Am I about to die?
January 5, 2016 9:28 AM Subscribe
I have a history of frequent ear infections, and am having one right now. When they happen, I get antibiotic drops for the ear(s) and Tylenol 3 for the pain as needed. Normally I don't have any adverse reactions. I used both last night with no reaction. This morning, I put in my ear drops and took some Tylenol 3, and then about an hour later I had a sudden onset of symptoms I have never experienced before.
I don't know if the symptoms are related to the meds at all, or if it was something else. But all of a sudden, like flipping a switch as opposed to being a gradual thing, I got extremely nauseous and spinny, and extremely photophobic. No headache, no other pain, no trouble breathing. I had to go barricade myself inside a dark room and lie on the floor under a pile of blankets to block out the light, and lie perfectly still. I have never had a migraine, but it seemed exactly like how friends have described having a migraine, except minus the headache.
Almost exactly an hour later, all of those symptoms went away. Just like the onset, when it stopped it was very abrupt. One breath I was spinny and couldn't bear any light, the next breath I felt fine.
I know you are not my doctor. But is this the kind of thing where I need to sprint to the emergency room because I am dying, or was it just a weird reaction? I am feeling kind of paranoid right now...
I don't know if the symptoms are related to the meds at all, or if it was something else. But all of a sudden, like flipping a switch as opposed to being a gradual thing, I got extremely nauseous and spinny, and extremely photophobic. No headache, no other pain, no trouble breathing. I had to go barricade myself inside a dark room and lie on the floor under a pile of blankets to block out the light, and lie perfectly still. I have never had a migraine, but it seemed exactly like how friends have described having a migraine, except minus the headache.
Almost exactly an hour later, all of those symptoms went away. Just like the onset, when it stopped it was very abrupt. One breath I was spinny and couldn't bear any light, the next breath I felt fine.
I know you are not my doctor. But is this the kind of thing where I need to sprint to the emergency room because I am dying, or was it just a weird reaction? I am feeling kind of paranoid right now...
Is it positional? Like, does the spinny-nauseous feeling happen when you're in one position more than another? If so, it could be benign positional vertigo, which can be triggered/exacerbated by infections. It's super-annoying, but not harmful. I get it sometimes. It wouldn't explain the photophobia though (although I get a bunch of sort of "general hangover" symptoms with my vertigo - maybe just by association).
Or it could indeed be migraine.
I think this is more of a "next day sick visit"/urgent care problem than an emergency room problem, unless it gets worse. The first time I had BPPV I went to the doctor and she helped me through the Epley maneuver, which fixed it immediately. Now I do exercises at home when it recurs.
posted by mskyle at 9:33 AM on January 5, 2016
Or it could indeed be migraine.
I think this is more of a "next day sick visit"/urgent care problem than an emergency room problem, unless it gets worse. The first time I had BPPV I went to the doctor and she helped me through the Epley maneuver, which fixed it immediately. Now I do exercises at home when it recurs.
posted by mskyle at 9:33 AM on January 5, 2016
Response by poster: Were the current doses of drugs prescribed for THIS ear infection, or were they left over from other infections.
New dose, picked up fresh from the pharmacy yesterday afternoon.
posted by Lokheed at 9:33 AM on January 5, 2016
New dose, picked up fresh from the pharmacy yesterday afternoon.
posted by Lokheed at 9:33 AM on January 5, 2016
The spinny/nauseous feeling sounds like vertigo, which could definitely come from an ear infection. It feels so awful!
posted by cecic at 9:34 AM on January 5, 2016
posted by cecic at 9:34 AM on January 5, 2016
Best answer: When you go to your GP - and not "if" - either get somebody to drive you there or spring for a cab.
posted by mhoye at 9:36 AM on January 5, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by mhoye at 9:36 AM on January 5, 2016 [6 favorites]
Can you go to an urgent care? It sounds like vertigo brought on by the ear infection. But we aren't doctors, so maybe get seen at a clinic at least. I doubt you need to go to the ER, especially if you feel okay now.
posted by argylesockpet at 9:38 AM on January 5, 2016
posted by argylesockpet at 9:38 AM on January 5, 2016
Coming back to say: when I have vertigo, I tend to get the spins if I tip my head very far to the left side - as one might do while putting in ear drops in the right ear.
posted by mskyle at 9:40 AM on January 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by mskyle at 9:40 AM on January 5, 2016 [2 favorites]
I've had this when I've had ear infections, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't go see a doctor. Mine was diagnosed as vertigo, with the swelling of the infection pressing against the eardrum. I have chronic migraine and this definitely isn't a migraine for me.
