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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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  • angelique_06633
    angelique_06633 ForMartha

    Posted

    Well ive been suffering ear pressure for 8-9 months now and it's really starting to affect my mental health I almost feel I'm in a bubble and I've tried home remedies and I've been to three doctors but all they have done is given me nasal spray ect . It's very aggravating and it gives me anxiety, I go to school and walking down the hallway I feel like I'm going to have a panicky attack because I can notice my ears feel so clogged . It's not wax and I do have sinuses I believe the cause of it was lack of taking care of my colds and sinuses months prior to this happening , I just want this to be over I hate not having to be social and not being able to go anywhere due to my ear pressure . It's not healthy I just want it to be over asap . 

    • anne05078
      anne05078 angelique_06633

      Posted

      Good morning Angeligue,

      I feel for you as I too suffer Eustachian Dysfunction and have done for more years than I care to remember.  I suffer allergies, Rhinitis and Sinusitis, all of which cause the Eustachian Tubes to block.

      Ask you doctor to prescribe Flixonase Nasule Drops 400 micrograms (1mg/ml)  These drops have to be administered with your head leaning over the bed and staying there for apprx one minute.  If they are using twice daily, morning and night, you will see a marked difference with a week....maybe before.

      These Nasules are stronger than the sprays, which is what you need to get prompt relief.  A six weeks course of the Nasules should help a lot, then you can revert back on the spray.  Mine is again Flixonase, but the Aqueous Nasal Spray.

      My ear (left one only) but I used to suffer from both, became so badly blocked back in April this year I had to take a 20 day reducing course of Prednisolone steroid tablets.  Most doctors don't like prescribing these tablets as if they have to be used a lot can cause side affects.  They sorted me out and I've had five months of relief from ETD until last Thursday my left ear blocked again....this was after reverting back to the Flix Spray.  So I put myself back on the Flixonase Nasules and they worked almost immediately, relieving the dreadful blocked and pressure feeling.  When my left ear blocks I try to pop it.  I put my finger into the ear that isn't blocked, then squeeze nostril together and blow, fortunately my left ear will pop after doing this.  I get a lot of noise going on, crackling and squelching, but after using the nasules for a day that cleared too.  I saw my ENT consultant yesterday afternoon and he confirmed that it's ok to continue with the nasules.

      So all I can recommend is you asking your doctor to prescribe them.  After 5 months you've suffered long enough and I understand the anxiety you are now feeling.  So many people on this Forum are saying the same thing.  It's because I've had so many years of experience with this dreadful condition I know what works. 

      Sadly, it's an on ging problem when one suffers Allergies, Rhinitis and Sinus issues.  I also have Tinnitis, high pitched ringing in my left ear.

      I do hope you get relief soon and let me know how you get on.  It's always so nice to hear when someone has been helped.  Just to add I've had sinus surgery, again many years ago, when the surgeon found polyps in my nasal lining, they were removed.  They grow back after some time when one suffers allergies, they cause a blocked nose, just to add to the problem.

      Kind regards

      Anne

    • kerry00513
      kerry00513 anne05078

      Posted

      Morning anne

      How did you get on at the hospital? I take fluticasone nasal spray 50 mg I was told to put in 2 drops per side but wasn't told to apply while lying on the bed

    • anne05078
      anne05078 kerry00513

      Posted

      Hiya, the Spray won't be strong enough Kerry.  All that time you've been suffering you need the Flixonase Nasule Drops.  I don't find the spray is working for me anymore.  I saw My ENT consultant yesterday and he said to stay on the nasules if they are helping to keep my left ear clear.  What I am dong though is only using it every other day....that's ok to do once I've got on top of the problem.

      You can't put drops each side with a Spray, can onlydo that with the drops.  The Spray is a spry on each side twice a day morning and night.  I'll be very surprised if the spray will be any good for you at this stage, only once you've used the NASULE DROPS FOR 6 WEEKS, then can you go onto the Spray.

      What a pity he has given you the wrong stuff....but if it is the same as mine, they are small plastic nasules.  You shake, take off the top, lean head over the bed and try and get the right amount up each side.  That is hard to do when you can't see what's going up.  What I do, is squeeze gently up my left side (which is the one that gets blocked) then look at how much has actually gone up, if not much I repeat that side, I only put a little up the right side, as that also helps to keep inflammation at bay.

      Do let me know what you've actually got THE SPRAY IN FLIXONASE OR THE FLIXONASE NASULES.  Those with Nasules in is a square box and it says 400 micrograms (1 mg/ml) Fluticone propionate.

      You've got me interested now as to which one you've been give.

      Message me soon

      Thanks Anne

  • maria68597
    maria68597 ForMartha

    Posted

    Hey my name is Maria I to have this since 2014. But what happen to me was that one day I got fever, one of my ears isn’t clogged. Whenever I went to the hospital and they made check ups everything came fine. Is strange, but at times when I get a strong fever the ear that is clogged would open if I tried to pop it and could hear fine.

