Desperte For Advice on ETs.

I am having a hearing test next week, I have avoided having one done as I feel as though I would hear just fine, if my ears would just "pop".  My first symptom was last spring - throat clearing due to post nasal drip, which morphed backwards and forwards to blocked sinuses.  Now my only symtom is ETD.  I do feel a little better in the morning when I wake up, until I realize I'm still deaf!  Thank you very much for taking the time to reply.  

Hopefully you will get some answers in the end. When I first started diagnosing my ETD, hearing test was one of the first things the ENT ordered. After that they wanted to rule out any tumors/growth in the area, so I got a Cat Scan. The next step after that was an allergy test, which came back positive big time. After about 1.5 years of allergy shots, my seasonal allergies have imporved, but my ears haven't. I would often have flare ups and ear pains after larger meals, so I decided to explore my Reflux concerns. I had a scope done on my digestive system and eve had the 24-hr PH test done to see if acidity was reaching my throat - these came back mostly negative. What ended up helping me in the end was diet modifications and exercise (I've always been fit and skinny): I cut out caffeine (I still drink Decaf), cut out beer and alcohol 99% (only 1-2 drinks per week now on weekends), started eating smaller portions and started exercising 3-4 times a week. I've been doing much better since I started working out on the regular basis, which brings me to my final conclusion/thoughts: I have a sore area on the right side of my neck that I've been ignoring for years. I believe that there's a connection between my neck and the ETD drainage. My theory is that eating larger meals/chewing a lot of food caused these muscles/nerves to flare up and make my ear pain worse, but I'm doing much better now. I've started physical therapy on my neck 2 weeks ago, I go 3 times a week - so between that and my gym visits, I'm a super-fit person now Lol 

I still get the occasional cracking/mucusy sounds and high pitched notes in my ears, but hardly any of the clogged/pluggged feeling that I used to get.  

Just keep working through your diagnostics step by step and you will eventually figure it out

Hi Laszlo,  thank you for that very informative infomation.  I'm sure mine is allergy related, with sinus issues and congestion.  I've never smoked and have never drunk, I eat healthily and get reasonable amount of exercise.  I've only ever drunk de-Caf, however, I do like chocolate, which I eat on most days.  Would hate to think that would be my problem, as that's my little pleasure in life.  I only weigh 9st 9lbs, so not over weight.  I've have CT scans, ear tests and pretty much what you've had too.  It's just strange that these things come upon us out of the blue sudden and out of the blue, as before that all was good....the body is a strange thing !!  A lot of it is our immune systems and how we handle things.  Also so much is spoken about not taking antibiotics unless really necessary.  Well, I've had so many doses over the years and intravenous whilst in hospital with the meningitis.....so my body is probably knackered !! lol  once I've finished the Prednisolone, and I will add they worked and I feel wonderful, I will boost my immune system big time.  I never mix medication, so will start with Echancia, Vitamins and Acidiphillus to put the good bacteria back that the reason antibiotics I've taken would have killed off.  I never leave me ears when they get bad, as too frightened of a repeat of what happened to me.  They say lightening never strikes twice, well it does, so I'm not prepared to take that risk.  I was really so lucky to have survived that vicious illness, for which I'll be eternally grateful for.

Anne

Hi Laszlo, I've read some of your posts and was wondering if you might be able to offer any assistance. I, too, have been suffering the clogged/plugged ears for the last 16 months along with a lot of post nasal drip. I've seen an ENT and allergist and they've now advised me to see a GI to rule out LPR/GERD (though my primary care physician put me on Aciphex for 3 months which did not do much good). I do find I'm better when I'm on vacation and away from the dry climate of Sacramento. Like you, I've cut out alcohol which seems to have helped. Cold drinks (smoothies) tend to have a negative affect on my ears as well. I've also been diagnosed with TMJ and wear a mouth guard at night to keep my teeth clinching in check. But all of the symptoms you describe seem to fit me to a tee. Any additional advice? And how difficult was it to convince a doctor to prescribe physical theraphy? With a baby on the way in October, I'm looking for all of the help I can get, especially since multiple trips to multiple doctors have not done anything to improve my condition. Thanks so much.

Hi mikelly15

I can assure you that there's light at the end of the tunnell. I've been doing 90% better in the past few months, but it took me nearly 3 years to get there. The 2 big things that have helped me were dietary changes and working out. I started by cutting out coffee (still drink decaf every day), alcohol (except for 1-2 drinks on the weekend), any energy drinks or stimulants and I try to eat smaller portions. In english, I stop before I feel that I'm full. The combination of an alcoholic beverage+a large meal was my worst enemy. 

