I am 17, and had my surgery Nov. 20th. The day of and after were my two easiest days. Of course I was still coming down from my surgery medications (anesthesia, etc). The next three days after that were the worst! Constant war pain, a part of my mouth where my nerve is next to my tongue has not be cauterized (OUCH!) so that is causing severe burning, irritation, and of course: ear pain. I went through my entire bottle of liquid hyrocodone by day 5, and since day 6 was thanksgiving, I definitely could not eat. Day 7 the refills my prescription with Percocet, and that is doing less of a job than the Hydrocodone. The only time I’m in no pain is when I sleep, which is (if I’m lucky) 4 to 5 hours a night, because I have not been able to fall asleep from my meds unless I force myself. I always end up waking up in the middle of the night with the worst of the pain, all from the one spot not cauterized, even saliva burns. The throat and “tonsil” area do not hurt at all! Aside from the swelling the first couple of days, and when my throat is dry. I have so far lost 24 lbs because i cannot eat through the pain. When I do try, it causes the ear pains and burning of the uncauterized area. If that were to have been cauterized, I’m sure my post opp would have went fantastically!!
Hi, I am 17 and currently on day 4 of Tonsillectomy recovery. The most helpful thing for me so far has been shaved ice. the ice machine was $30 and it is soooo worth it. I highly recommend. It helps you stay hydrated while also numbing your throat, jaw, and ears. Blend some watermelon and put on top for flavor/ extra nutrients. Also helpful for me, chicken broth!!
Its been 5 days since my tonsillectomy. The first 2 days I was fine and had hardly any pain at all. Around the 3rd day I started getting more pain in my throat and the 4th day the pain when I swallowed and in my ear was unbearable. I remembered from awhile back when I was in the hospital that they make their own heat compresses. I read a lot that these help but I didn’t have any heating pads. All you do is get a washcloth wet, wring it out, place it in a sandwich bag, heat it in the microwave for 45 sec (be careful when removing as its hot), and then wrap it in a larger dish towel. I then just placed it on my ear or throat and it’s helped so much! For the throat pain I found that chicken broth helps a ton. It loosens up the mucus in the back of the throat and moisturizes the scabs. Almost WVERYTHING I ate or drank caused me horrible pain except the broth. The salt in it helps prevent infection and healing also.
I’m 20 and on day 5 of post opp and the ear pain is horrible. I found just using cotton to lightly plug up my ears has helped. Also I was able to eat somewhat of a normal meal today (taking small bites to avoid discomfort).
My ear pain, behind my ear is so bad. I don’t know what to do. I never new the pain would b this bad all around. I wouldn’t do it again that’s fur sure
Day 10 post op. The ear pain still wakes me & is the worst at night!!! I have been using Chloraseptic max sore throat plus with coating protection, it stops the ear & throat pain for about an hour. Good luck
Thank you so much for mentioning the Vicks. I am on day 8 of recovery and it’s 1AM and my throat only bothers me when I speak, but my ears have been keeping me miserable 24/7. The pain didn’t completely go away, but it is now manageable. I recommend this trick to anyone who’s ears have been giving them pain.
I am on day 6- I was in hospital yesterday with horrendous ear pain. I could cope with the throat if it was only that. I feel like my medication just isn’t working with all of this ear pain. I am going to try the vic now-I really hope it helps! X
Try rubbing Vicks or deep heat behind your ears because that helped for me. It only lasts for about 20 minutes and then the pain comes back slowly but just keep applying it and it will help relive the pain.
I also tried hot showers and baths but it only takes the pain away from maybe 2 minutes and then it’s back. I recommend the Vicks!
I cannot thank you enough! Vicks was a life saver for me! I had the worst ear pain yesterday and it has been the only thing to relieve it and have me 10 HOURS sleep wooo!!
Now my ear pain only kicks in when i swallow, which sucks, but you know what its better than what it was. Hopefully tomorrow will be the day that I return to feeling normal and I am so excited for it! Roll on Day 9!