     The thing is,it goes back to get clogged when I feel better after the fever. I been dealing with it for years. I don’t have much money so I really haven’t t done too many test, but somehow I think is something connected to the fever symptoms I had. I’m sorry if you’re scared,  you’re healthy and seem to take proper care it makes me angry hear this happened to you. I’m thinking in the future go to the doctor or investigate even by my own means. 

    Somehow it’s a bother for me sometimes, because I know my hearing is fine, it’s just that the clogging won’t go away.

    Thanks for your time

  • ForMartha
    ForMartha

    Posted

    Hi all,

    I came back to tell you that I'm in the same situation. however, I'm a DAD NOW!! I'm a proud father of a little baby girl.

    The more I think about it, the more I understand - life is stronger than everything else.

    I'm more relaxed and focused on my baby girl. The fact that I must stay strong for my little baby and my wife drives the pain away.

    I will eventually will find a cure for my suffering, but in the meantime - I'm happy with what I have smile

     

  • sevda53343
    sevda53343 ForMartha

    Posted

    Hi everbody, hope all of you find solutions to your ear problems. Just wanted to tell my story as I though I was going mad. I had blocked ear and tried to tell my dr that it goes and comes back when I had that block ear I cant hear properly and feel like 90 years old person with hearing problem. I felt not to tell anybody and made me very unsocial. I went Ent had a test,  saw specialist seen several Gp along the waysad people thought I m all ok and kind of making things up. I went online read all over , couldnt find anything until one of the person shared their story online. They said maybe what we eat is the issue. Somehow he made list of things I should take off from my diet and see if there is any change. Guess what! Coffee and white bread made my ear blocked after 5/10 min later I had thembiggrin I couldn’t believe it and he suggested to use A.vogel Plantago drops daily to get rid of unexplained blockage on my ears. I have been praying that person since I started hearing and being normal again! God gives what ever he wish for. Hope somehow one of you will get this and start hearing back again. Ofcourse the list can be different for you all; cheese, wheat, rice,coffee,sugar, coke,vitamins so try to cut one item at a time and go without a week. See if any difference with your hearing ofcourse use drops everyday pls ask your dr I am not a medical person but it seems to be sold in any pharmacy in Uk. Hope you all feel better soon. One moment I thought I was mad and making things up hope no one feel this way ever. Good luck 

  • sevda53343
    sevda53343 ForMartha

    Posted

    Hi again, 

    I know food allergy sounds too silly, i was that desperate to try anything after using so many medicine steroids, nasal sprays and I was nearly given up. If you are sceptical about it pls try you have nothing to loose. For the drops you can talk to dr ofcourse but worked for me! And hope for all of you this small cahnge in your diet will change your life! Good luck again and there is so many articles online about food allergy with clicked ear. 

    [b]https://ibstreatmentcenter.com/2014/05/food-allergies-triggers-ear-infections-upper-respiratory-problems[b].html

  • gemmstone27
    gemmstone27 ForMartha

    Posted

    Hi i hope you’re ok firstly And secondly sorry I can’t help but I suffer the same as you, in fact I could write a similar thing, is there anything you’ve found can help, as my professionals are well not great ive had the same over 10 years and I’m 29 now I’ve seen ent etc. waiting 6 months a punt I also have severe tooth pain but no help. I hope you’re ok or bit better than before, you could try if not 
  • gemmstone27
    gemmstone27 ForMartha

    Posted

    Sorry connection lost but you could try ottovent or something similar, you sort of breath down into a balloon and it pops your ears. It says for children but my doctor prescribed it me thinking it was my eustatian tube no luck but hopefully for yourself. 
  • dheeraj65270
    dheeraj65270 ForMartha

    Posted

    Hey I am also having the same problem. Can u tell me what's your status and how are you feeling now..??

    • dannyochoa
      dannyochoa dheeraj65270

      Posted

      Hello I am having the same issue sad its going on a month now.  How long have you had this ?
  • dheeraj65270
    dheeraj65270 ForMartha

    Posted

    I am having this uneasy feeling from last 6 months

    • anne05078
      anne05078 dheeraj65270

      Posted

      Hello Dheeraj,

      You can send via private message on the Patient Forum if you prefer.

      Would help if you could list a few of your problems, when ETD started

      and what you think caused it.

      All I'm able to tell you is how I've managed at present to control the

      symptoms of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction and the current medication

      I'm using.

      You could scroll back and read all of my posts to other people on the

      Forum....if you've now had this problem for 6 months, it's unlikely to

      go, without the correct medication.  I've now suffered for many, many

      years, but fortunately seem to have to on tip of the problem.  I'll be

      seeing my ENT consultant in February to discuss how I'm using my

      medication and if I'm doing the right thing.

      Anne

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