Steph, yes. Call right now, and get an appointment ASAP.

I actually had a 1:30 appointment (to which I have been and am now back); I just tend to second-guess things that start as colds, because I hate to take antibiotics if I don't need them, so if I should just be keeping on with the OTC treatments, I don't want to waste my time or money at the doctor's office.

Anyway. Doctor said I have a sinus infection and a -- this is a direct quote -- horrible ear infection. She said the ear infection looks like it predates the sinus infection by about a month. And she asked me if my ears hurt, and I said yes, but that I assumed it was because my sinuses were all inflamed and pushing on my inner ear from that direction.

She said the reason my teeth hurt is probably because my sinuses are inflamed and creating pressure in one direction (outward-ish) AND my ears are the pit of hell and creating pressure in the other direction (inward-ish), but my poor teeth are between the two.

So I get oral antibiotics, and antibiotic eardrops, and cough medicine. I feel like a little kid with an ear infection.

smonster - I'm sorry you're still dealing with douchebag slumlord dude. I hope it resolves quickly! I'm glad that you can go to friends' places to shower and stuff, but this is crazy.

Yikes, Teppy. Feel better.

Ugh Steph, so glad you saw the doctor. Hope you feel better soon.

The doctor did, for real, look in my ear and say "Oh my god!" I told her that's not something you ever want to hear a doctor say. She apologized and said she just didn't expect such a horrible infection based on my description of sinus/cough/etc.

I was afraid there were tiny Lutherans in my ear nailing a manifesto to a tiny cathedral door.

I was afraid there were tiny Lutherans in my ear nailing a manifesto to a tiny cathedral door.

Ouch! No nails in the ear canal!

Oh Teppy, I'm so glad you saw the doctor!

When we were here househunting, I felt bad over the weekend and kept thinking I'd get better, but by Monday I was running a fever and H tracked down an immediate care place. Horrible sinus infection, bad ear infection, and insipient bronchitis. So I got the good drugs and promptly passed out for two days. Not really meshing with the whole "in town for three days on a househunting blitz" thing. Plus out-of-pocket doctor and meds fees.

Germs, man. They will sandbag you at the absolute worst times. I hope your drugs slay them effectively and quick.

Germs, man. They will sandbag you at the absolute worst times. I hope your drugs slay them effectively and quick.

She wanted me to take oral Cipro for the ear infection*, but I took it in the past and got the scary side effect of tendon problems. So I *really* avoid it as a first-line measure unless I am genuinely going to die (MRSA, anthrax, whathaveyou). So the sinuses get an oral Z-pak, and the ears get Cipro drops, which are apparently not on our shitty new insurance's formulary, so I am nervously awaiting the CVS total.

*(Specifically Cipro because ear infections tend to be Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is very susceptible to Cipro. But I would think that topical drops would be better for the ear infection anyway, versus a systemic oral antibiotic. We'll see. I told her I would consider oral Cipro if the drops don't work.)

And I also get Tessalon Pearls for the cough, woo! (I would have accepted codeine, but I know the Tessalon Pearls work, so that's cool with me. Plus codeine makes me itch, but it sure does stop the cough.)

Glad you got some treatment, Teparoo. I think I might be next on the phoning the doctor.

Also, insent with a quick question.

Teppy, sorry you're feeling so miserable, glad you're getting it taken care of. You might try hot compresses on your face for temporary relief of pain - I find it helps me. And it's amazing (to me) that packed sinuses can make your teeth ache - I once had an appointment for a root canal until we realized it was my sinuses causing the pain.