Omg I am on day 8 and finally my pain is slowing down. I’m off the meds and eating soft foods which is ultimately making my mood waaaay better. Unfortunately my ears are driving me crazy! I had the same ear pain as everyone posting here when my throat was bad, but that seems to have gone as the pain has left… I have, however, had THE WORST pressure in my right ear all day and night and it’s driving me crazy.. It’s like I need to pop my ear but I can’t. Has anyone else experienced this? Could this be due to the adenoidectomy? It’s so so annoying I can’t even breathe without feeling it. Please anyone else that can help… Help!
After spending a year trying the Ayurvedic approach to health, where one balances the body through knowing your body type and then eating accordingly, I have seen some great results. Warm sesame oil is used medicinally in the ear to help alleviate pressure from going on a flight, etc.
I am on day 6 of my post op for tonsillectomy, age 42. My ear(s) started hurting yesterday but today is worse, especially on the right side. Applying drops of warmed sesame oil, warmed in a small pot over another pot containing water is a great way to help your ears!! I didn’t have to think much about what to do, as I have done this before in my ayurvedic treatments prescribed by my ayurvedic doctor. To do this home treatment: warm the oil so that it is a nice warm feeling on your skin. ALWAYS test a drop next to your ear to see if it is too hot. Do not put hot oil in your ear ever, just warmed. The warm oil can be dropped into your ear as you lay on your side with a towel under your head. Have some tissues ready in case the oil drips down your face, as you will feel the ear plug with oil and then top it off until you can feel it begin to drip out. Ahhh! Now that is a calming experience…just lay there for 10 minutes. Put a cotton ball in if you want and then switch sides. When you are done with 10 minutes on the other side, you are ready to let it all out. Do not hold oil in your ear longer, as the oil has already nourished the tissues of the ear. You can do this twice a day, and maybe even three times.
Sesame oil is traditionally used in Ayurveda for it’s warming and healing qualities. For another relaxing and nourishing body experience, rub in sesame oil to your entire body, bottoms of feet and head included, then take a warm/hot shower, no soap, except hair, and then just pat dry. You will feel good. I’ve been doing this also to help my body relax and heal during this post op time. Hope this helps.
5 days post-op here. (21 years old) What’s weird is that I only have pain in my left side. My right side feels completely normal. I think I’m going to try the decongestants because I have a lot of phlegm for some reason and it’s such a pain to swallow and it’s so difficult to spit out. I was hesitant to mix any other medicine with the Norco (hydrocodone mixed with paracetamol) the doctor prescribed me, but it has done SQUAT for the burning pain in my ears and throat. The pain feels like it’s more between my nose and my ears. My mother told me to try the oil in the ear trick but I was paranoid of a nose/throat bleed because the nurse said that I couldn’t even take a hot shower, let alone allow something warm near my ear drum. Now that I see you guys have been experimenting with warm compresses, etc, I’m gonna give the oil trick a go. I guess I should grab some gum too. Thank you guys so much for these tips because eating has been limited to two Popsicles a day, if I can withstand the pain. Mostly, I’ll stop halfway through and try again later because it burns so terribly. I really hope it get better soon.
My 5 year old daughter is now 9 days post op and the ear pain is getting the best of her. For the throat pain, numbing suckers were great but now we are struggling on the ears with just Tylenol as she hates the way the hydrocodone makes her feel. Hang in there!
I just discovered something. I’m having constant ear pain. Covering the ears really helps. I’ve never been a person to wear ear coverings, but it works. I’m wearing those that look like a headband. They make them for men, too. The fleece ones seem to be the best.
Since this has been the worst pain and yet surprisingly easy to remedy for me, I thought I would share my experience, as my treatment has not been mentioned much on different forums I’ve researched. I hope this helps save some folks from the intense ear pain!
I suffered from intense shooting, stabbing ear pains for three years before having my tonsils removed. In hindsight, I wish I would have known about the referred ear pain, because I probably would have realized my ears were hurting due to my tonsils and their cryptic party friends!
On day 3/4 when the first twinge of pain released in my ears, I had a ceiling fan going in the living room. The breeze from it, combined with the pain for swallowing socked me so hard in the ear that I yelped and grabbed my ear! As a child, my mom always put “sweet oil” or mineral oil in our ears when they ached. So, in a desperate hurry, I found mineral oil and a dropper.
