Saturday, March 15, 2008

Complete and Total Desperation, My Hellish Ordeal!

If you've never experienced an adult ear infection consider yourself EXTREMELY lucky. I've proudly been ear infection free since childhood until last Sunday night. I'd felt loads of pressure in my ears and head all day Sunday so I popped a few Sudafed and dealt with it. Sunday night at 11:45 I was abruptly awoken with a RAGGING, THROBBING pain in my ear. After I'd taken 4 Ibuprofen (which is the max dose) and they had not worked, I searched the Internet for home remedies because it's 1 am and NO WHERE is open except the ER and I have too much pride to go there for a silly ear infection. The Internet proved very unhelpful, who has garlic juice, cinnamon oil, or Colloidal Silver? And I was in no condition to drive to Walmart, I'd just about cried all my make-up off and my hair was sticking up! So it's 2 in the morning and I decided to either: shoot myself or sew a bean bag that I could heat up to see if that works. The only random material I had was Batman so I quickly sew myself a hideously done batman bean bag and heat it up. It provided some relief and I think by then the drugs FINALLY decided to work a little. I'm was able to doze off until 5 when the pain came back in FULL force and once again I wanted to claw my ear off. I couldn't take more ibuprofen because it hadn't been 6 hours and I have nothing else, no aspirin, no acetaminophen, no percocet, nothing! So I'm up for the day sitting on the couch trying to remain in control because I've never experienced pain so intense and unrelenting before. An ear infection, how bad can it be right? I couldn't think and it's all I could do not to take the entire bottle of ibuprofen. Blink, blink, blink went my eyes so I didn't cry AGAIN for the hundredth time that night. I decided to get dressed so at 7 when the doctor's office opened I'd be there. Chris was a dear and got the rugrats up, dressed, and over to the sitters. At 6:58 I'm driving to the doctors. I tell the receptionist I need to be seen RIGHT NOW but she didn't have an appointment until 7:45, okay I'll sit here and wait. Don't cry, don't cry. Heaven must have finally been smiling on me because the Dr.'s asst. was right on time. She kept asking me questions and I could hardly answer, I think by this time I was delirious from the screaming pain and lack of sleep. My ear hurt more the I could begin to express. I was seated in a room and the Dr. came and tried to small talk. I tried not to be rude but QUIT TALKING TO ME AND GIVE ME SOME DRUGS! You have an ear infection he says, like I didn't know, and prescribes me an antibiotic. What about pain meds I insist. Oh, you'll be fine, just take some ibuprofen he dismissively responded. I could have punched him, obviously he's never and an ear infection! Again I'm trying not to cry and I'm emotionally and physically exhasuted. And wouldn't you know, Walgreens wasn't open for another very long 5 mins. When those doors opened I was the first in and practically ran people over to get to the pharmacy first. I got my prescription and went on my way to work. What was I thinking, like I'd be able to work all day. I lasted 2 hours.

So the pain was finally under control, not gone just under control, and I could function ok. I couldn't hear out of my right side and I had a deafening ringing in my ear but I could handle that. I rested all day Monday and Tuesday. And then Wednesday rolls around. The hell begins again. Our balance is in our ears, a VERY silly place to control balance I've decided. I wasn't surprised that Tuesday I was a little dizzy but when Wednesday hit dizzy doesn't fully describe it. I could hardly walk I was spinning so fast. Trying to be brave and un-baby I attempted to go to work. Two hours later I'm home begging my Mother to come and get my rugrats because I can't hold my head up. Thankfully she did! For the next TWO days I couldn't leave my bed, I couldn't even open my eyes because every time I did the room spun making me nauseous. I couldn't go to the bathroom, I couldn't eat, and I couldn't hold my head up or even move it. I desperately called the Dr. and as luck would have it he wasn't in on Thursday and I'd have to suffer another miserable day before I could be seen. Mean while my poor children are bouncing from house to house. There's absolutely no way I could've taken care of them, I couldn't even roll over in my bed. Our sweet neighbor came over and helped Chris give me a blessing which really helped me get a grip on my emotions. By Friday I got into the Dr. and I had acute labrynthitis, a fancy name for vertigo. I got another prescription for motion sickness and was told that it'd gradually go away over the next couple weeks. So over the next few days I was able to finally walk and function as long as I didn't look down or turn my head too fast. And now the dizziness is gone and my ear is almost normal.

Consider this a very personal invitation, if you EVER have an ear infection or get vertigo, or any other illness that takes you out of commission I expect a phone call. I will pick up your children and watch them for a week if that's how long it takes to function again. I have a whole new appreciation for children's ear infections. Never again will I get irritated from the crying, sleepless night my child had or get upset because I have to pay a copay at the doctors. I will be nothing but loving and patient and understanding because I've never ever, ever had such an intense, unrelenting, consuming pain like I did when I got a silly ear infection.

20 comments:

Brittanie said...

I got an ear infection exactly 2 years ago and it was one of the worst nights of my life!! It sounds like yours was worse though! Good grief!! I'm glad you are feeling better. I wish I lived there so that your kids could have moved in with me for the week! Love ya!

Pam Jorgensen said...

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow...so sorry! Hope that NEVER happens to you again!

DaNelle said...

