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Clogged ear for 5 month - lots of exams that show nothing

Posted , 73 users are following.

ForMartha
ForMartha

Hi everyone, 

I must say that I thought about writing down a post here, but I didn't do it till now. 

It's been almost 5 month since my misery had started, meaning, the ear pressure, to be specific, it's only on the right ear. 

It all started one day, with lymph node that got swollen next to my tragus, at that day, I visited the ER since I was afraid it was something that might be dangerous. 

The ENT gave me some antibiotics and some nasal drops, he also mentioned that it will take some time until the swollen lymph node will decrease and vanish. 

Few days after this issue, my ear got clogged. only the right one.. 

To make a long story short, I visited almost 10 ENTs, Neurologist, Orthopedist, TMJ (Mouth and dental doctor), few Dentists and other alternative therapists - such as accupatre and chiropractor.

Took tons of medicines - including few types of antibiotics, nasal drops (steroids and other), pain killers, anti-inflammation medicines etc. 

Did a lot of exams - Head CT, Head MRI, tympanometry, audio test, ultrasound exam, X-Ray to my neck and spine, FOL (optical fiber) test and other tests that I can't remember. 

All of the exams didn't have any conclusion to what was the issue, all the exams came out fine! - meaning, I'm stuck with it. 

I must say, 

I'm 30 years old, vegetarian, eat healthy, working out, working in non-physical job and pretty much having no other issues. 

I'm reaching out for your assistance, 

Anyone had experienced it also? Can you assist me with finding what is the root cause of it? 

I feel like my life turned 180 degrees, from being a friendly guy and leaving happy life, I turned out to be grumpy, unhappy and most of all, exhausted of this situation. 

Hopefully I'll find an answer here, 

Thanks, 

FM.

4 likes, 259 replies

259 Replies

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  • betsy70690
    betsy70690 ForMartha

    Posted

    I'm sorry to hear of your situation. I have had pain in my left ear for over 4 years. I've been through all the drs and no one has had an explanation. I have developed vertigo, not menieres, in addition. I'm in physical vestibular therapy and my therapist says there could be a connect to ****, something leading down the side of my neck, which he works on. Also my C2 is out of line. Like everything else, I don't really know if this is the cause. Heat and ibuprofen help. That I figured out by myself! Also very depressed about the changes it had caused in my lifestyle. I'll be watching to see if you get any further in your discovery.

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo betsy70690

      Posted

      Hi Betsy, have you also had your jaw checked for TMJ? I hope the tvestibular herapy helps. I would love to hear if it does over time. Vertigo seems to be such a difficult problem to find effective treatment for. x
    • betsy70690
      betsy70690 Olizzieo

      Posted

      I've been evaluated for TMJ, spent 5,000 of a 10,000 treatment under a specialist, but stopped because I was not feeling any progress. Then I saw an orthodontist, as a second opinion, and he did not see it necessary to go into braces or that my TMJ was significant. I've used 3 different appliances all guaranteed results, but not getting any. Is it TMJ related, like everything else, who knows.

    • betsy70690
      betsy70690 Olizzieo

      Posted

      I've only had a few visits for vestibular therapy. I'm just starting, the day I have them I feel worse, so I guess that confirms a problem.

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo betsy70690

      Posted

      Definitely. There is nothing worse than vertigo. All the best xx
    • ForMartha
      ForMartha betsy70690

      Posted

      Betsy, best of wishes - I hear your pain and I'm feeling it too. stay strong!

