am I the only one that stays on the ear infection merry-go-round? I swear, it seems like i just get over having one, and blamo! another crops up. they are outter ear infections, and can be quite painful.

My local MD was over run, and said I should go to the ER. I called the ER who said it was NOT a covered emergency, that I could hang on and see my MD in a day or two. I could be seen at the ER, but would have to pay cash. I had an appointment lined up with my local MD who shut down his practice because of being overwhelmed with medicaid patients and being the only one for a long way around that accepts medicaid, it was impossible to get to see him. He finally closed his doors. The local hospital that he worked for, said they are shy by more than 20 MDs and are working hard to hire more staff, but cannot see less than emergent cases. Go to the ER. ARGH!

I went to the next city up, and used an ala carte MD. he is CASH only. NO insurance. anyway, very pleasant, $25 bucks to look in my ear vs $500 for the ER, and he confirms its outter ear infection. Got my rx, and off I go.

its just one infection after another in my ear. I am miserable, I am cranky, and I have had enough of this. Does anyone else deal with the round robin of ear infections? Should I be doing something different. The new MD (who I like very much) said its just one of those things, and I am doing everything right. Hang in there. He gave me Cipro drops for my ear. lets hope this works.

Have they told you specifically what the drops are for? Otitis Media?

I used to get constant ear infections, but not since being dx with MS???? I always thought it was my tonsils, which I still have, causing the problem.

Cipro can cause MS sx to raise their ugly head, with some people. I'm allergic to it, myself..

Feel better..

I have been using my cortisporin drops for days now, and its not helping. The MD said Cipro drops are for outter, and middle ear infections, and while he wouldnt want to give me oral cipro as an MS patient, he wouldnt mind seeing this thing cleared once and for all and thought the cipro drops in my ear may be just the thing. I was very pleased that his staff called my home to make sure I got my rx filled, and had my first dose without issue. WOW! talk about great service. They asked if I had any questions or concerns, and I assured them that I understood the instructions, and medicine.

I am not allergic to cipro, and have agreed to take this bigger step up only because we cant seem to stop the merry go round with traditional methods. I just hope this works.

He said he was unable to see my ear drum because my canal was so swollen, and inflammed. he said he suspected that because of some of my sx that the middle ear may now be involved. I liked that he wsnt dismissive of the fact that I have MS, and my body over reacts.

I am just so tired of this. *sigh*

This may up the ante. Could be Otitis Media, which can tie back to MS. But, I suppose it's a longshot. Ken

Oh Dej I feel for you! I get outer ear infections every once in a while because of the hearing aid I wear in my right ear (like everything else, right side..). A few years ago I spoke to an ER doctor over the phone, who told me to get 95% or better rubbing alcohol, and put drops in my ear to dry it out so it could heal. I haven't had to go back for this problem since then since I can deal with it myself (providing I catch it early). It's kinda like swimmer's ear, I guess..Anyway, I don't know if this is anything like what you're dealing with, but it's REALLY painful, so thought I'd share what I know. Hope the ear infection-go-round stops soon!

Sometimes it can be a fungus. Only a culture will show that however.

I'd suggest using the silicone ear plugs whenever you shower and/or wash your hair.

This is the type I mean:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/pr...7&btrx=BS-7847
(not the hard kind)....these mold to the ear and keep water out.

When my son had tubes... he used these. The ENT said you could also use Silly Putty...but I was a bit squeamish about THAT-- I thought they would be "dirty"... etc.

If your ear drum is damaged, middle ear infection can leak out.
But since you had that other skin thing a while back, I wonder if you have a fungus?

I have had 3 ear infections in just the last couple of months. I never had any before. I also have had 2 skin boils and never had one of them before. The urgent care place I went to for the 2nd boil cultured it and found it was MRSA which really freaked me out. I have been wondering what is going on, myself.

Hi,
One of the side effects mentioned on the Mayo Clinic website, for the drug Copaxone, lists ear pain. The "C" insert lists ear pain and that infections can slip through as it is an immodulator, that doesn't recognize infections, so they get in.

Are you still on "C"?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dru...N=side-effects