Why an ear infection?

[ScottinSoCal]

OK, first off, I hardly ever get sick. Once every couple of years, tops, and then it'll stick around for a day or so and I'll be fine. And until I quit smoking the first time, I'd never had an ear infection in my life. But every time I stop smoking (four times), I get one. Normally it starts with a sore throat (understandable, because of the sinus draining) and then it turns into an ear infection. This time, with vaping, I got no sore throat, and the ear infection doesn't hurt, it's just the canal that goes into my throat is plugged up and it's affecting my hearing.

I know it'll go away in a few days, they always have, but why does this happen every time I quit smoking? Does it throw my immune system for a loop, or what?

 

[Hotwire]

Vaping gives me a pounding in the eardum and cattarh.

Could be I got an infection non related and the increased heartrate from vaping nicotine just accentuates the symptoms. Or could be the e juice.

Could be an allergic reaction to something in the e juice.

Not sure which.

Am going vape free this weekend to see if it calms down.

If not, off to the doc's.

 

[ScottinSoCal]

Well, my ear infection hasn't gone away, and looking at the date on this post I guess I'll make an appointment to see the doctor. It doesn't hurt, it's just plugged up and I can't hear very well out of my left ear. My right ear is fine.

 

[Valentine Michael Smith]

In a roundabout way this does make some sense.

The sinus', throat, and ears are all connected to each other in terms of function. I know this because I had tubes put into my ears on my first birthday and have had chronic ear problems my whole life (I have lost about 15% hearing in my right ear).

There are many Doctors that are "ear, nose, and throat" specialists. I would recommend you see one ASAP just due to the duration of your symptoms. A blown out ear drum is not fun. I have had 5+ and one was permanently ruptured until I had surgery.

Scott, please to do not play around with this one. This sounds to me like classic symptoms of a bacterial infections as opposed to a viral infection. One trip to a specialist and they can evac your ear with warm water, blow some powder in there, and you will be able to hear instantly. This will most likely be very painful, but not doing it will be more painful.

Hope you get well soon,
VMS

 

[ScottinSoCal]

I've made an appointment on Friday to see my doctor. That was the earliest both of us had available. He was excited - I don't call him much.

 

[Vagablonde]

I've made an appointment on Friday to see my doctor. That was the earliest both of us had available. He was excited - I don't call him much.

Probably good you have an appt
this isn't ecig related exactly,but allergy related..I have allergies so badly that it affects my left ear in particular
its a build up of junk in the system..I find taking mucinex can help with this

 

[afrazier5]

I had the exact same problem with mine during the first week or so after quitting. It's perfect now though. I happened to be at my doc for an appointment with my daughter and mentioned it to him. What he told me is that after you quit, all the little hairs and nerves regrow and become very sensitive and tend to catch ear wax and debris. He said it was perfectly normal but if it continued another week, to come back. But alas, I'm great now!

 

[cappadoc]

Sucking increases the risk of ear infections. That's why it's more common in kids who use pacifiers.

 

[Beez]

My doc told me to cut down on smoking because they cause ear infections (and I was getting them far too often). Maybe unrelated to vaping?

Afrazier5 - interesting info

 

[ScottinSoCal]

My old doctor is gone, and the new doctor says there's no sign of infection and recommended an antihistamine for a month, to see if it clears up. If not, then we'll try antibiotics. Works for me.

And then we talked about my ProVari. Turns out she'd bought her husband an e-cig from a mall kiosk and - surprise! - it wasn't working for him, and he still wanted to smoke. She said he'd like the looks and asked lots of questions about how it works and why I'd chosen that particular one. I think she's going to order one.

 

[firechick]

Glad it's not serious, Scott. Good deal with the Doctor's attitude on vaping, too!