The other half of the story was that I started working out 3-4 times a week last August. I actually took on a 200 pushups/day challenge for 30 days and I'm still doing it 9 months later - but you don't have to. The main program is that I go to the gym usually 3 times a week and start with 15 mins cardio and then work on a muscle group (Tue: bicept/triceps  Thu: Leg/Back and Sat: Chest/Shoulder). You can mix up your cardio between running, elyptical and bicycle machine for variety.

I can honestly say that I am in the best form of my life and feel great/look great. 9.6% body fat, I eat healthy (more homemade instead of TV dinners/eating out) and I actually love working out now. 

I can't quite tell you what my conditions were, but I feel it was a combination between GERD/LPR and sinus/allergy. Working out is great for sinuses/lunges/health and my dietary changes have helped me control any reflux without any meds at all. I don't take any medications at all, not even Zyrtec anymore. 

Another thing I would recommend to pay really close attention to your symptoms: try to isolate and figure out what the triggers are: time of the day, weather conditions, food/drinks, any locations/rooms etc A bit of Sherlock Holmes investigation might give you some big clues about your condition.

Wish you the best

Laszlo

Thank you so much, I have a feeling of hope again.  Please could you tell me which country you live in?  I am in the UK so am at the mercy of NHS doctors.  (I can't afford to go private).  Please tell me who is this magical doctor??  I want to see him!  Did you manage to get your ears to give the big pop?  My two biggest fears are that I am allergic to my therapy dog but the blood test didn't pick it up, or, seeing as I was diagnozed with breast cancer a few months ago (succesfully treated) that it could be a tumor.

Sorry to keep droaning on about Prednisolone, just try it for a short course and see what happens.  You need relief soon from this problem.  I've never felt better since starting them on the reducing method.  One course will not harm you.  I've had to take them on and off for years, but just shrt courses.  I'm asthmatic too, which is completely controlled these days, but years ago just had to take Prednisolone to dampen down all the inflammation in my lungs.  Ears can take absolutely months and months to finally clear, only to come back again....just try them and see, you won't be disappointed, trust me.  My sister in-law has been on them ages as has my neighbour, both of whom suffer Rhuematoid Arthritis, who can suffer that pain without help.  At least none of us are in pain, but the blocked ears feeling is just so awful.

Anne

What part of the country are you Alexia,

I have a brilliant ENT consultant that looks after me, nothing is too much trouble.  Maybe I'm treated well after my case of meningitis was proved negligence and the NHS wouldn't want it happening again.

Anne

Hi Anne,

I am in Wolverhampton  (long sad story!) 

I took my first dose of Prednisolone today, it may be wishful thinking but I think I feel a small difference. 

Please tell me who your ENT is - I'll travel anywhere!  Preferably in a plane because that pops my ears for a few seconds relief!

I'm retiring from public life unless these work.  I'm so tired of straining to hear people - it exhausts me.

Either that, or as you said - a knitting needle through the brain!

I'm off to learn sign language now

Thank you again so much Anne, you've made a really big difference in my life. xx

Moning Alexia,  I have just messaged you, but like you I'm losing the thread.  Wondering if you too are having trouble sleeping, sadly, a side affect of th Pred.  I'm in Kent and see a Mr Oyarzabal at the Medway Hospital in Gillingham...he's great !!  I think I'm repeating myself again, but forget who I've told all this too.  He sees me twice a year to check on possible polyps regrowth and my ears.  Sometimes when I've seen him things have been behaving, another time I've been clogges up and because of the perforation on left eardrum, he manages to suck out mucus.  If I'm bad in between appointment and know I can't get in to see him, we have a private hospital local to us and I see him there and have to pay for the treatment....there is no way when mine gets bad that I could leave it until he could see me on the NHS.  Again, a small price to pay to get sorted.  I must have had microscustion now at least 7 times on my left ear, but he says that's no problem.  I really wish there was an answer for this problem, but sadly, if there was none of us would still be suffering, and me after 34 years....mad isn't it ? Cancer is sometimes cureable, but something like blocked ears isn't, and it's all relative when something groans on and on and makes life miserable.  So your hearing must be very bad, that's sad.  You take care and let me know how the tablets are performing and hope you won't need another course for a very long time, if ever.  Not everyone experiences side effcts from taking them, but not being able to sleep certaily is one that affects me, also I can't satisfy my hunger either, so will have to watch my weight.

Take care

Anne