Clogged ear for 5 month - lots of exams that show nothing
Posted , 73 users are following.
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
Annjo ForMartha
Posted
I dont know if there is one doctor in British columbia Canada who can help me with this problem. If there is one i will consider him my super hero. Since that one ent specialist i visited told me he is no super hero for my problem
anne05078 Annjo
Posted
Hello Annjo, Sorry to hear of your experience. Join the club with all the other people
on this Forum.
If your ear/ears are blocked you are suffering Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, most definitely.
You need to be prescribed Flixonase Nasule Drops. I've been using these on and off for
years with same complaint. Not too sure what shows up on a scan with our ears, only
probably something potentially serious, which ETD isn't. It's just a dreadful condition to
suffer. Sadly, I've suffered for more years than I care to remember. Nothing can be done
for me and I have an excellent ENT consultant, with whom I see twice yearly, due to the
fact I suffer chronic Rhinitis and allergies....so it's a cycle that goes round and round and
I couldn't keep being operated on. I live in England and thank goodness we have some
good specialists.
There is Balloon Dilation and Tubes that could be put in. Do you suffer sinus issues ?
it's the other side of the eardrum where the problem lie, which couldn't be seen looking
into ones ear. Try squeezing your nostrils together and blow, your tubes may pop open.
Ask your doctor about the Flixonase and see if he will give it to you to just try and get
rid of any mucus and help with any possible inflammation too in your tubes. Anything
that groans on and on makes us feel miserable and drags us down.
Let me know how you get on. Also read other peoples posts on this Forum and see what
they are saying too.
Regards
Anne
Guest ForMartha
Posted
I have the same thing, only it's my left ear. Been to 2 ENTS and had CT scan of sinuses. Nothing wrong, they say. I can empathize.
anne05078 Guest
Posted
Anne
kerry00513 ForMartha
Posted
Hi I'm having the same problems as you I've been on medication been to ent twice and still no luck this is driving me crazy and getting me down. Have you sorted yours yet ?
anne05078 kerry00513
Posted
Hello Kerry,
What medication are you on ? If you've read my previous posts, you'll see that in April I was prescribed
Prednisolone (20 day reducing course) Once I'd finished them I then started on Flixonase Nasule drops (6 weeks course) finished those now and back on Flixonase Aqueous Nasal spray. At the moment my ears are still clear and sinuses behaving themselves too.
I tell everyone, if they want a quick fix for this problem you have to take the steroid tablets (Prednisolone) It's all the inflammation that's causing the problem. Just give them a try....one course is all you'll need to sort you out. I've suffered the condition of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction for more years than I care to
remember, so know what works and what doesn't. At the moment my smell and taste is still with me and hoping it remains, but not holding my breath as once the allergies kick in again I'll be back to square one.
However, having had six month relief from this wretched condition is wonderful and at the moment everything is still good.
Regards
Anne
kerry00513 anne05078
Posted
Hi Anne I've been on 2 lots of nose sprays also pseudoephedrine tablets and stemetil also antibiotics as I had a ear infection
kerry00513 anne05078
Posted
anne05078 kerry00513
Posted
Hi gain, you have to persevere with the steroid nasal sprays....takes weeks to start working.
If you're desperate just try what I've said. I don't think you'll regret it. ETD is such a miserable
condition and drags us all down, you need relief !!
Anne
anne05078
Posted
Just read you second message. Yours is steroid based too. If you find it isn't working ask for what I
use. I'm in England, but I think you'll be able to get it.
melissa1999 ForMartha
Posted
anne05078 melissa1999
Posted
Hello Melissa, I have just checked out that Eustachi machine on Amazon and it's exactly like the EarPopper I purchased. When you put it into your nose do you have to swallow at the same time as pressing the button ?
I didn't find it helped at all. Probably depends how blocked ears are. If they are blocked from mucus, it's probably a lot harder to open the tubes.
Anne
kerry00513 melissa1999
Posted
What does this machine do and how much ? Thank you
anne05078 kerry00513
Posted
Kerry, I googled this machine and it's the same as our EarPopper, which I purchased a couple of years ago in Boots at the price of £100.......doesn't work for me.
Anne
anne05078 ForMartha
Posted
Hello Martha, Would you explain what this device does exactly. A few years ago I purchased the EarPopper machine, cost £100 (I'm in England) Didn't find it any use at all. Always ready to try something new. I've suffered this condition since the 1980's and all these years on still suffering. In 1994 the mucus in my Eustachian Tubes turned bacterial and I ended up with Bacterial Meningitis. People that suffer ETD, when an earache appears they should always cover themselves by asking for antibiotics.
Anne
anne05078
Posted
Anne