The internet is horrible sometimes.

[synaesthesia]

Don't read on if you're particularly squeamish!

I've been between 50% and 100% deaf in my right ear for the last year. Docs have put me on oral and aural antibiotics to no effect so finally referred me to a specialist today. Turns out there's a particularly large hole (more than a perforation) in my eardrum and substantial damage to the surrounding area, meaning I need a CT scan and a 4 hour operation to rebuild that area of the ear.

I hate hospitals and I'm really not looking forward to this, although having it done in a private hospital has put me at ease a little bit. However, I've always researched ANYTHING that goes near me online. Drugs, antibiotic drops, wisdom teeth removal etc, I've always had a google around to see what's in them or what's involved.

1. There is NOTHING sacred on the Internet any more. There is NOTHING you will not find.
2. Not content with just one or two videos of various procedures from ear wax and tick removal all the way up to rebuilds and grafts, there's THOUSANDS of them. A few DIY videos (just earwax thankfully!) and a buttload of doctors with nothing better to do than stick cameras in patients ears and post them on the Internet.
3. I really hope I'm not this way inclined when I have my first prostate check....

[witch]

Well good luck and I hope it goes very well, but why on earth has it taken the doctor a whole year to decide you have a bigger problem? TBH I'm surprised that a doctor didnt notice the perforation if it is that big. My daughter has an ear problem and it was the doctor looking in her ears that started her referral to an ENT man

[beeswax]

3. I really hope I'm not this way inclined when I have my first prostate check....

Don't worry about this as there is no physical discomfort, it's all mental. Now a biopsy on the other hand...but you don't want to get to that stage, so have your check up when the time comes. And remember what your mother always said, "Wear clean underpants"

[X-13]

At least you were searching for something that, while [word I can't think of... disturbing?], actually makes sense.

Go to a torrent searching website. Type in the most offensive/obscure fetish you can think of.

You WILL find at least one result.


Also, read "cupcakes" and weep for humanity.

[synaesthesia]

Yes, been there, done that
I'm not worried about pain or anything like that, I'm just naturally curious. And with the power of the Internet, that's not always a good thing
Yeah, I'm rather annoyed it took them a year. There must have been about 7 different GP checks on my ear, and each and every time "I can't see any perforation of the drum, attic is clear - here's some more drops"
The ENT specialist had to use a different tool to see properly but said the eardrum isn't perforated - part of it is actually missing as if it was never there. I can just be grateful my GP may not know what to look for but did eventually give up on a referral!

[Oaktech]

my girlfriend is a frustrated medical genius (she's a highly qualified first aider, but thats as far as it goes) and quite often watches stuff like that... odd. just plain odd.

[X-13]

my girlfriend is a frustrated medical genius (she's a highly qualified first aider, but thats as far as it goes) and quite often watches stuff like that... odd. just plain odd.

Be wary if she ever says "Hey Oaktech... Come here, I want to try something."

[Oaktech]

yeah, see i'm a trusting soul, and i had a little medical problem that my doctor wouldn't take seriously. Without going into too much detail she sorted it out quite nicely with some squeezing, some saline irrigation and some disinfectant and now it's fine!










(for those of a less sensitive disposition it was infected hair follicle on my chest that had got really big and uncomfortable.)

[aerospacemango]

Yes, been there, done that
I'm not worried about pain or anything like that, I'm just naturally curious. And with the power of the Internet, that's not always a good thing
Yeah, I'm rather annoyed it took them a year. There must have been about 7 different GP checks on my ear, and each and every time "I can't see any perforation of the drum, attic is clear - here's some more drops"
The ENT specialist had to use a different tool to see properly but said the eardrum isn't perforated - part of it is actually missing as if it was never there. I can just be grateful my GP may not know what to look for but did eventually give up on a referral!

Jeez, mate...that's awful. Glad you're getting it sorted though, and perhaps you can pull back a bit on your curious nature, when it comes to the prostate exam?

By the way, which surgery was it? Want to know which one to avoid

[rad]

I am 100% deaf in my left ear, have been since birth and can get through life ok. Hard part is, I can't socialise in busy environments, pubs/clubs dont interest me as I can't hear all the time. I had the best conversation with someone like you who was partially deaf/nearly deaf at times last year, we sailed together and got on really well once we both knew.

If you have to ask people to repeat things, its worth telling them you have a hearing issue. Never bothered me as I have been brought up with it. PM me if you want to.