You can buy sweet oil at a pharmacy. I found I had to ask them for it and it was behind the counter. Or, you can use mineral oil found in the laxatives section, and I even read one post of using olive oil. The sweet oil comes in a bottle with a medicine dropper, so it is more convenient, however, I was desperate and had two pharmacy techs just give me medicine droppers for free to go with the mineral oil.
The key is you need the oil to be warm so it can soothe the tissue in the ear. DONT heat the oil– heat a small bowl of water and place the jar or small cup of oil down in the water to warm it. Get some cotton balls. Pull off a small piece that will fit in your ear and twist it kind of like a wick to fit down into your ear. Lean your head so you can drop the oil into the ear canal until you can hear/feel that it is full. Move your ear around to loosen any air bubbles. Hold your nose and swallow (if you can tolerate it) to release any excess air in your ear to allow the oil to settle. Push the cotton wick in until it soaks up and expands down in your ear. Cap it off with an additional larger piece of cotton to ward off breezes or air flow. Do this in both ears. When you need to add oil, simply take off the cap cotton, add more warm oil to the wick already in your ear, and the oil will follow it down into your ear! This is my mom’s way of describing what her doctor told her to do years ago during a terrible ear infection.
He reasoning is this, and it only makes sense: the ear tissue is irritated and dry, is being expanded and contracted by the swelling in the throat. When those irritated tissues move from swallowing, ear pressure, air flow, crying, etc., they rub against each other causing agony! Lubricating the tissues with the sweet oil allows them to not only be soothed, but to move freely against one another when you chew, swallow, etc. those nerve endings need relief too!
Of course, after a day or two and after showering, you’ll need to replace your wicks for new ones. But this has been the best thing for me. If I remove one just to listen for even a little while, the intense ear and throat pain returns In a few minutes, especially if the fan is on! This has even soothed the intense pain right after waking up when I sip a drink of too cold water!
I also applied heat packs to my ears and cold packs to my throat, but trust me when I tell you, the oil in my ears has made a HUGE DIFFERENCE! I have been able to eat well for the most part because when I chew, air bubbles aren’t moving in and out of my ears and the tissue isn’t rubbing on itself.
Please try and let me know if this works for you! I think this is a very valuable piece of information, as I have seen SO many people tormented by the ear pain, especially when the scabs start coming off! I welcome any questions, as I am only on day 9 of recovery and still can’t sleep well. I find reading and posting and sharing with others going through this ordeal is more helpful than watching mindless tv all day!
Questions, comments, I am willing to help anyone after how bad I know my ears have felt! Angel
Look at an anatomy book! Placing oil in the ear will not “lubricate anything that would be “rubbing together”! There is a reason this was an OLD home remedy!modern medicine has seen many harmful results from the old warm oil in the ear! It is a breeding ground for bacteria! Especially with a wick that is left in place for days!!! OMG!
I know the pain is severe. I gave my daughter a set of earplugs. Think thatt will ease it some.
Hi, I am on day 9 after a tonsillectomy and have found something that helps -a lot- with my ear pain is to rub pure Lavender essential oil around my ear concentrating more on the bottom half, then rub the oil from the ear down the line of the cheekbone across the face towards the corner of the mouth and again from the ear down the line of the jaw to the chin. No harm in a few drops from the ear down the neck across the throat too.
I find it gets the pain under control very quickly while the pain meds kick in, I am in Australia and am alternating taking Panadeine Forte and Nurofen Plus.
Hope this works for others too, good luck with your recovery.
I’m on Day 10 of a tonsillectomy and sinus surgery (they also used a retractor on me, so my jaw hurts, too). I have taken to wetting and freezing q-tips and put them down my ears. It is a very very intense momentary relief, and it also lifts your spirits (my 3 and 6 year olds thought mommy was a little crazy), but after all that pain, a little levity couldn’t hurt. You can also run the q-tips around the back of your ears and press down against your jaw bone. I also keep a hand full of “teething rings” from when my kids were small in the freezer. They are great for emergencies, and freeze up really quickly. You can keep a few of these on rotation, especially for the back of your ears and jaw. Hope this helps.
