Wellness

[hick]

I have fluid that comes out of my ears (both) when I'm sleeping.  I thought it was allergies because it seemed to be happening only in the spring.  Then, I moved to a new place and now I have it all the time.

I went to the ENT and she said she had no idea what it was and only had one other patient in her career who had this problem.

She suggested using ear plugs so I wouldn't get water in my ears when showering.  Doesn't help.

It's not painful - just yucky in the morings when my ears feel crusty.

(Sorry, I'm sure that's TMI).

So, just wondering if any of you ever have this problem.

[FranandZoe]

I'd see another doctor.  

https://www.healthline.com/health/ear-discharge#causes

[MKR14]

Absolutely see another doctor. I worked for two different ENT doctors before I retired and they would send you to another specialist if there was a problem they could not solve. Very rarely for them to do so as they were excellent ENTS.

You need to have them send the fluid out to be analyzed!

Last year my niece had been this problem for over a year and her ENT was trying different treatments but never sent it to be analyzed. Thankful she did this.

Hers ran right down her face it was so bad. She ended up with immediate surgery for a leakage that was serious. She works in an Urgent Care Center and they encouraged her to get a second opinion. If I had known about this that is what I would have told her to do also. I spoke to my ENT boss and he told me to tell her to see another specialist now. She lives out of state but listened to me.

All is well with her and “by no means this could be your situation”. This may be rare and she is doing great now.

What I am saying is always get a second opinion if you feel the doctor is not doing enough. Sometimes the right ear drops or antibiotics is all you need but different ones work for different types and needs to be analyzed. 

Let us know how you make out. Probably an easy solution just have to get the right diagnosis for your needs.

[PamfromCT]

I agree that you should go to another ENT.  Sadly, sometimes this is what we have to do.  A good physician will often put you through testing that will make you anxious, but that is their role.  You have to find the source of the problem.  And is so often the case, they start testing for the worse, eliminate that, and work their way down.

I had persistent headaches for a time last winter.  The first ENT I saw was clueless.  Then I saw an ENT who ordered many tests and discovered the root of my problem.  It was an inflamed nerve located in my forehead.  Bingo!  Took some meds to bring swelling down and no problems since.  Best of luck to you!  I am sure your problem will be resolved.

[linda 2]

had the same problem changed foam pillow to hyperallgenic all gone

[IMW]

2nd opinion 

[Mom2Dogs]

Years ago I had a never ending drip of my nose....after complaining to my family doctor he did a test of the fluid to make sure it was not brain fluid...it was not.

I have an eye condition where the rims get clogged and makes my eyes wattery and then my nose runs.

I would have the doctor analyze  the fluid.

[2blonde]

If it's only at night, it could be your pillow.  If it's all the time, it could be something else in your environment causing an allergy.  If you don't also have a runny or stuffy nose, then I wouldn't think allergy.  At any rate, if you can't figure it out on your own, you need to see another doctor, as there are other problems that may need to be addressed.

[Still Raining]

Yes I have it due to extensive nerve damage on the side of neck and head.  Came with the surgery.  Some days the one ear is glued shut when I wake up.

It is somewhere way down the list of concerns since nothing else seems to be amiss other then hearing loss.

[MKR14]

@Mom2Dogs  My niece actually had a brain fluid leak and the doctor had never checked the ear fluid discharge. As I was working at an ENT office the Doctor had advised me to tell my niece to have it checked immediately. I didn’t say what serious problem she had in my original post as it can be rare but it is possible.

Better safe to have fluid analyzed and have it be nothing. 

My niece luckily made out ok with no side affects. I have learned to tell my friends to ask questions and write them down so you do not forget when seeing your doctors.

My nieces was spinal fluid and she is very lucky she got her second opinion.