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ETD for 10 months now : (

Posted , 5 users are following.

marmax
marmax

Hi folks, sorry if this post is too long, I just like to try and be detailed. If I don't get any replies that is ok, I knowthis may be TOO long. I've been suffering with a blocked ear/pressure in ear for 10 months now, it started when i fell ill with a stubborn chest and ear infection which lasted for several weeks and required two antibiotics and prescription ear drops to get rid of. While that cleared the blocked ear/pressure in ear remained.

In January 2015 I saw an ENT specialist in Dublin who said I needed to have a tympanometry test carried out and if that was clear, CT scans or MRI's would be required as the next logical step. I had a tympanometry test in Jan/Feb 2015, all clear, again last week, all clear. I do have very, very slight hearing loss (I also suffer from tinnitus and have for 4 or 5 years now) I'm in Ireland, our public health system is TERRIBLE.

Last week (late August 2015) I finally was seen by an ENT consultant at a local hospital, a terrible consultation. She did make a diagnosis of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. She did do a nasoendoscopy and said it was clear. She refused to do ANY diagnostics such as xray, CT scan or MRI. Telling me I had a clear CT scan in 2011 (now my codition only started in 2014!) and that she didn't want to expose me to radiation (sweet jeses, how can you find a potential cause of ETD without doing scans?) 

She refused to insert a grommet (pressure equalisation tube) but didn't really explain why other than they were usually for kids - true, though not exclusively. As the consult ended I pressed the issue again and mentioned a myringotomy (where a tiny incision is made in the ear drum), she said, yes, it would help but would close up again in a few days. In fact her exact word was it would make me feel "great"....but, she wouldn't do it? Weird to say the least. If a grommet is inserted in the incision that can provide relief for 6 to 12 months and can, hopefully, fix the ETD problem. So even though it would be "great" (her word) for me....nope, won't do it. Does that sound insane to you because it sounds insane to me? Instead she suggested, stop smoking, chew gum, use nasal rinses (I have), hold my nose and blow (I do) and don't sniff to clear my ear as that creates a "negative pressure", I also have some type of post-nasal drip/rhinnitis and was on Nasofan for years and for the last year or so Dymista (doesn't seem to help much) When I hold my nose and blow it doesn't actually seem to pop my ear, to clear it I have to then actually inhale air up my right nostril and out again? I don't know what's going on there.  

Anyway, I was waiting 19/20 months to see an ENT consultant on our public system (having originally been referred in Jan 2014 over a different issue) 19 months! I am seeing my GP tomorrow, later today actually, and hope to get some opinions/ideas from her, though maybe not. She suspected months ago that it was a sinus issue which was causing my ear issue but refused to prescribe antibiotics and refused to refer me for even an xray! *what can ya do!* I do have the option to use what is an EU directive called the Crossborder Helathcare Directive, this allows any EU national the right to seek medical treatment in any other EU country. Our antional health authority here hate people using it and try to be as unhelpful as possible about it. So get a referral from any Irish based GP or specilaist/consultant for a clinic or hospital overseas, I pay the clinic directly and in turn I claim back the amount paid when I return to Ireland (up to the maximum which our helath authority would have paid the Irish hospital to treat me) Has anyone ever heard of this Directive, or used it? What do you make of the ENT consultant I saw? I think it is unbelieveable and I am pretty annoyed. Thanks.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • sesamegirl
    sesamegirl marmax

    Posted

    Dear marmax,

    I also suffered from block eustachian tube for 1 year. I began with a heavy sinusitis and a cold. Bacteria entered into my ears and I got an otitis then. After taking 2 rounds of anti biotics, my pressure in the ears gone but remain eustachian block till now.

    This dreadful disease suppress me from normal breathing, and I always feel bubbles in my eustachian tube. The blockage feeling drives me crazy. I went to taiwai for doing the balloon dilation surgery. However, very unlucky , I got an eczema at that time so my surgery only can suspend. I was very regret that I did not do the surgery earlier and let this dreadful disease harm my body for so such a long time .

    If your country has no such surgery, you can seek help from other country such German, north Europe, Taiwai and US .

    • marmax
      marmax sesamegirl

      Posted

      Thanks, Sesamegirl. Consultant told me I don't have any liquid in my ear, no, "otitis media". Tympanometry tests were clear. But there is a "pressure" of some sort. I am going to look into what can be done but I think before any surgery, non-invasive tests such as CT scans and MRI's will need to be carried out. The ENT specialist I saw in Dublin last January told me, worst case scenario, there could be a problem with one of the three little bones in my middle ear but of course you need to scans to determine that. But the consultant I saw last week, refuses to carry out any scans. Crazy situation to be in. But I won't give up and just accept it, if I have to go abroad to try and gets scans and proper consults and any surgery, then I will try to do that!

      Did you have that surgery once your eczema cleared up? Thanks.

  • margaret53068
    margaret53068 marmax

    Posted

    At least you went for tests my doctor told me nothing we can do sorry
    • sesamegirl
      sesamegirl margaret53068

      Posted

      Then see another doctor. I saw so many doctors in HK and no one knew there is a new technology called balloon dilation of eustachian tube. I searched on Internet and finally found myself.
    • marmax
      marmax margaret53068

      Posted

      You need to see another docor ASAP. Never just accept being fobbed off. In my case, they did do a nasoendoscopy and a tympanometry & hearing test but refused to do any scans (even though I was told I would require them) The tests they did were basic tests.
  • MommaKaren51
    MommaKaren51 marmax

    Posted

    I haven't been on this discussion site for quite awhile. I developed PAT after a severe case of Whooping Cough..I finally was able to secure a visit with Dr. Dennis Poe who works out of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary...it was very, very difficult to get an appointment with him; I had to wait almost six months but it was worth it. He did a surgery where he put a tube filled with bone wax into my Eustacian tube, this help tremendously. I did develop fluid in my right ear so he inserted a tube (as is done with children with too many ear infections). He did this in the office and it was amazing how quickly I felt the relief. My PAT symptoms are virtually gone (I pray they stay gone). I did develop mild hearing loss but it is a trade off I can live with.

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