I am 40 years old. I had my tonsillectomy on 1/31/14. I have had a rough time with the healing going into my throat. It feels like there are stitches in my throat…if I try to eat…I feel like food gets stuck in that area and then the ear pain begins. Does anyone have any helpful tips about how to help this heal quicker? Has anyone else had th is problem?
this website seems to be the best that ive looked at. i am 14 years old and am on day 4, my ear pain has been the wrost! i find it hurts more than my throat, it hurts the most in the morning and evening. i really hope the gum chewing and heat helps! i have been taking tylenol extra strength and advil every 4 hours and it seems to be helping but not as much as i would like it too, but thank you for this info it was very helpful!
I’m on day 7 after my tonsillectomy and my ear pain started to hit on day 4. It is insanely painful. I couldn’t handle the percocet (throwing up for the 12 hours following surgery disabused me of any thoughts of taking that) so I’m taking motrin and tylenol alternatingly, every 4 hours or so. I’ve been a bit more fortunate than a lot of people in these forums because I’ve been able to eat decent meals for the past couple of days. Yesterday I made salmon and zucchini and it was delicious!! Someone wrote to eat ice cream – don’t do it! Do sorbet instead. Such sweet relief
For my ear ache I’ve been taking my pain meds, obviously, but also a decongestant (with the logic that the pain was coming from fluid buildup). It helps a LOT. I have taken the off-the-shelf decongestants that you can take every 4 hours, but honestly, what helps the most is the behind the counter stuff with pseudoephedrin. Just thought I’d share!
I use ice on the outside of my neck over where it is most painful. Also, DO NOT IRRIGATE THE HOLES IN YOUR THROAT WHERE THE TONSILS WERE. This will increase the ear pain. If food gets stuck, just drink water normally. This will dislodge some of the material and some of it will work out on its own. Sherbert and anything cold will help. Ricola cough drops have helped me and I am 10 days post op.
My ear pain started at 1am this morning. I’m on day 5 after surgery and I’m having the worst time. I took my prescribed pain medication and it didn’t help one bit. I almost passed out from the pain and I was crying so hard until 4am. I finally fell asleep and when I woke up this morning the pain was back so I did what any 23 year old would do, texted my mom haha. She advised me to wrap a towel around my head and use my blowdryer on my ears on medium cause the heat would help the pain and she was right (I didn’t have any heating pads on deck). I’ve been doing that on and off all day as the ear pain starts to get worse but I just saw what you posted about chewing gum. I was hesitant because my tongue is still numb and my teeth have been so sensitive but my teeth adjusted after about 30 seconds and the chewing gum really seems to be helping. Thanks for this website, it’s helped me through this painful time a lot.
Maybe I’m a bit different than your average person, but I have been coping with ear pain by using external ice packs…I put it in the crook of my neck and lean my head on it so it ices both my throat and my ear at the same time. I get such relief from this that I actually can fall asleep for the 20 minutes or so that I’m doing it!
Heat packs definitely help with the ear pain! I’m on day 6 and the worst part for me so far is the ear pain- particularly in the mornings and evenings, I constantly have a heat pack on each ear and it really does help!
Excellent research Greg! I hope you’ve received some awards for this website. Seriously it has been a blessing to me! I just sent my boyfriend to the store for some gum, it feels like I’m on an airplane, my ears hurt bad. What has kept the edge off for me is just sitting up. Especially after drinking or (attempting) to eat anything. The days that I fell asleep laying flat were the worst, I spoke with a nurse who said the acid from my empty stomach went up my esophagus to my wounds, irritating it more, which leads to my ears. Thanks again Greg.
