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Warning-sign checks

Fusion of the ear bones: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for difficulty breathing, collapse, severe chest pain, or swelling of the tongue or throat.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing pain, worsening redness, fever, foul-smelling drainage, persistent vomiting, dizziness that is not settling, or hearing that suddenly worsens after starting to improve.

    Seek urgent medical assessment for new weakness or drooping on one side of the face, severe spinning dizziness, or sudden major hearing loss.

    Report them sooner if severe, worsening, or different from the instructions you received.

The article also says

Mild blood-stained drainage, fullness, reduced hearing from packing, and temporary taste changes can occur.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Fusion of the ear bones. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.