Oh my gosh Heidi! Thats vertigo is what I've been dealing with for the past 2 years! Now somebody knows what it feels like You are totally incapacitated! NOw I finally have foound the reason and am on the road to recovery but man, it does make your life miserable, doesn't it?!

Shanen said...

I am soo sorry Heidi. I could feel your pain with your story, lucky for us I have NO IDEA what that pain is like, nor do any of my children. I am blessed to say....knock on wood, not once have any of my children had an ear infection. Now if you want to talk Kidney Stones??? I can relate, but not ear infections. I am soo sorry you had to go through that. I am glad you are feeling better.

blah, blah by lindsey said...

you know i would have taken your kids. i hope you never have to go through that again, does not sound fun

Heather said...

I am so glad you are feeling better! I can't even remember what an ear infection feels like but I will take your word and hope I never get one!

Alisa Larson said...

Dang girl that's rough! I've heard it's really bad and that sometimes you get vertigo, but I didn't know it would last that long! That's terrible! If it ever happens again - call me and I would help with those so called "rug-rats"!

Chelsea said...

OUCH!!!!!!! Seriously, I knew it had to be bad because Brayden got one out of the blue a little while ago (he hasn't had one in about 3 yrs) and it was so intense, he was on the floor in a tiny ball just yelping & bawling his eyes out. This was after the FULL dose of Motrin & ear numbing drops. His body started shaking like he was going into shock & it just kept getting worse so I finally drove to the 24hr Pediatric Urgent Care at 3 AM!! I didn't know what the heck else to do?! You are a tough cookie, I am so sorry & OUCH again, it must be horrendous. Poor babies & kids!

julie williams said...

Heidi
Hey women...so sorry to hear about your ordeal. Makes you have some sympathy for our little ones doesn't it!! It was good to hear from you the other day. Sorry it took me so long to respond...not feeling so great these days. I can sympathize with laying in bed not wanting to raise my head. Only everytime I raise my head I throw up! Oh well this too shall pass and in Sept. I will have a new little one. Take care and get better!! Your mom ROCKS!!!!!!
Julie Williams

Nichols Family said...

I had one when Tyler was a baby. I begged my Dr to laserate my eardrum so it could drain, but nope, he said it would cause hearing loss. Do you think I gave a crap about hearing loss at that point? It took 2 weeks to feel better and 6 weeks before I could hear out of that ear. So, you have a shoulder to cry on...MINE! But I am certainly so glad you are feeling better...hope you never get one again! Your bead party was so fun, can't wait to show my sparkles off!

Kristin said...

You poor thing! I must say that I have not had an ear infection for a long time, but I still remember how bad they hurt! I feel bad that I didn't know, I would have totally taken you kids for you. I'm glad that you are feeling better now, and thanks for the reminder of how bad they actually are.

Rachel and Gavin said...

Oh my heck, i'm so sorry! I actually do know what you are feeling. I had an ear infection not too long ago and swore that I was dying too. It was seriously in-humane what it felt like. I had to go up to Wyoming for a funeral, so I didn't have time to get any meds for it, but luckily I had some percocet left over from my many surgeries, that got me through. All though just one would knock me out cold, I honestly don't know what I would have done without them, it was that bad. So I am soo soo sorry, I wouldn't wish that on anyone!!

Morris Mama said...

So sorry to hear about your saga! I hope that never happens to you again! Saturday was fun! Tabby is still talking about it!

Mandi said...

Oh how my heart aches for you on that one. My gosh Heidi! That sounds miserable. The last time I had an ear infection was when I was like 13 and I lost my hearing in that ear for almost a month. I felt like I was reading a gripping novel as I read your post. Good gracious! I wish that you would have called me. I would have been down to your house in a heartbeat! I am fully convinced that ear pain is almost the worst pain you can experience. I would much rather have a baby than have an ear ache. That's saying something. I don't know if you thought of calling me or not, but next time think of calling me (okay hopefully there isn't a next time), but I will be there!

Unknown said...

That was very discriptive and now you have me in FEAR of an ear infection! Thanks, like I need something else to worry about. No, jk, but I have never had allergies and havent thought much about that either and I think I do now - I feel crappy and IM A BIG BABY.

foreveryoung said...

Oh my gosh, Heidi! I'm so sorry, just reading about it was horrible enough I can not even imagine going through that! Yes, I definately will be more patient when my kids are sick! You definately get kudos for attempting to go to work after your ordeal! Glad you got the good drugs now and are on the road to recovery, poor girl!

Kim said...

I feel your pain girl. Had an ear infection in my 20's and cried like a baby one night...they HURT! I didn't have kids OR vertigo though...you poor thing.

Now may I just say that you've inherited your mothers fabulous gift of narative. I felt like I was right there experiencing the whole thing with you....minus the pain.

The McKnights said...

Hey Heidi! We just went private and I need your e mail so we can invite you! E mail it to mcknights06@gmail.com. Thanks!

Jewelia Eagar said...

holy cow - what a week! Julie, your mom's neighbor told me you weren't feeling well, and i had hoped to come to your blog and see what was going on! i hope you're feeling better and see you on thursday???

Leslie said...

that sounds like a miserable experience that you hopefully will never have again. Glad its over. tatum is so cute . Her bed head is hilarious. Now I know why I like long hair, I have no patience to comb through that!!