Plugged

I am not sure how I forgot to include a recap of my doctors appointment on Wednesday afternoon in Thursdays blog entry.  I guess I’ll chalk it up to old age.  Anyway I went to our med clinic with two problems, a very red looking right eye and a right ear that felt plugged despite me hitting it with various ear wax remedies.  The eye problem was not resolved, all she could tell me was it was definitely not pinkeye due to the lack of discharge.  Her best guess was something possibly got in my eye during Sunday’s triathlon that was causing irritation. The eye was given a wait and see treatment plan, hit it with some drops and see if it gets better in a few days.

As far as the ear goes, she confirmed in about 2 seconds that it was plugged with wax, lovely. She called in the cute young girl assistant and told her to get the ear irrigation kit.  The kit is comprised of a spray bottle looking thing with a hose and nozzle attached.  Inside is a solution of 50/50 peroxide and warm water.  She then hands me a kidney bean looking container and tells me to press it against my head, below the wax packed ear.

She then inserts the nozzle in my ear and starts squeezing away.  I have a reflex anxiety reaction when I am inside a doctors office, it is very normal for me to leave an exam room with a very sweaty back.  Well having this solution blasted into my ear felt uncomfortable.  The pressure on my ear drum felt significant and somewhat disorienting.  It didn’t help that before the blasting started the doctor said I should let her know if I feel dizzy.  My perspiration engine seemed to ramp up to incredible levels.  I literally had drips of sweat rolling off my chest and my back felt like someone threw a gallon of water on me.

It did not take long for a huge clump of wax to come rolling out of my ear. As soon as it came out it felt like someone pulled a cork out of my ear shaped bottle. My hearing was suddenly much better. The girl that was administering the irrigation seemed impressed with herself for extracting so much wax.  She showed it to me almost like a proud parent.  I took a quick glance at it but looked away just as quick, joking I should take a picture of it to post on Facebook.  She actually thought I was serious and was holding the tray in position for an ear wax selfie.  I told her I’ll pass on the pic.

After the wax removal the doc pulled out her stethoscope to listed to my lungs both on my sweaty back and chest.  I hoped she didn’t notice that I felt like a fish.

I’m hoping to do more regular ear maintenance so I can avoid duplicating this experience anytime soon.