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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 had to double check I hadn't written this exact same story only fullness and severe pain in one ear for 41/2 years. All those drs and tests have no ans. So I take ibuprofen 800mgs a day which helps, but is not good. I swore off drs about 6 mos ago, about to start up again.

    • betsy70690
      betsy70690

      Posted

      I see I already responded to this a month ago. No changes for me. How about you?
    • ForMartha
      ForMartha betsy70690

      Posted

      Hi Betsy,

      No changes, except that I started developing tinnitus in the same blocked ear

      I can't seem to understand why on the first session at the chiropractic doctor and the ancupcturist, I had a sudden relief that lasted 10 minutes, and than it disappeared.

      I also visited another ENT professor that ended up saying I have nothing, but, he will send me to some sort of fiber optic test to examine the cochlea. but I guess it will result nothing.

      I am starting g Biofeedback course in two days to try to solve it.

      Meanwhile, I saw that when I yawn, it pops my ear for couple of seconds and than it got blocked once again.. maybe it points something?

      Thanks

      Mor

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo betsy70690

      Posted

      Did you go to a dentist to look at TMJ as a possible cause, or a chiropractor to see if manipulation of your neck, back, skull etc can make a difference?
    • ForMartha
      ForMartha Olizzieo

      Posted

      I saw couple of dentists and also mouth and jaw expert which had looked at my CT and mouth X-ray, all of them said that I have no issue.

      As I said, it seems like first treat at the chiropractor had aided me, but after around 10 minutes it had been blocked once again sad

       

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo ForMartha

      Posted

      I really think it is fluid related to your lymph node. Can you try and get a script from your doctor for diuretics. Ask if you can try them for a week to see if this helps eliminate the fluid that still may be retained in or around your lymph node. If it also eliminates the ear pressure then you know it is the cause of your problem. If it began with swelling of the lymph node, it should end when that fluid is completely returned back to normal. It is the only thing I can think of and looks like the only thing you haven't tried. Make sure the amount of diuretics is high enough to make a difference. Good luck!!!

  • ian1991
    ian1991 ForMartha

    Posted

    Hello! I am in the same situation practically I don't know what the fluid feeling is behind my ear and inner ear. Whatever I move my jar or tilt my head I hear and feel something in my ear. Do you have the same symptoms? I'm going insane , in 25 and this is very much starting to ruin my life as well. In beginning to believe it could be fluid stuck behind behind my ear drum, therefor they would have to put a tiny tube in my ear drum so it can drain. I can't say I eat that healthy and I am a smoker but still I'm pretty healthy otherwise . Please stay in touch because I feel as if I'm losing my sh*t because of this and I feel like not one person understands what I'm experiencing . I need to find out what this is.

  • ForMartha
    ForMartha

    Posted

    Couple of news (bad ones),

    in the past week I visited the ER twice due to high fever and head pain.

    I than got some shot and antibiotics, also did LP (spinal tap) test to verify that I I don't got any meningitis. Lucky me - the test was fine.

    couple of days later, my left ear (!!) clogged and I started developing Tinnitus. I than saw audiologist and he saw that I have some minor hearing issue and I will need to be doing some other tests.

    Meanwhile, I got back to working out, taking some curcumin pills, long-side with B12 vitaminins.

    I will keep you posted if I will solve the issue.

    BTW - I took a trip and needed to use an airplane, the flight was OK. So dont worry guys and laides, we will be OK eventually.

    Mor

    • anne05078
      anne05078 ForMartha

      Posted

      Hello Martha,

      So glad your diagnosis was clear for meningitis, as my clogged ears caused that to happen to me.  Lost sight in my left eye and hearing in left ear.  That was back in 1994 and still suffering on and off with the

      blocked ears.  Glad that you were put on antibiotics too, so your are protected.

      I'm extrememly congested at the moment, but ears have be behaving for few few weeks now....congestion in the nose can cause ears to block.

