Anyone know if there's an OTC ear drop with some kind of topical pain relief thing in it? I checked CVS, and all they've got is homeopathic.

Hil, I would think a sinus med with pain reliever might be a good choice. I love Advil Cold & Sinus.

Hil, I would think a sinus med with pain reliever might be a good choice. I love Advil Cold & Sinus.

I'm already doing that, plus a prescription nasal spray. My doctor gave me prescription eardrops a few weeks ago that helped if I could angle my head the right way to get them to reach my eardrum, but I don't want to overuse them, since they've got antibiotics. I just used some anyway, though, since everything else isn't helping enough. I also sent the doctor a message saying that I've been taking all this stuff for a week and I'm still in a ton of pain.

Timelies all!

Don't know if there's a dress code at my work place, other than for safety reasons.(No sandals or open-toe shoes in the lab, wear a lab coat, no shorts in the lab) Not having to wear a dress or suit every day is one small part of the appeal lab work has for me.

Although if I do end up going to conferences and presenting posters, I guess I'll need more business-y stuff.

Hil, maybe you need something with a steroid to reduce any swelling.

Hil, maybe you need something with a steroid to reduce any swelling.

There's a steroid in the nasal spray, and in the ear drops from a few weeks ago. I'm pretty sure that what I actually need is ear tubes.

I'm just flying by to to check in. Grace is sick and I have a call into the pulmonologist. I too am sick, but I had such a happy class with my AP students today. We read Ron Koertge's poem "First Grade" and had a monster discussion. Too bad I have 50 kids in the class. How the fuck am I going to do this?

Off to grade 50 essays (from my other class). Do not want.

Those are numbers I can't fathom.

Hmm. I've never thought about what fathom means in that context--it's about measuring the depth of, I'd guess.

I have a really weird kind of headache. I will get really hot, start sweating visibly, and my headache will shoot up to an 8 or a 9. For about half an hour. I have spells of that, like 4 or 5 days, and I sweat enough that I have to mop it off my face in air conditioned rooms.

What the *fuck* is that? I can't tie it to a cause.

Ugh Kat, sending ~ma to you and Grace for quick recoveries. 50 essays to grade on day 2? I feel for you.

And ita, I don't think I can help you. Is the heat caused by the increase in pain or vice versa?

ita, not hot flashes? Perimenopause hormones are weird, and I assume they could cause head pain as well as the hot part.