As always, go see a doctor when a sudden symptom appears that is out of the ordinary for you.
posted by cooker girl at 9:46 AM on January 5, 2016
As always, go see a doctor when a sudden symptom appears that is out of the ordinary for you.
posted by cooker girl at 9:46 AM on January 5, 2016
I have no idea if this is what you experienced, but there's definitely such a thing as migraine without pain.
posted by thetortoise at 9:51 AM on January 5, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by thetortoise at 9:51 AM on January 5, 2016 [5 favorites]
Your ear infection may have migrated to the middle or inner ear (where balance happens). Not a doctor. Consult yours...
posted by amtho at 9:58 AM on January 5, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by amtho at 9:58 AM on January 5, 2016 [3 favorites]
This happened to me once (sudden onset of extremely intense vertigo/dizziness/trouble standing, no pain, but with some puking just for fun!) and yep, it was an inner ear infection. Mine was viral, but a doctor was able to give me some meds to help with the nausea spells while I waited for it to clear up.
No need for an ER, but hie thee to urgent care!
posted by superfluousm at 10:00 AM on January 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
No need for an ER, but hie thee to urgent care!
posted by superfluousm at 10:00 AM on January 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Chronic Ear Infection person here:
Were the ear drops COLD? And did the vertigo effect happen immediately after? If you put cold fluid into your ear, it can cause the most BANANAS spinning/vertigo effect. Try to warm the drops up in your hands or under your armpit before administering.
posted by Dressed to Kill at 10:01 AM on January 5, 2016 [5 favorites]
Were the ear drops COLD? And did the vertigo effect happen immediately after? If you put cold fluid into your ear, it can cause the most BANANAS spinning/vertigo effect. Try to warm the drops up in your hands or under your armpit before administering.
posted by Dressed to Kill at 10:01 AM on January 5, 2016 [5 favorites]
As someone who gets migraines but is lucky enough to get them without the pain, all your symptoms do sound very much like what I get. Having said that they don't come on suddenly and I've also had vertigo from an ear infection which also similar to what you have, the plumbing around your ears & sinuses pass close to the optic nerve in places and can press on it causing problems like photophobia too (this is what they thought I had at first with my migraines). Go see your doctor or get to urgent care.
posted by wwax at 10:04 AM on January 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by wwax at 10:04 AM on January 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Seconding that you should try to get a ride or take a cab or transit to the Urgent Care, please! Even if you're feeling great right now the head movements involved in driving could trigger another vertigo episode and then you'd be well and truly in a pickle.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:11 AM on January 5, 2016
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:11 AM on January 5, 2016
Vestibular migraines are definitely a thing, iirc they can cause vertigo.
posted by poffin boffin at 10:15 AM on January 5, 2016
posted by poffin boffin at 10:15 AM on January 5, 2016
Cold ear drops could do it. You might consider a referral to an ENT if you're getting regular infections - might be something more going on that's more constant.
posted by leslies at 10:43 AM on January 5, 2016
posted by leslies at 10:43 AM on January 5, 2016
Response by poster: Following up: An hour later, I am still alive. I still feel largely better, but definitely do not feel safe to drive. I have an existing appointment with my ENT, but not today.
posted by Lokheed at 10:54 AM on January 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Lokheed at 10:54 AM on January 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Dressed to Kill may have it. There is a thing called the caloric reflex that is stimulated by putting cold water in the ear. It stimulates the vestibular system and causes feelings of vertigo. But do call your doctor and see what they recommend.
posted by goggie at 10:55 AM on January 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by goggie at 10:55 AM on January 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm an audiologist but not yours etc.
