Posted , 15 users are following.
I live in Michigan, in the United States. Wondering if anyone here has ever had the balloon dialation procedure? Who was the Dr. ? What was the outcome? Any comments would be helpful.
0 likes, 30 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
kelly91202 Jamieleev
Posted
Hi Jamieleev;
I'm originally from Ionia, Michigan, live in Hawaii now and had the balloon dilation done in March by Dr. Brian Weeks. One of the best!! Unfortunately. For me it didn't work, but planning to try it again in September.
Tell us your story with ETD.
Jamieleev kelly91202
Posted
kelly91202 Jamieleev
Posted
I had it done in San Diego. Dr. Weeks had very high hopes for me. I've never had ear problems, no sinues problems, no allergies. I got sick with a head virus last September and my ears plugged up, muffled, popping, clicking, crackling.
Don't know why it didn't work? We know eustachian tubes are very tricky thing to fix.
Just gonna try it again and see.
What are your symptoms?
What part of Michigan are you from?
tony0321 kelly91202
Posted
Hi Kelly. I'll be really interested to hear how your second attempt with balloon dilation surgery goes in September. As you know from a previous conversation, I also had the procedure done (April last year) and it didn't work for me either. I am also willing to give it another try, but the initial feedback I got from doctors when I inquired about this was that if I got no improvement in my symptoms after the first attempt, the chances of it working the second time were reduced. That said, they didn't dismiss out of hand the possibility of it helping. Please keep us posted. I think there are many of us on this discussion board keen to hear about success stories with this procedure.
kelly91202 tony0321
Posted
Hi Tony
I definitely Will keep everyone updated on what's going on with me.....who did your procedure? I have learned by many of you so many different things.....not sure what to believe anymore ...I do believe in Dr. Weeks, between him and Dr. Poe, they are the 2 with the most experience.
I just found an ENT Doctor here that has started doing the procedure, when I told him my symptoms, popping, clicking, crackling, muffled ears, he said that those weren't the symptoms of ETD....WTH? Seriously. Fortunately, for me I have learned enough about this not to listen to him. He also said that dilation works 80% tubes in ears work 100% LOL LOL LOL. am I nuts or what!!!
I went to Dr. Weeks, awesome doctor, he knows the most....but, he's not God and he can only do so much as well. I had very very very high hopes that this dilation would work...Weeks was very confident that it would as well, I have NEVER Had any issues in my life....no ear infections, no sinus problems, no allergies.., just got a cold/virus and my tubes stop working or plugged up.
I asked Dr. Weeks what was plan B? He said come back and let's try it again.....my hopes aren't as high as they were the first time but I gotta try 1 more time....after that it's up to God and something down the road as they learn more about this maddening issue.
We all need to keep in touch with each other, that's our only hope....if someone learns something....share it, let's keep this forum alive.....
richardindia kelly91202
Posted
I also live in Hawaii. Can you tell me who the local doc was? If you think he wasn't good, I want to avoid him. I've had dysfunction for about 4 years, now seriously considering the balloon procedure.
Also, roughly how much does it cost? Insurance coverage? Medicare?
Thanks much. Guess you are about ready for a second try.
kelly91202 richardindia
Posted
Hi Richard.....I've been to 3 ENT doctors here & 2 out of 3 told me to live with it and the 3rd one Dr. Cho at straub told me that tubes would fix ETD..... NOT!!! I believe Dr. Cho is the only one on O'ahu that does the balloon dilation.
I went to Dr. Brian Weeks in San Deigo for my dilation and go back for a 2nd attempt next Monday.
If you want to messenger me on Facebook under Kelly Doyle Harper I'll answer more questions for you.
christina9481 kelly91202
Posted
I replied to Jamie by accident. I'm new here but see you may have had the balloon dilation procedure this past Monday. If so how are you doing? I have a consult worth Dr Weeks next month and I'm desperate for permanent relief. ETD has given me major anxiety and really disrupted my way of life. It's on my mind 24/7 and I hate it.
randi21682 Jamieleev
Posted
I had the balloon dilation procedure and it didn't help me either. I then got tube in which did help, but now having issues again. I am doing the balloon again with an adenoid revision as I have adenoid tissue that grew back blocking one of my eustachian tubes. Mine was done by Dr. Vijay Anand in NYC and he was supposed to do it again, but is out on medical leave. My ear specialist Dr. Sujana Chandrasekhar is doing it this time.
christina9481 Jamieleev
Posted
Hi Jamie! Did you have the dilation procedure done on Monday? I have an appointment with Dr. Weeks next month. I've been dealing with ETD for only 2 months but it has caused me severe anxiety
I'm desperate for something to work but so far I haven't really come across any real fixes.
p95068 Jamieleev
Posted
I live in Michigan & am set to have balloon dilation surgery next week with Dr. Weingarten in St. Clair Shores - east side of Michigan. I'm going to an osteopathic clinic soon ran by MSU students in Clinton Township which is FREE. I will see what they can do first. I will let you know what happens. I'm still not sure if I am going thru with the surgery. I got sick in December last year & the ears won't unclog. Tried 6 months of nasal steroids, also a few days of prednisone. I actually got used to it so that it doesn't drive me crazy anymore. Hopefully something will work. And doing LOTS of prayer too helps!
p95068
Posted
ok, here's the update on my situation. The osteopathic session really didn't make a difference so I went ahead with the balloon dilation surgery. At first I saw hardly any results & it seemed to worsen. But after about 4 - 6 weeks the etd went almost completely away. I would recommend the surgery - there was no pain aftwerward at all for me & I'm still almost completely free of etd 4 months later.
Guest p95068
Posted
lisa84528 p95068
Posted
Hi,
I just got this done a week ago and it also seemed to get worse. I am hoping that I will also get better in a couple of more weeks like p95068.
Is anyone else having problems after the surgery? Please comment. It didn't help that I got sick right after the surgery. (which I believe I got sick at the hospital). thanks.
lisa84528 p95068
Posted
P95068,
Hi, did you have any hearing problems before you had the balloon surgery?
I still can't hear very well on my left ear and my doctor told me that is my perceived notion that I can't hear and he wants to get me tested with a hearing test to see if indeed I have lost some hearing.
If you can please reply.
Thanks.