Diagnosed with Severe ETD but Could it Be Adenoids?
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi all, I'm posting with two goals:
a) to learn what, if any, strategies you have found for treating your ETD
b) to discover if anyone has confirmed ETD due to enlarged adenoids.
My story, in short is as follows:
I was an otherwise healthy 27 yo female until I was diagnosed with a severe strep infection in October and treated with antibiotics. The strep disappeared but my ears were still very painful and blocked. Two weeks later I was diagnosed with two ear infections, with pus behind the eardrums, and given a second course of antibiotics. These did nothing for the pain although the pus disappeared. A third course of anitbiotics several weeks after that did nothing as well. My doctor has diagnosed me with Severe ETD but cannot tell me what is causing it or what I can do about it. I have an appointment with an ENT for FOUR MONTHS from now and am waiting to hear about a date for the CT scan that was ordered on my sinuses.
I am wondering what you all have tried to alleviate the pain and pressure (which I am now feeling in my neck below my ears, moreso than in my actual ear canals/inner ears) and if any of you have had your ETD tied to abnormally large adenoids?
In addition to the three courses of antibiotics I've taken in the past 3 months, I have also tried a prescription steriod nasal spray for a week but I am already prone to nosebleeds and ended up in the hospital due to 6 hours worth of nosebleeds in a 24 hour period, so had to discontinue.
Saline neti-pot style nasal rinse was also a failure due to nosebleeds.
I have been to a naturopath and am supplementing with vitamins and herbs in the hopes of supporting my immune system; I do the Valsalva Manouver at least a few times a day; I have tried OTC decongestants and antihistamines; I sleep sitting up; I have a warm mist humidifier going every night; I have tried Vicks inhalant with the humidifier; I suck on Halls extra-strength menthol lozenges almost constantly; I avoid the cold and loud noises as much as possible; I get at least 8 hours of sleep every night (sometimes up to 13); and finally, I drink 3L of water a day and have a relatively healthy diet (yes to the occasional serving of ice cream but no to fast food).
I honestly don't what else to do! I am losing my mind with the pain and exhaustion I seem to have been feeling forever (week 14 right now) and I would so appreciate some guidance!
My doctor has prescribed Tramacet as a band-aid solution to get me through until my ENT appointment but it does nothing for the pain and makes me loopy while I'm on it and foggy the next day so it's not really an option as I work full time...
Please help!
0 likes, 7 replies
laszlo14520 SJT925
Posted
Could you provide a little more details on exactly what your symptoms/complaints are and what if anything makes them flair up (any small detail can help, any triggers or situatons/time of the day when it's worse etc)?
SJT925 laszlo14520
Posted
Hi,
symptoms include a feeling of fullness in the ears and down the neck and pain associated with that (sometimes stabbing pain in the ears but usually just a very strong ache in all areas).
Occasionally, while talking in a lower tone, it feels like something in my throat is vibrating up into my eardrum.
My jaw around my ear (on my cheek and under my ear) feels tender.
I can feel a hard lump (almost like a very small kidney bean) under my jaw/ear on both sides and it is tender as well (I've been told it's "just lymph nodes" but my lymph swelling has gone down; I looked like I had 3 chins in November but I now look normal to others, even though I can tell there is still some swelling).
I have a dulled sense of hearing in terms of both listening to others and when I am talking myself (I sound a bit muffled to myself, this is especially noticeable when I raise my voice).
Cold causes sharp pain (not immediately but after a while).
I feel like my ear drum is vibrating (very painfully!) when I'm around loud noises (and I am an educator for children ages 11-13 so this is unfortunately a regular occurance).
I feel fluid draining down my thoat on occasion but my sinuses are not congested and I can breathe freely through my nose.
My throat feels swollen but (3) doctors tell me it looks fine. These same doctors have also told me my ears look fine.
I cannot lie down, even on my back, as the pain in my ears increases too much. Even when I take two Tramacet before bed, I wake up in the night with an uncomfortable sense of fullness in my ears (especially the one on which I was resting my head while sleeping).
I'm not sure what else to share... I don't seem to have too many triggers, nor does the time of day affect it, it is just a constant state of pain for me right now.
SJT925
Posted
I do not, nor have I ever, smoked. I do not drink alcohol. I limit my caffeine intake to 2 espresso shots between 7:00 and 8:00 am. I eat very little dairy, gluten, sugar, or processed foods. I exercise regularly (or, I did until this began!). I am at a complete loss as to what could be causing this and therefore have no idea what else to try to get rid of it!
laszlo14520 SJT925
Posted
Sorry about all the suffering you're going through. Based on your description of your symptoms, I would suggest to look into Silent Reflux, also known as Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. Not to be confused with acid relfux or GERD, silent reflux usually doesn't cause heartburn, only coughing, throat pain/irritation and sinus issues including stuffy nose and eustachian tube dysfunction. You can read about it online in detail.
You mentioned that you're suffering with throat paint and also that it gets worse when you lay down. Unfortunately laying down can often make reflux worse and the most common treatment for silent reflux is 2x day Nexium (or similar proton inhibitor).
For diagnosis, you could start with a larynx scope at your local ENT and you could also visit a gastro doctor to have a full esophagus scope done. However please keep in mind, that many suffereres of silent reflux don't actually show damage to their esophagus. It only takes a small amount of acid to reach the throat/sinus area and your body immediately goes into defensive mode and will statt producing thicker mucus to protect the lining of the larynx (throat). One of the symptoms of chronic silent reflux is ETD. You can find some useful information on Dr.Oz's writeup on this, just google the article online.
Of course I'm not an expert and can't say for sure that this is what you're suffering from, but it's worth to look into it. I suffered for nearly 3 years with similar symptoms and finally I'm doing better for the past 3-4 months. What helped me was changing my diet to eating smaller portions, cutting out alcohol and caffeine completely (switched to decaf) and working out 3 times a week including 15 mins cardio each time. Also, try to limit stress (I know it's hard in today's world), don't wear any tight clothes and don't eat after 7-8pm in the evening. Try to eat 4-5 a day smaller portions.
Hope this helps
SJT925 laszlo14520
Posted
Thank you for your response.
It's definitely not silent reflux; not unless my only relevant symptom is ETD (to clarify, my throat pain is occasional swelling, not irritation, and is not affected by lying down as my ears are).
Thank you again for taking the time to respond, at this point I'm looking into every possibility!
jenny16777 SJT925
Posted
Hi I'm kinda going through the same thing right now I have a cold and my ears are clogged and have pressure years ago when I first got ETD due to a cold my ent percsribed Me peridsone it's a steroid orally you take but the lowest dosages that popped my ears and the pressure got relieved but ears still have trouble but at least the pressure and clogged feeling was gone you might want to try that
SJT925 jenny16777
Posted
Thanks! I'll ask my doctor!