I am 17, and had my surgery Nov. 20th. The day of and after were my two easiest days. Of course I was still coming down from my surgery medications (anesthesia, etc). The next three days after that were the worst! Constant war pain, a part of my mouth where my nerve is next to my tongue has not be cauterized (OUCH!) so that is causing severe burning, irritation, and of course: ear pain. I went through my entire bottle of liquid hyrocodone by day 5, and since day 6 was thanksgiving, I definitely could not eat. Day 7 the refills my prescription with Percocet, and that is doing less of a job than the Hydrocodone. The only time I’m in no pain is when I sleep, which is (if I’m lucky) 4 to 5 hours a night, because I have not been able to fall asleep from my meds unless I force myself. I always end up waking up in the middle of the night with the worst of the pain, all from the one spot not cauterized, even saliva burns. The throat and “tonsil” area do not hurt at all! Aside from the swelling the first couple of days, and when my throat is dry. I have so far lost 24 lbs because i cannot eat through the pain. When I do try, it causes the ear pains and burning of the uncauterized area. If that were to have been cauterized, I’m sure my post opp would have went fantastically!!
Hi, I am 17 and currently on day 4 of Tonsillectomy recovery. The most helpful thing for me so far has been shaved ice. the ice machine was $30 and it is soooo worth it. I highly recommend. It helps you stay hydrated while also numbing your throat, jaw, and ears. Blend some watermelon and put on top for flavor/ extra nutrients. Also helpful for me, chicken broth!!
Its been 5 days since my tonsillectomy. The first 2 days I was fine and had hardly any pain at all. Around the 3rd day I started getting more pain in my throat and the 4th day the pain when I swallowed and in my ear was unbearable. I remembered from awhile back when I was in the hospital that they make their own heat compresses. I read a lot that these help but I didn’t have any heating pads. All you do is get a washcloth wet, wring it out, place it in a sandwich bag, heat it in the microwave for 45 sec (be careful when removing as its hot), and then wrap it in a larger dish towel. I then just placed it on my ear or throat and it’s helped so much! For the throat pain I found that chicken broth helps a ton. It loosens up the mucus in the back of the throat and moisturizes the scabs. Almost WVERYTHING I ate or drank caused me horrible pain except the broth. The salt in it helps prevent infection and healing also.
I’m 20 and on day 5 of post opp and the ear pain is horrible. I found just using cotton to lightly plug up my ears has helped. Also I was able to eat somewhat of a normal meal today (taking small bites to avoid discomfort).
My ear pain, behind my ear is so bad. I don’t know what to do. I never new the pain would b this bad all around. I wouldn’t do it again that’s fur sure
I had surgery Friday it’s now Monday. The ear pain hurts so bad and gum does not help! I can’t wait till it’s all over
Sorry you’re having such a rough time Hannah- Some get relief from using a warm compress- give that a try! Hope you feel better soon
Day 10 post op. The ear pain still wakes me & is the worst at night!!! I have been using Chloraseptic max sore throat plus with coating protection, it stops the ear & throat pain for about an hour. Good luck
Thank you so much for mentioning the Vicks. I am on day 8 of recovery and it’s 1AM and my throat only bothers me when I speak, but my ears have been keeping me miserable 24/7. The pain didn’t completely go away, but it is now manageable. I recommend this trick to anyone who’s ears have been giving them pain.
I am on day 6- I was in hospital yesterday with horrendous ear pain. I could cope with the throat if it was only that. I feel like my medication just isn’t working with all of this ear pain. I am going to try the vic now-I really hope it helps! X
Try rubbing Vicks or deep heat behind your ears because that helped for me. It only lasts for about 20 minutes and then the pain comes back slowly but just keep applying it and it will help relive the pain.
I also tried hot showers and baths but it only takes the pain away from maybe 2 minutes and then it’s back. I recommend the Vicks!
I cannot thank you enough! Vicks was a life saver for me! I had the worst ear pain yesterday and it has been the only thing to relieve it and have me 10 HOURS sleep wooo!!
Now my ear pain only kicks in when i swallow, which sucks, but you know what its better than what it was. Hopefully tomorrow will be the day that I return to feeling normal and I am so excited for it! Roll on Day 9!
Omg I am on day 8 and finally my pain is slowing down. I’m off the meds and eating soft foods which is ultimately making my mood waaaay better. Unfortunately my ears are driving me crazy! I had the same ear pain as everyone posting here when my throat was bad, but that seems to have gone as the pain has left… I have, however, had THE WORST pressure in my right ear all day and night and it’s driving me crazy.. It’s like I need to pop my ear but I can’t. Has anyone else experienced this? Could this be due to the adenoidectomy? It’s so so annoying I can’t even breathe without feeling it. Please anyone else that can help… Help!
i am on day 7 and having severe pain in right ear and jaw…
it is very difficult to swallow anything..