This sounds more like a migraine. Generally an ear infection will not cause vertigo. An ear infection generally causes fluid in the middle ear space, which is completely isolated from the vestibular labyrinth where vertigo originates.
I agree that a caloric response is possible, as middle ear fluid can cause abnormal cooling of the middle ear. However, a caloric response will be reduced by light and will get worse in the dark due to something called VOR suppression, So I think a caloric response is actually unlikely.
It is possible for an ear infection to cause vertigo if you have an exacerbating issue, like a fistula, which is extremely rare.
Your symptoms sound most like a migraine to me. The length of the episode combined with the light sensitivity and absent any other flu like symptoms suggest an issue not with the inner ear at all, but with a central mechanism.
In any case, if it's better, it's unlikely an exact cause can be identified. Most vertigo is very hard to find a direct cause for. Go to an ENT if it happens again, but at this point there's probably not much to be done.
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:58 PM on January 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
This sounds more like a migraine. Generally an ear infection will not cause vertigo. An ear infection generally causes fluid in the middle ear space, which is completely isolated from the vestibular labyrinth where vertigo originates.
I agree that a caloric response is possible, as middle ear fluid can cause abnormal cooling of the middle ear. However, a caloric response will be reduced by light and will get worse in the dark due to something called VOR suppression, So I think a caloric response is actually unlikely.
It is possible for an ear infection to cause vertigo if you have an exacerbating issue, like a fistula, which is extremely rare.
Your symptoms sound most like a migraine to me. The length of the episode combined with the light sensitivity and absent any other flu like symptoms suggest an issue not with the inner ear at all, but with a central mechanism.
In any case, if it's better, it's unlikely an exact cause can be identified. Most vertigo is very hard to find a direct cause for. Go to an ENT if it happens again, but at this point there's probably not much to be done.
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:58 PM on January 5, 2016 [1 favorite]
Vertigo would be an unlikely medication side effect.
Whether to seek care or not really depends on how you feel. Anything that's bothering you enough that you can't do your normal daily activities is worth seeking care for. Over the counter medications such as Dramamine and meclizine can help with the symptoms of vertigo. In rare situations, vertigo can come from your brain (central) instead of peripheral (from your ears), although in a situation with an ongoing ear issue that certainly suggests a peripheral problem. This is one of several reasons why a medical evaluation would be useful.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 4:56 PM on January 5, 2016
Whether to seek care or not really depends on how you feel. Anything that's bothering you enough that you can't do your normal daily activities is worth seeking care for. Over the counter medications such as Dramamine and meclizine can help with the symptoms of vertigo. In rare situations, vertigo can come from your brain (central) instead of peripheral (from your ears), although in a situation with an ongoing ear issue that certainly suggests a peripheral problem. This is one of several reasons why a medical evaluation would be useful.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 4:56 PM on January 5, 2016
I often get migraines without ANY headache at all, so it does happen. The light sensitivity and nausea (I also get mild vertigo, though not that bad), and the fact that it suddenly lifted all sound right.
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 5:05 PM on January 5, 2016
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 5:05 PM on January 5, 2016
Response by poster: Follow Up Next Day: I felt off all day yesterday, but never again as severe as that one hour. I have an appointment with my ENT, and an appointment with my general doc. My ear infection is improving after a good night's sleep. I am still doing the antibiotic drops, but don't need the T3 anymore. I hope to never again experience what happened yesterday, because it was awful. I used to have an abstract sort of sympathy for my friends with migraines. Now that sympathy is very, very concrete.
Thank you all for your advice and comments.
posted by Lokheed at 7:00 AM on January 6, 2016
Thank you all for your advice and comments.
posted by Lokheed at 7:00 AM on January 6, 2016
I also get migraines without headaches, although more recently. You may also have other types of sensitivity (for example, the bathroom you just went to an hour ago now smells strongly of urine, or words are a little blurry when they weren't a while ago).
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 7:44 AM on January 6, 2016
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 7:44 AM on January 6, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
Were the current doses of drugs prescribed for THIS ear infection, or were they left over from other infections. If so, you know that you're supposed to use up all of your doses and get new ones for any new ear infections.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:32 AM on January 5, 2016