Can ETD cause vertigo that lasts a couple of hours?

Yes you can. I had an experience similar to what you refer two years ago.

I have allergic health problems. In simplest terms nasal congestion can cause related E.T. congestion. I discovered my nostrils were congested and cleared them with my medication. I then came home. I ate a meal. I then stood up, experienced giddiness and vomited. This continued until the next morning. I was constantly vomating after moving.

The following day I telephoned my G.P. and I suggested to her I should get out of the chair and try to get back to normal. She advised I should. The condition did clear later that day. The next morning it reoccurred.

When you lie down the 'liquid' in the inner ear settles. Problems in the morning upon waking is a typical symptom.

When you are flying you will experience E.T.D. This because when in low air pressure is low your Eustachian Tube will compress and inner ear pain is common. It probable that you have had mucus in the Eustachian Tube creating your balance disturbances. You should suck sweet to keep your E.T. clearing. Swallowing open the tubes.

You can never be totally certain but it appears that this your problem. I was apprehensive it was what you have been advised!!

Howard

Thanks Howard...are you fully cured now? did you have tinnitus / hearing loss during that time?

I am not sure why the liquid in the inner ear would be affected by me lying down? If it's in the inner ear, then that would be a Meniere's problem, not ETD, correct?

Just to be clear, inner ear = Meniere's, middle ear = ETD

All balance problems are caused by disturbances to the inner year. Balance is controlled by tiny hairs which are suspended in liquid. If that liquid become disturbed it will create the problem and you can even feel nauseous. This is why when you have the problem you need to move slowing when getting out bed and chairs etc. Think shaking of a bottle of pop.

I just researched Minere Disease on the web for you and it is problem with the volume of the liquid. I would have been virtually impossible for any G.P. to work out if you had the problem in the short-term.

I had what I described twice. It is horrible problem because when you vomit when your mouth opens it will also open the Eustachian Tube and this creates further disturbances. Eating opens up the tube also. Be aware of that!

The hearing loss is because of mucus in the inner ear. This is what causes the problem.

If you take Cizzarazine this will reduce any mild inflammation which may exist and it will prevent the problem. It is handy to have them in your pocket if you have hints of the problem flaring up or when it likely to. They can also be used for travel sickness.

If you have a word with your pharmacist he/she will explain it to you. Have word with them if you have hints of longer term problems.

balance problems are in the inner ear (cochlea), however an eustachian tube is in the MIDDLE ear, and generally do not have anything to do with the inner workings of the cochlea. I know all there is to know about Meniere's disease and there's nothing you can do about it. It is incurable and a chronic lifetime disease.

Now, the question is whether a blocked eustachian tube can cause enough air pressure in the middle ear to severaly impact the inner ear cochlea fluid....and cause a "meniere's like" symtoms.....doctors say unlikely, hence my initial question

Ok, I think you are having a hard time understanding my questions and also expressing yourself. I take it that English is not your native language?

1) First of all, the Eustachian Tube is most definitely in the MIDDLE EAR, and is associated with MIDDLE EAR issues. Please read the first sentence:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustachian_tube

2) Second of all, I specifically asked about vertigo. Do you even know what it is? This is not just giddiness or dizziness, it's much more severe. You should look up the definition. I never said ETD does not cause dizziness, in fact it does. Also, searching ETD in Google will result in "vertigo" as part of the definition as well. However, I have yet to encounter anyone who actually had experienced vertigo with ETD. Doctors said it is almost impossible to have vertigo with ETD. That is why I am asking the question.

3) I am not sure why you talk about opening up of Eustachian tube (when eating) as a bad thing. ETD in most cases means it is blocked. Opening of the tube equalizes the pressure, so is a GOOD thing. NOT opening the tube is the problem.

4) Sucking sweets? Do you know what the Valsalva maneuver is? If that doesn't work for me why would sucking sweets?

5) You do not have hearing loss or tinnitus, so we obviously do not have the same illness.

6) Not sure why you keep telling me to go see a pharmacist. Pharmacists do not know anything. I work with ENTs and Neurotologists, specialists of the ear. Have you heard of them?

7) For anyone else out there, I am trying to see what the correlation is between 'middle ear air pressure / eustachian tube blockage' and 'inner ear / vertigo / mernieres' . Any ideas or experiences would be great. Thanks.