After spending a year trying the Ayurvedic approach to health, where one balances the body through knowing your body type and then eating accordingly, I have seen some great results. Warm sesame oil is used medicinally in the ear to help alleviate pressure from going on a flight, etc.
I am on day 6 of my post op for tonsillectomy, age 42. My ear(s) started hurting yesterday but today is worse, especially on the right side. Applying drops of warmed sesame oil, warmed in a small pot over another pot containing water is a great way to help your ears!! I didn’t have to think much about what to do, as I have done this before in my ayurvedic treatments prescribed by my ayurvedic doctor. To do this home treatment: warm the oil so that it is a nice warm feeling on your skin. ALWAYS test a drop next to your ear to see if it is too hot. Do not put hot oil in your ear ever, just warmed. The warm oil can be dropped into your ear as you lay on your side with a towel under your head. Have some tissues ready in case the oil drips down your face, as you will feel the ear plug with oil and then top it off until you can feel it begin to drip out. Ahhh! Now that is a calming experience…just lay there for 10 minutes. Put a cotton ball in if you want and then switch sides. When you are done with 10 minutes on the other side, you are ready to let it all out. Do not hold oil in your ear longer, as the oil has already nourished the tissues of the ear. You can do this twice a day, and maybe even three times.
Sesame oil is traditionally used in Ayurveda for it’s warming and healing qualities. For another relaxing and nourishing body experience, rub in sesame oil to your entire body, bottoms of feet and head included, then take a warm/hot shower, no soap, except hair, and then just pat dry. You will feel good. I’ve been doing this also to help my body relax and heal during this post op time. Hope this helps.
5 days post-op here. (21 years old) What’s weird is that I only have pain in my left side. My right side feels completely normal. I think I’m going to try the decongestants because I have a lot of phlegm for some reason and it’s such a pain to swallow and it’s so difficult to spit out. I was hesitant to mix any other medicine with the Norco (hydrocodone mixed with paracetamol) the doctor prescribed me, but it has done SQUAT for the burning pain in my ears and throat. The pain feels like it’s more between my nose and my ears. My mother told me to try the oil in the ear trick but I was paranoid of a nose/throat bleed because the nurse said that I couldn’t even take a hot shower, let alone allow something warm near my ear drum. Now that I see you guys have been experimenting with warm compresses, etc, I’m gonna give the oil trick a go. I guess I should grab some gum too. Thank you guys so much for these tips because eating has been limited to two Popsicles a day, if I can withstand the pain. Mostly, I’ll stop halfway through and try again later because it burns so terribly. I really hope it get better soon.
My 5 year old daughter is now 9 days post op and the ear pain is getting the best of her. For the throat pain, numbing suckers were great but now we are struggling on the ears with just Tylenol as she hates the way the hydrocodone makes her feel. Hang in there!
From a 10yr old’s Mom, thank you.
DO NOT GARGLE!!!!!!!!1! I REPEAT DO NOT GARGLE!!!!!! And aplying a cool ice pack to the back of your neck will relieve some of the pain.
I just discovered something. I’m having constant ear pain. Covering the ears really helps. I’ve never been a person to wear ear coverings, but it works. I’m wearing those that look like a headband. They make them for men, too. The fleece ones seem to be the best.
Dealing with post-tonsillectomy EAR PAIN!
Since this has been the worst pain and yet surprisingly easy to remedy for me, I thought I would share my experience, as my treatment has not been mentioned much on different forums I’ve researched. I hope this helps save some folks from the intense ear pain!
I suffered from intense shooting, stabbing ear pains for three years before having my tonsils removed. In hindsight, I wish I would have known about the referred ear pain, because I probably would have realized my ears were hurting due to my tonsils and their cryptic party friends!
On day 3/4 when the first twinge of pain released in my ears, I had a ceiling fan going in the living room. The breeze from it, combined with the pain for swallowing socked me so hard in the ear that I yelped and grabbed my ear! As a child, my mom always put “sweet oil” or mineral oil in our ears when they ached. So, in a desperate hurry, I found mineral oil and a dropper.
