spent many years at Columbia Presbyterian before moving down here for the warmer climate; the fact that he doesn't take my insurance is of little concern at this juncture. Whatever this problem is, it had been painless...up until yesterday afternoon when it flared up to a steady throbbing pain that felt like a standard middle ear infection. Antibiotics I have been prescribed do nothing so far as I can tell. Pain seems to have subsided, though I feel as if I'm sitting idly while Rome burns. Monday morning's appointment with the new doctor can't get here soon enough.
Because of also having a long history of ear problems G - I have been thinking or wondering - whatever the proper word or phrase is....(maybe I am just noisy?) : ) ---- how you made out at the DA yesterday?
I am betting that you got a clean bill of health ... no tumors? Anyway any updates? Hope all the news was good ....
benign