problems with ears

[phillybama]

Okay, I am in my final weeks, so I know I am bound to be miserable. I had a pretty good pregnancy up until this last month. Now, I feel like I am falling apart.

I have had swelling in my feet and hands, along with really bad carpal tunnel. I have also been really congested. I have my BP checked every week, so preeclampsia had been ruled out. My new complaint is I have a horrible ear ache and sore throat. As a child, I had multiple ear infections, but haven't had any other issues with my ears since I was around 10.

I guess my question is do I really have an ear infection, or is it just another symptom stemming from all the swelling and congestion?
Anyone had this issue?

I am sure it will go away after delivery, but if I go late, that could be 2 1/2 more weeks and I am not sure I can deal with this that long.

I just want to know what I should be taking or doing for this. I have tried the neti pot, steam, hot tea with honey and ginger. I have even broken down and had DH buy me Sudafed and cough drops today. I am so ready to have this baby!!!!!

BTW, it seems get worse when I sleep or lie down, which means I haven't been sleeping for the past few nights. I mean, I can't even take a nap without pain. Help!

I do plan on calling my doctor tomorrow to see what she says. My DH just asked if maybe this is pregnancy-related and not just coincidence. Thoughts?

[Writerbird]

I don't know what might be causing it, but when I was a kid and had an ear infection, my mom would fix me a hot water bottle and wrap it in a towel. I'd go to bed using it as a pillow on the bad side, and it helped a lot.

It COULD be sinus pressure forcing any fluid into your ears, but you'd need a doctor to verify that.

[the elyse]

chiro! i get my ears and neck adjusted when i start to feel congested...works wonders. i don't know if you eat/drink dairy, but that will increase the congestion. hth..

[anj7]

My right ear has been plugged up for 9 weeks now and it's ringing. I don't feel pain from it (other than the PITA that it is), sometimes I feel a bit of pressure. I can't hear through it, it only affected my balance for the first 2 days.

I've had 5 doctors look into my ear, there is nothing blocking it (ie no wax build up). They all said that my Eustachian Tube is swollen and that it's not uncommon in pg women (due to retaining fluids) and it will go away, if not before baby is born definitely afterwards.

The second Dr. I saw gave me some antibiotics for 10 days to see if it possibly was an infection. Nothing changed at all with taking the antibiotics, but again I had no pain (so I knew it wasn't infected).

[zulupetalz]

From what I know, it isn't uncommon to experience this. If it is that bad, though, and you have a history of ear infections, I would have your provider take a look to make sure it isn't infected. The Chiro appt is a good suggestion, too. I hope you feel better.