Eustachian tube - how long does it take to drain?

No, i can hear fine. My ENT had me take a hearing test and it was 100%.

But I definitely feel fluid in there TRY to drain.

Morning Hannah, if you can feel fluid it can take a very long time to drain.  It's the blessed eustachian tubes that are to blame for this and my ENT consultant tells me I've dysfunctional eustachian tubes.  Colds and sinus issues can cause blocked ears that are full of mucus, if thick it can take a very long time to clear.  Try putting very hot water in a bowl and then a towel of your head and breath deeply for 20 mintues, sometimes this works.  Olbas oil that we buy in England is good too, sniffing it from a tissue.  As I've said I've suffered this problem since the 1980's.  Because mine is an on going problems I have to use a steriod based nasal spray every day to try and keep them clear.  Maybe your doctor will prescribe some for you.  Other than that it's a waiting game.  Have you tried pinching your nostrils togther and gently blowing.  I do this pretty much all of the time and sometimes end up with a small perforation which my ENT consultant uses microsuction to get all the muck out.  That feels wonderful until the cycle starts all over again.

Anne

So Im going to feel fluid until it fully clears?? I dont know how much longer i can keep up with this weird sensation lol

Morning lil update. Ive been to see doctor about my left ear and its still blocked. They gave me nose spray but which dnt do anything. Ive got try for 3 months. And if not improved then go back.

Morning Sam,  I wish doctors would realise when we have blocked ear or ears for a very long

time the regular Steroid Nasal Sprays rarely work.

He needed to give you a reducing method of Prednisolone Steroid Tablets.  They are so much

stronger than the sprays.  They work to get rid of all the inflammation in your Eustachian Tubes,

and get rid of the swelling that's preventing them from draining.

In my humble opinion you having suffered now for quite a few months the spray is a complete

waste of time.

I have years and years of experience with suffering ETD and know what works and what doesn't

I'd go back if I were you.  You'd need longer than a weeks course too, for it to work.  Are you in

England ?

Anne

 

Hi Anne doctor I saw acted like she didnt care. But yh im in England and getting to the point where ive had enough of it.

Hi again,  glad you're in England as you'll be able to ask for the Flixonase Nasule Drops, that I recommend to everyone on the Forum that lives in England.  They come in a green box.  You

have to divide one Nasule between each nostril....not an easy task, as when you're lying with

your head hanging over the bed it's hard to know just how much is going up each side....you'll

get the hang of it like I did.  Six weeks course of these, should get you sorted.  After you've

administered them, give them a few minutes to get into tube, then try and pop your ear....works

every time for me.  I now only have to use them when my left ear blocks, which is approx every

7 days now.

Seeing my consultant on the 6th Feb and hope he doesn't take me off them. 

Anne

Is Flixonase pretty similar to Flonase?? That's one of the things the doctor gave me to do once a day. They also said take an allergy pill and keep taking the antioxidant pill they gave me. I just wondered if the Flonase was very useful or if you knew??

Yes Ash, it's the equivalent to our Flixonase in England.  I used to use that mornings and evenings, to get the full benefit....no good to me anymore, just not strong enough for ETD.  Keep using it as you'll probably see that it will help, as it did for me years ago.  I'm trying not to use the Flixonas Nasule Drops so I don't get immune to those too.....use just once a week, that's how long I can go before ears block up again....all to do with allergies and Rhinitis with me.

Anne

It's not an infection i've had 2 doctors and 1 ENT all confirm its not.

So this is normal? Ahhh i guess its good that its draining but its so uncomfortable!!

As i feel the gunk move down i start feeling even more pressure in my ears and headache this sucks so bad!

Is this how it felt for you?

I would hate to keep going back to ENT doctor only for them to tell me the same thing: nothing is wrong, it takes time.

Ive never experienced this before so im freaking out

Would love to hear how drainage felt for you

Hey Hannah, any luck with your ears? 

Hello Hannah,

Yes exactly the same.  I know my problems are sinus and allergies.  However, like I've said recently to lots of people on this Forum that I've had 5 months relief from this awful condition, from taking Prednisolone steroid tablets (20 day reducing course) then using Flixonase Nasule drops for 6 weeks, then reverting back to the Flixonase spray.  Fours days back on the spray and trouble back, left ear felt blocked again.  I gently tried to pop it and when it did I heard all sorts of crackling noises and when I wiggle my finger in my ear I can hear squelching, which indicates to me that I have yet another perforation, but so tiny the mucus won't drain out.  I 'phoned the hospital yesterday to try and get my twice yearly ENT appointment brought forward from February 2018....thankfully, they've put me in for next Thursday.  Hopefully, I'll have the microsuction procedure done again where all the mucky mucus is sucked out....alll will be well for a while, then it will all be back again.  Sadly, with what I've read on the internet not all the procedures available (tubes and balloon dilation) work for some people. M y consultant won't use them for me.  I think once the Eustachian Tubes start to become Dysfunctional, we are all stuck with this problem forever.  I've now been suffering this dreadful condition for 34 years on and off, but more on that off and it now seems to becoming a lt more often.  Prednisolone is the only thing that works for getting rid of all the inflammation and helping with sinus and allergies problems.  But they are a drug not recommended to use too often due to side affects when used for a very long time.  I probably have to use them for ETD apprx. every other year, just to give me soe relief.  It's trying to get to the bottom of the problems that causes it.  Do you suffer sinusitis ?

Anne

Yep, exactly the same Hannah.....sounds like you're suffering sinus headaches.  I get them so

much due to sinus issues.  My ears still good, due to the medication I'm on....they only block

now once a weeks so now only have to use the Nasules when this happens.  I'm seeing my

ENT consultant next week.

Anne