kfeusse Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 we just got back from a trip to Ft. Collins, CO. (we live in Nebraska) and the whole time we were there (about 5 days) my son complained of pain in his ears. He never had a fever or other symptoms and it never stopped him from normal activities. The pain was on the inside of his ear, and it hurt when you touched his ear. We came home yesterday. Last night he woke up in the middle of the night in major pain. Gave him a Motrin and had him sleep in the recliner to keep his head elevated. (because he said it hurt worse when he laid down). When he woke up this morning he said the pain was gone. But now, he said it is beginning to hurt again. Can this still be from the altitude change or something different? Should I give him another Motrin before bed tonight? or do something different? thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Going down you should be able to resolve ear issues by holding your nose and blowing. Going up is not as straightforward. Another thing to try would be something like Sudafed. I'd take him to the doctor if it doesn't resolve within a week or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Possibly related to your trip, but possibly he has an ear infection and the trip exacerbated that. Ft. Collins is very low altitude. About 4982 feet ASL. I think Civil Turbojet aircraft are pressurized to approximately 7000 feet elevation? We live in a valley at about 3000 feet ASL. When we go to Bogota, about 8600 feet ASL, we take it easy, but there are no ear issues. If your son had a cold, before or during the trip, the increased altitude may have caused this issue. If he still has pain on Monday I suggest you take him to your ENT M.D. Question: What is the elevation where you live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Sounds like an ear infection. I would give a decongestant and ibuprofen until you can see a doc. While change in altitude can exacerbate the pressure, Ft Collins to Nebraska is not a huge change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 I didn't mention that my other son had the same issue and his ears feel fine now...and while we were in Colorado, the son who has pain now, had pain in his other ear....and now he doesn't. Also, wouldn't an infection hurt all the time...and not come and go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 Our altitude is 1,795. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Sure ear infection pain can come and go. But I'd start with a decongestant to let the pressure escape. Congestion of some kind is the source of pain. Allergies, perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 Can it switch ears? My boys haven't had ear infections for over 10 years...so I am sure I have forgotten such things as well as infections in little kids might be different than big kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 (edited) He does have allergies and is on zyrtec...but the pain didn't start until we were in Colorado. Edited August 1, 2016 by NEprairiemom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Have you tried Valsalva? (Forcing the ears to pop by holding your nose and closing your mouth then forcefully exhaling through the nose) if you have with no relief or increased pain I'd head for the doctor ... perhaps some swimmers ear or something like that? Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 And I definitely think the pressure changes from going to a higher altitude could be at play. I live at over 6000 ft and I see all kinds of altitude reactions from visitors! I even got altitude sickness myself once after returning from a long vacation at sea level. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Have they been swimming? Pain when you touch it can be swimmer's ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 Does swimmers ear pain come and go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 (edited) I didn't mention that my other son had the same issue and his ears feel fine now...and while we were in Colorado, the son who has pain now, had pain in his other ear....and now he doesn't. Also, wouldn't an infection hurt all the time...and not come and go? Funny you should ask. :) I have an ear infection right now, first that I can recall, ever. The pain comes and goes. But, oh wow, when it hurts - yowsers! I'm on round two of abx. Ugh. Edited August 1, 2016 by Spryte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Our altitude is 1,795. Ft. Collins is only about 3000 feet higher. Very little difference in elevation. I think your DS has an Ear Infection that was exacerbated by the slight increase in elevation. Does he have a Head Cold or Flu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted August 1, 2016 Author Share Posted August 1, 2016 I am not arguing with you...but then why did my other son have the same issue....and now doesn't? It just seems weird is all. He doesn't have any congestion or head cold. If he isn't any better today, I will call the doctor. I did give him a motrin last night before bed...and he is still sleeping. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Could he have been exposed to another allergen in Colorado? What about air vent from the car blowing on his ear? I get frequent ear pain, some of it is allergy related and Benadryl helps. I also swear if I'm in the car too long and forget to adjust the AC vent away from directly at my ear, I end up with ear pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I am not arguing with you...but then why did my other son have the same issue....and now doesn't? It just seems weird is all. He doesn't have any congestion or head cold. If he isn't any better today, I will call the doctor. I did give him a motrin last night before bed...and he is still sleeping. Do you think your other son may have had an ear infection, too? Maybe his body fought it off. I have no idea, but hope your son feels better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 It sounds like swimmers ear based on external ear pain. I would take him in to be seen. It shouldn't come and go, but pain to the outer ear is the classic sign of swimmer's ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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