I sympathize with your problem as I too have one good ear and the other is usually plugged.   I also experience vertigo (room spinning) usually upon waking.   I am unable to pop my bad ear.   Once I have a very bad veritgo that made me so nauseous that I searched the web for home remedy solutions and found one.   I put a capful of hydrogen peroxide into each ear (let it sit until you hear it foaming inside your ear).    This was very difficult as tilting my head to pour it in caused extreme spinning.    Follow this with a capful of isopropyl alchol in each ear.   This actually worked and the vertigo was 95% gone.   After the treatment my bad ear would pop.    I have extreme allergies with sinus drainage that I believe plugs my eustachian tubes.    I also use a nasal wash (8 oz distilled water with 1/2 teaspoon non-iodized salt) to help clear out my nose and dry up the mucus which I believe contributes to the blockage of my eustachian tubes.    Hope this helps.

Hi, Have you had any success getting an answer? I don't have menieres.

I have blocked ETD's as you describe. Left one completely. Right one crackles and whines when I blow or swallow. I initially had a sinus infection and then flew on vacation. However my vertigo started days after my departure. And continued after my flight home. The blockages didn't show any symptoms of being there until several weeks later. I am fine until I lay down and turn to my left {completely blocked side}. I have to be careful lowering flat , and getting up from a lying position. Also when lowering my head to for instance wrap a towel around my wet hair I get the vertigo. It feels more like my brain is spinning inside myhead. My dr says the blockages and vertigo could be related. I think they definitely are. I am going to him again this week to ask to have some tests done. I have heard that shringing ears to remove wax might help. If you would like to hear about my results please let me know here. And if my symptoms are like yours I would love an update on your situation. Thank you. Dallas

Hello, I'm quite sure you have BPPV (Benign Positional Proximal Vertigo).  Mine was diagnosed at the National Dizzy and Balance Center in St. Paul, MN.  The symptoms are quite specific and obvious.  You spin like crazy if you lie flat too quickly or look straight up.  Getting up in the morning can also cause vertigo.  Luckily there is a treatment called an Epley Maneuver.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epley_maneuver.  It's a series of head movements which roll the crystals (which sit on tiny hairs and help your brain calculate the position of your head) in your inner ear back  to where they belong.  I had a viral infection of my vestibular nerve which likely lead to the condition but it can happen for unexplained reasons as well.  It's very common amoung folks over 60 but ofen goes undiagnosed.  

The bad news is that the maneuver is awful becuase when they put your head in certain positions designed to move the crystals which creates intense spinning and nausea.  So, take anti nauea medication before the procedure.  The good news is that you may be cured with one treatment.  Unfortunately, my vertigo has been recurring periodically over the last two years - likely due to the dameage to my vestibular nerve from the infection.  But when it does I simply go back to the clinic for an Epley maneuver.  You can also learn to do the manever at home but I"m still hoping mine will clear up for good one day.

So, don't worry.  You're not crazy and there's a simple procedure (involving no drugs or surgery) that can stop the spinning.  The only question is how long the crystals will stay put.

Best of luck!

I have the same symtoms as Dallas8181.  Looks like I had a sinus infection or cold, then flew on a plane.  Had left ear pressure for 1+ month before finally clearing my ET (ETD), also had dizzyness from day one.  Now with my ET cleared for almost 2 days now the left ear pressure is down and the walking dizzyness is down but when I lay on my back and move my head to the left, then get up, I still get very dizzy (room not spinning but dizzy for 10+ mins).    I just got back from the ENT today who wants me to go get a TMJ (CT scan).  I have never had problems with my inner ear or jaw in the past.

My questions:

(1) With my left ET now open (ENT verified today) should I just be patient for more time or go get the TMJ CT scan?  If I should just wait, can anyone give me an idea of how many days/weeks it might take to get rid of the dizzyness?  Assume equilibrium is still out of sorts, but could be vestibular inner ear issue. 

(2) The ENT did the BPPV 'crystals' test and I was told I don't have it.  Not so sure as the only time my dizzyness gets really bad now is when I lay down and turn my head to the left, then get up (symptoms of BPPV).  Should I further the pursuit of a solution to this potential root cause?

Thank you,