      Tinnitus unfortunately, once you get it you're usually stuck with it....hope not for you though.  Sadly, I've got that too, but learn to live

      with it.

      Anne

       

  • carol7212
    carol7212 ForMartha

    Posted

    Sorry I have no suggestions on what you need help with. All I have is the ear pressure and clogged ears ..add on some fairly extreme pain at times in each ear especially the left. And oh yes I can't forget the headaches. ER doctor said fluid in both ears so was prescribed steroid nasal spray. Few weeks later a follow up at my own doctor because of symptoms worsening at which time he prescribed an antibiotic. Sorry I cant be helpful to your case but I wondered if you at any point took both an antibiotic AND used the steroid nasal spray( at the same time I mean). My neighbor said dont use them together but the pharmacist said it was fine.

    • anne05078
      anne05078 carol7212

      Posted

      Hi Carol,

      In extreme cases where ears just won't un-block Prednisolone is prescribed for me ovder here in England.  They certainly do the trick.  I'm suffering with severe congestion in sinuses.  Nose so blocked, however, sooner nose blocked than ears.  I'm back using Flixonase Nasule Drops for a few weeks to try and sort this blessed congestion out.  Anyone else suffer sinus issues ?  Wondering if the steroid nasal spray etc that I've been using for years and years could be responsible to my hair thinning, coming out quite badly.  I've emailed GlaxoSmithKline who produces these sprays to ask if it's possible.  Just wondering as blood test for Hormone imbalance, thryroid and iron, the most common cause of hair loss has come back clear.  Only use Flixonase and Citrizine antihistamines, so goodness knows what has suddenly started to cause my hair to thin.

      Anne

    • carol7212
      carol7212 anne05078

      Posted

      Hi Anne

      Thanks for your response. I'm going to ask my Dr. for Prednisolone if possible. Wow, that's pretty strange about your hair thinning. There are just so many unknown side effects to medications which people generally fear more than putting up with the situation at hand. For myself, there's a particular medication I had started for an ailment and I remember being so pleased to have finally been prescribed something from about the 5th specialist I had seen. Lo and behold about two weeks in I started having all these unrelated symptoms that were making my life more miserable than before. I stopped taking it needless to say. It just seems like you cant win .

    • anne05078
      anne05078 carol7212

      Posted

      Hi again,  I'll be seeing my ENT consultant next month and will have a chat with him about possible side effects....probably othing to do with medication, just one of those things.  I know we all los a certain amount of shedding, then it stops, still waiting for mine to stop though.  It isn't alopcia, no bald spot, just thinning and can see blonde hairs on my black pillow case pretty much every morning.  GlaxoSmithKline have been brilliant and will investigate, waiting for the company that makes Citrizine antihistamines to get their take on it.  I guarantee Predinisolone will get rid of your problem.  It damps down inflammation and drys up mucus.  One rotten side effect of them though, for me I can't sleep until I stop taking them at the end of the course.  Doesn't happen with everyone though and a small price to pay for sorting out clogged ears.  Because I suffer really bad sinusitis mine is an on-going problem.  I'm still very congested but when I've been on Flixonase Nasules for just over a week I will see a marked difference and start to be able to breath again.  What a pest this all is, however, there are so many people so much worse off.

      Kind regards

      Anne

  • chelsea15874
    chelsea15874 ForMartha

    Posted

    Formartha I have had the exact same symptoms as you since the beginning of February. Also have seen an ENT and a general doctor. I've took prednisone for 10 days and taken Flonase (and still am). Neither has worked and it's scary that whatever this is won't respond to medicine or any "ear popping" method.

    The anxiety about this being something I have to live with is awful. I am 25 years old and live a very healthy lifestyle. I have never had any problems with my ears in fact this is the first time it has ever felt clogged besides if I'm flying and it goes away shortly after we land.

    I also noticed when I put my hand over my ear it feels better. Or if I put my towel on my head after I shower it seems to feel normal. Any updates on what you think yours could be? This anxiety is just unbearable.

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