You can buy sweet oil at a pharmacy. I found I had to ask them for it and it was behind the counter. Or, you can use mineral oil found in the laxatives section, and I even read one post of using olive oil. The sweet oil comes in a bottle with a medicine dropper, so it is more convenient, however, I was desperate and had two pharmacy techs just give me medicine droppers for free to go with the mineral oil.
The key is you need the oil to be warm so it can soothe the tissue in the ear. DONT heat the oil– heat a small bowl of water and place the jar or small cup of oil down in the water to warm it. Get some cotton balls. Pull off a small piece that will fit in your ear and twist it kind of like a wick to fit down into your ear. Lean your head so you can drop the oil into the ear canal until you can hear/feel that it is full. Move your ear around to loosen any air bubbles. Hold your nose and swallow (if you can tolerate it) to release any excess air in your ear to allow the oil to settle. Push the cotton wick in until it soaks up and expands down in your ear. Cap it off with an additional larger piece of cotton to ward off breezes or air flow. Do this in both ears. When you need to add oil, simply take off the cap cotton, add more warm oil to the wick already in your ear, and the oil will follow it down into your ear! This is my mom’s way of describing what her doctor told her to do years ago during a terrible ear infection.
He reasoning is this, and it only makes sense: the ear tissue is irritated and dry, is being expanded and contracted by the swelling in the throat. When those irritated tissues move from swallowing, ear pressure, air flow, crying, etc., they rub against each other causing agony! Lubricating the tissues with the sweet oil allows them to not only be soothed, but to move freely against one another when you chew, swallow, etc. those nerve endings need relief too!
Of course, after a day or two and after showering, you’ll need to replace your wicks for new ones. But this has been the best thing for me. If I remove one just to listen for even a little while, the intense ear and throat pain returns In a few minutes, especially if the fan is on! This has even soothed the intense pain right after waking up when I sip a drink of too cold water!
I also applied heat packs to my ears and cold packs to my throat, but trust me when I tell you, the oil in my ears has made a HUGE DIFFERENCE! I have been able to eat well for the most part because when I chew, air bubbles aren’t moving in and out of my ears and the tissue isn’t rubbing on itself.
Please try and let me know if this works for you! I think this is a very valuable piece of information, as I have seen SO many people tormented by the ear pain, especially when the scabs start coming off! I welcome any questions, as I am only on day 9 of recovery and still can’t sleep well. I find reading and posting and sharing with others going through this ordeal is more helpful than watching mindless tv all day!
Questions, comments, I am willing to help anyone after how bad I know my ears have felt! Angel
Look at an anatomy book! Placing oil in the ear will not “lubricate anything that would be “rubbing together”! There is a reason this was an OLD home remedy!modern medicine has seen many harmful results from the old warm oil in the ear! It is a breeding ground for bacteria! Especially with a wick that is left in place for days!!! OMG!
I know the pain is severe. I gave my daughter a set of earplugs. Think thatt will ease it some.
I was wondering when I would read about someone using sweet oil! My grandpa is the one who told me to do it and lord already I see a huge difference!!
Hi, I am on day 9 after a tonsillectomy and have found something that helps -a lot- with my ear pain is to rub pure Lavender essential oil around my ear concentrating more on the bottom half, then rub the oil from the ear down the line of the cheekbone across the face towards the corner of the mouth and again from the ear down the line of the jaw to the chin. No harm in a few drops from the ear down the neck across the throat too.
I find it gets the pain under control very quickly while the pain meds kick in, I am in Australia and am alternating taking Panadeine Forte and Nurofen Plus.
Hope this works for others too, good luck with your recovery.
I’m on Day 10 of a tonsillectomy and sinus surgery (they also used a retractor on me, so my jaw hurts, too). I have taken to wetting and freezing q-tips and put them down my ears. It is a very very intense momentary relief, and it also lifts your spirits (my 3 and 6 year olds thought mommy was a little crazy), but after all that pain, a little levity couldn’t hurt. You can also run the q-tips around the back of your ears and press down against your jaw bone. I also keep a hand full of “teething rings” from when my kids were small in the freezer. They are great for emergencies, and freeze up really quickly. You can keep a few of these on rotation, especially for the back of your ears and jaw. Hope this helps.
