Disgusted and uncertain about what to do.......

[Melissa778]

For those of you who aren't aware I have had a NASTY (and that's putting it mildly) sinus infection since Oct/Nov-ish....right after my gamma knife.  I've seen my regualr doc and an ENT and am currently on the SIXTH round of antibiotics and steroids.  My sinus' on my AN side have continually been 100% blocked throughout the last 5-6 months.

Since my surgery last May I have had horrible itching in and around my ear and of course attributed that to the healing process.  I also seem to get alot of waxy build up in that ear and also assumed that was normal given the type of surgery I had.  Last evening my ear was itching unbearably and i was trying to itch the inner part of my ear when I felt something.....I of course figured maybe this was some wax build up and tried to pull it out......when I pulled, I pulled about and inch of cotton/gauze like material out of my ear!!  DISGUSTING!

Ok, so question one......Is this common?  has anyone had this happen?  I am only to assume that this was left behind from my surgery because i certianly don't go shoving things into my ear.

And secondly......I wonder if there is more, and if there is if it is attributing to my sinus blockage and infection?  And how do they find out if there is more???

I'm at a loss for what doctor to call.......

Any words of advice woudl be great........

Melissa

[Cheryl R]

Oh my gosh!     I hope you have saved it.      No, this would not be common!                I would call all your drs.  I doubt there is any more anywhere though but is enough to cause problems.             Keep us posted as am very curious as to what now goes on.                                                           Cheryl R

[Kaybo]

OH Melissa!  Even though that is HORRIBLE - let's hope that this is a SIMPLE solution to all that has been happening!  Maybe if there is more, it will come out as easily.  I will say that I sat here with my mouth open!  No, I'd say that is NOT common!!  Please let us know what you find out...

K

[Melissa778]

Does anyone know if there is any sort of gauze that is ever "supposed" to be left behind or used in packing the surgical area?

Melissa

[kmancini]

I had a piece of gauze put in my hear, but only after I started laking spinal fluid out of my hear.  My doctor put this strip of gauze with some kind of medicine in my ear.  He packed it in there real tight.  He wanted to seal up the leak.  But I knew he did this.  I was awake when he did this. I dont know if this is the same thing.  It was only to stay there for a week and I had to take antibiotics with it.

Karen

[leapyrtwins]

Melissa -

like Kay, I'm shocked 

I never had gauze of anything else in my ear from my AN surgery, but I had retrosigmoid not translab.

I sounds like this gauze is a "left over" from your surgery and while I'm not a doctor, I wouldn't be surprised to hear (no pun intended) that it has something to do with your current problems.  This gauze has been in your ear for a long time.

I would contact the doctor(s) who performed your AN surgery - and like Cheryl suggested, keep that gauze. 

I have heard of cases where docs left sponges inside surgical patients.  In fact, I think ex-sister-in-law was one of them - during her C-section.  In her case I think they had to reopen her and remove it.

Please keep us updated.

Jan

[Cheryl R]

No there is none that should be left behind.       I can't imagine how they would forget it was left in there.      Guaze in surgery is usually counted when used inside you but outside am not sure.   Someone goofed!           I have never heard of one that dissolves on its own.
I am now off to go visit my sister so no computer till tomorrow night so I will be left in suspense with this!
                                                                  Cheryl R

[Melissa778]

I did indeed save the piece of gauze like material.....it almost resembles cotton/muslin??  anyhoo, it's in a baggie for doc to see.  My specialist who performed my surgery is over an hour drive away and not available today.  Not so sure I really WANT to see him right now anyway.  I am seeing my regular GP doc today and I have a follow up visit with an ENT tomorrow in regards to the infection.  So hopefully I will have answers soon.  I'm just so upset and worried that there could potentially be more in there.....and how would they go about finding out whether or not there is?  and then what if there is?  I swear I may have an anxiety attack today!  I couldn't sleep last night.....my ear feels odd today too, slight pain and I have a horrendous headache....which I currently attribute to stress and lack of sleep! :0  And hopefully nothing else!  Thanks for all the responses and support.....I'll keep you posted.

Melissa

[klangel]

yup  melissa that was definitely a goof.  i had translab too and when i went to get my stitches out oops they left a few in! some still in after 4 years causes lots of trouble with the scar but theyre now so far in theyd have to dig into my flesh to get em so in they stay. there are goofs. the leftover gauze is probably the root of the extended sinus thing too. even if your docs are an hour away, you should go there with the gauze asap. there may be more, or even some other goof. dont wait.    kerri

[Jim Scott]

Melissa ~

Oh boy!  Along with everyone else, I'm shocked - and await your next post to see what happens, now.  I'm sure this left-over gauze had some effect on your sinus problems but I'm not a doctor and won't even speculate on exactly what effect.  I kind of doubt there is more of the stuff in your ear canal - but , at this point, who knows?  You clearly require answers and I trust these will be forthcoming, very soon. Fear of the unknown is a very real cause for anxiety so don't be put off by doctors schedules.  You deserve some answers.  Get them.  That is the best way to relieve the stress you're dealing with because of what appears to be a medical mistake.  Here's hoping your next post is a positive one.  You deserve a good day. 

Jim

[CHD63]

This is incredible!  Can only add to what the others have said ..... go to every doctor you have seen since surgery and get some answers/solutions as soon as you can.   Unfortunately sometimes the patient knows more than the doctors!  But, be aggressive on seeking answers on this one!

Clarice

[jazzfunkanne]

am surprised your ent didnt see it , has he ever looked in your AN ear, i had my ent do this the last time i seen him and he said there was nothing to see, he also looked up my nose with a scope , and gave me a nasel spray as i was feeling blocked up for a few months like yourself, he said i had the start of polys and this should stop them from growing , he is a really good ent and sees me every 2 months.

[lori67]

Melissa -

Here's my advice - raise heck with every doctor you've been in contact with since your surgery!  There's no excuse for letting you go on suffering for so long without doing a thorough investigation as to the cause - and a thorough investigation would have turned up a stray piece of gauze left behind!  6 rounds of antibiotics is a lot for your body to deal with and really, if you're not responding to them, obviously you need to try something else.

I'm so amazed right now and angry that you had to go through all this.  I hope this will be the cause of all the issues you've been having and it will be taken care of once and for all.

Good luck and give 'em you-know-what!!!   

Lori

[LADavid]

Melissa, I don't have much to add to what everyone else said but Wow!  With all the ear and nose issues you've had over the last 6 months, how could something like that go un-noticed?  And even when you went through radiology.  That is just inexcusable.  Hopefully this will end your sinus issues.  But sorry you had to go through that.
David

[klangel]

just out of curiosity who were your docs?  they werent by any chance at nyu in manhatten were they?   kerri