Cholesteatoma with mastoiditis

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I am waiting to have surgery for a c-toma in my right ear. Now I have

mastoiditis of the right ear and it hurts like heck. I have been taking an

antibiotic along with using antibiotic eardrops and the surgeon is weaning me

off the prednisone...vicodin and percocet have done nothing for my pain...my

right ear kinda sticks out away from my head now and there is inflammation back

there that is sore to the touch. My question is how long does the mastoiditis

stay inflamed and does anyone know any tricks I can use to make the hard knot

like thing behind my ear go away until I can have surgery because its killing

me...it burns when touched...My surgeon has seen it and doesn't seem concerned

but I cannot handle this until October 2010...thanks so much for your help.