Wow! These are great little tips Nancy. Thank you! Hope you’re feeling normal again soon.
I am 40 years old. I had my tonsillectomy on 1/31/14. I have had a rough time with the healing going into my throat. It feels like there are stitches in my throat…if I try to eat…I feel like food gets stuck in that area and then the ear pain begins. Does anyone have any helpful tips about how to help this heal quicker? Has anyone else had th is problem?
this website seems to be the best that ive looked at. i am 14 years old and am on day 4, my ear pain has been the wrost! i find it hurts more than my throat, it hurts the most in the morning and evening. i really hope the gum chewing and heat helps! i have been taking tylenol extra strength and advil every 4 hours and it seems to be helping but not as much as i would like it too, but thank you for this info it was very helpful!
I’m on day 7 after my tonsillectomy and my ear pain started to hit on day 4. It is insanely painful. I couldn’t handle the percocet (throwing up for the 12 hours following surgery disabused me of any thoughts of taking that) so I’m taking motrin and tylenol alternatingly, every 4 hours or so. I’ve been a bit more fortunate than a lot of people in these forums because I’ve been able to eat decent meals for the past couple of days. Yesterday I made salmon and zucchini and it was delicious!! Someone wrote to eat ice cream – don’t do it! Do sorbet instead. Such sweet relief
For my ear ache I’ve been taking my pain meds, obviously, but also a decongestant (with the logic that the pain was coming from fluid buildup). It helps a LOT. I have taken the off-the-shelf decongestants that you can take every 4 hours, but honestly, what helps the most is the behind the counter stuff with pseudoephedrin. Just thought I’d share!
I use ice on the outside of my neck over where it is most painful. Also, DO NOT IRRIGATE THE HOLES IN YOUR THROAT WHERE THE TONSILS WERE. This will increase the ear pain. If food gets stuck, just drink water normally. This will dislodge some of the material and some of it will work out on its own. Sherbert and anything cold will help. Ricola cough drops have helped me and I am 10 days post op.
My ear pain started at 1am this morning. I’m on day 5 after surgery and I’m having the worst time. I took my prescribed pain medication and it didn’t help one bit. I almost passed out from the pain and I was crying so hard until 4am. I finally fell asleep and when I woke up this morning the pain was back so I did what any 23 year old would do, texted my mom haha. She advised me to wrap a towel around my head and use my blowdryer on my ears on medium cause the heat would help the pain and she was right (I didn’t have any heating pads on deck). I’ve been doing that on and off all day as the ear pain starts to get worse but I just saw what you posted about chewing gum. I was hesitant because my tongue is still numb and my teeth have been so sensitive but my teeth adjusted after about 30 seconds and the chewing gum really seems to be helping. Thanks for this website, it’s helped me through this painful time a lot.
Maybe I’m a bit different than your average person, but I have been coping with ear pain by using external ice packs…I put it in the crook of my neck and lean my head on it so it ices both my throat and my ear at the same time. I get such relief from this that I actually can fall asleep for the 20 minutes or so that I’m doing it!
Heat packs definitely help with the ear pain! I’m on day 6 and the worst part for me so far is the ear pain- particularly in the mornings and evenings, I constantly have a heat pack on each ear and it really does help!
Thanks Danyelle. Hope you get feeling better soon! I appreciate all of your comments- It’s what brings this site to life- an amazing community!
Excellent research Greg! I hope you’ve received some awards for this website. Seriously it has been a blessing to me! I just sent my boyfriend to the store for some gum, it feels like I’m on an airplane, my ears hurt bad. What has kept the edge off for me is just sitting up. Especially after drinking or (attempting) to eat anything. The days that I fell asleep laying flat were the worst, I spoke with a nurse who said the acid from my empty stomach went up my esophagus to my wounds, irritating it more, which leads to my ears. Thanks again Greg.
oops- meant that to be a reply^^^^^^^