  • jill67883
    jill67883 ForMartha

    Posted

    I know how awful this is, I've had this problem since end of September, right ear and then left ear too, it is terrifying actually and enormously stressful.  I know you've seen a lot of doctors and had tests that should have told you if there is a tumor anywhere and thank God you don't have that problem.  BUT YOU DO HAVE  a problem!  And it is NOT in your imagination!  Have you seen a MD dedicated only to the ear?  (not ENT, dedicated Ear specialist)?  You may have a physical block in that ear, I had one in BOTH ears.  The specialist extracted these things that looked like tiny ice cream cones (I kid you not!!!)  This requires you be examined with a special microscope AND an otocscope (most ENTs do NOT have these microscopes, they just use otoscopes).  I went to a large teaching hospital (Albany Medical Center) and it took me TWO doctors before one used the microscope!  ALL THOSE ANTIBIOTICS AND EAR DROPS will WORSEN YOUR EAR because there's no place for the ear drops to GO, they can't get past the obstruction and the obstruction GROWS.  The head of ENT at that hospital NEVER ONCE used the microscope (it's a large machine, not the kind of microscope we used in Biology!)  He totally MISSED this "structure" in my ear.  As a result of this blockage, the ear produces fluid, that also will produce a "plug".  Can you "pop" your ears?  (Hold your nose blow out, GENTLY)?  If you can, it's not an inner ear problem or a eustachian tube problem, it's otitis externa.  ER is not the place to go when you have subtle symptoms (like swollen lymph gland), it's for emergent problems (chest pain, abdominal pain, etc.)  You may have a yeast infection brought on by water in your ear (from washing hair, showering, etc.) and the antibiotics and drops you were given in ER plugged up your ear.  You need to stop running around to different doctors and find just ONE who knows what he's doing: large teaching hospital ENT Dept., ask who is the best Dr. when you call (people answering the phones know this but they might not tell you), or just ask for Head of Dept. and make an appoinmtnet.  If you have records of test results, bring them.  ASK HIM to use the microscope; explain you have a chronic problem.  Let's see what happens.  I've seen my present Dr. four times and he has helped me a lot but the problem is still not totally resolved, it will take a while, and I'm getting a second opinion next week just in case.  I know how bad this is!  See what you can do to find the ultimate specialsit.

    • betsy70690
      betsy70690 jill67883

      Posted

      I'm glad you seemed to have gotten some results. I went to a teaching hospital in Nashville, was seen by an intern, and NOTHING was found. I like your suggestions of pushing further, which I usually do. So the lesson learned, if going to a teaching hospital ask for the Dr, not an intern. We pay a lot of money and it's not discounted for the intern to do the examination!

    • ForMartha
      ForMartha jill67883

      Posted

      Jill, I had saw a special one. but I will try seeing another one once again..

      as for blowing, I had noticed that once I pinch my nose and trying to build pressure, first, my left ear (the one that has no problem) is filing, than, my right ear (the one with the problem).

      But - I had also noticed that the right ear fills in steps (like half a way it is filling, than stops for maybe half a sec and than it fills completly).

      Thanks for everything..

  • ForMartha
    ForMartha

    Posted

    I'm yet again seeking for answeres,

    could someone assist with it?

    • ForMartha
      ForMartha Olizzieo

      Posted

      Hi Olizzieo,

      Nope, I got no hearing problem such as you had described.

      but, I had started developing Tinatius in that ear (right one...)

       

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo ForMartha

      Posted

      The last thing I can think of is asking an ENT to assess you for a patulous eustachian tube. Although most people have autophony (loud echoing of their voice/breathing), when everything else has been exhausted, I think it is worth being assessed.
    • ForMartha
      ForMartha Olizzieo

      Posted

      Thanks Olizzieo,

      I will try it, but I guess it is pointless to ask from the ENT once again..

      I can't stand my life anymore sad

      it's like hopeless..

       

    • dianataylor
      dianataylor ForMartha

      Posted

      Don't get hopeless..there are answers out there, and drs that know how to fix you. I know how you are feeling but try to stay positive-you will find your answer! Don't give up!  Diane

    • ForMartha
      ForMartha dianataylor

      Posted

      Thanks for the support, I am trying to stay possitive, but each cycle of visiting the doctors or other natural persona, I'm ending up with broken hopes..

      I will keep you all updated if something will come around.

      Thanks,

      Mor

    • brittney1
      brittney1 ForMartha

      Posted

      I’m feeling this for 5 months now.  Have you found relief? 
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