Doctors won't listen
Posted , 3 users are following.
My symptoms include constant popping/crackling and mild fullness, but the main symptom that drives me insane is the "drippy" feeling! For as long as I can remember (I'm 28 now) I have had this "drippy" feeling. I notice it mostly when I lay on my side. For instance, if I'm laying on my right side, it will feel as though there is liquid dripping inside my left ear and vice versa. Sometimes when I am upright it will feel as though a bucket of water has tipped over in my head. It will get so bad at times that it wakes me from my sleep. I have also noticed when it gets especially bad I will have increased dark yellow/brown wax in my ears. I also have year-round allergies. I have gone through the immunotherapy shots and I take an antihistamine, use nasal spray and use a Neti-pot daily. I am starting to feel hopeless because despite these measures I do not have relief. When I have discussed this with doctors (PCPs, ENTs, allergists), they tell me my ears look fine and to continue with my allergy medication. One doctor had me on antibiotics for a few days about two years ago, but that did not change anything. I had a CT scan around that same time, but there was no evidence of fluid build-up. I don't know what to do. I feel like nobody takes me seriously. I read on this forum that Prednisone could help, but how do I go about requesting that? Is that something the doctor would just give me? I was on that for three-ish days before I started my allergy shots back in 2014, but once again, I noticed no difference (it was only three days, though). Are there any exercises, supplements, tools, alternative healthcare providers, etc. that have helped any of you?
1 like, 7 replies
terrie27149 ash89
Posted
Ash, Anne will explain about the med. My ent told me to pop my ears 20 to 30x a day..can't do tht..I'm lucky to do it 5x ..I still have the full ear tht drives me batty..not all the time tho thankfully. Not sure what can help, Anne swears by steroid spray I believe. But I belueve she said you have ro take that at least 3 weeks b4 u c a difference. Sure hope wr all get help..
ash89 terrie27149
Posted
Yikes! Mine are constantly popping, but when I try to hold my nose and blow out I feel like I'm going to pass out and my ears don't pop, so I never try that anymore. Thanks for your input!
anne05078 terrie27149
Posted
terrie, If you are prescribed a steroid spray, you will have to be on it long term
and it won't start to work immediately. Prednisolone is the only way forward
to get a quick response from ETD....but a long enough course for it to work.
Anne
terrie27149 anne05078
Posted
Yea I'm going to stay on it for awhile Anne cuz it really does help. It's like all the weird stuff in my head isn't as bad..I'm thinkin ent wants me on it awhile cuz he asked was I still using it and I said I was and he said good..so what about 4 to 6 weeks? Then oly as needed are my plans..
anne05078 ash89
Posted
Hello Ash, You do sound in a bad way. If you have read any of my posts, it's me that's always
recommending Prednisolone tablets. I suffer just like you and I must say it's the weirdest feeling
having that dripping sensation. I would definitely say you're suffering from Eustachian Tube
Dysfunction.
Last year in April I was prescribed by my brilliant ENT consultant a 20 reducing course of the
steroid tablets. They clear all the inflammation and get rid of the the fluid, which is in fact mucus.
I too suffer allergies and sinusitis. you're lucky that the mucus doesn't affect your ears more by
making them block up badly, like it does mine.
I live in England and am lucky that I am able to be prescribed Flixonase Nasule Drops. They're
brilliant and keep me clear of all you're suffering. I now only use them when I get Post Nasal Drip,
and ear blocking, which is approximately every 6/7 days. Because the Nasules are stronger than
the steroid sprays, one should be on them for longer than 6 weeks, however, with me only using
them as and when I've been told that's fine.
You can ask your doctor for the prednisolone, but as I've mentioned so many times before to
people it must be a longer enough course to work. It's the blessed allergies that causes is to
make too much mucus. Try Cetrizine antihistamine....they work fine for me.
Good luck and hope you get sorted soon, as I know how miserable and frustrating this
condition is.
Anne
anne05078
Posted
Sorry that should have read shouldn't be on the Flixonase longer than 6 weeks and not should.
Also try using Quercetin and Bromelain supplements, they are supposed to help
with inflammation. I also take a good quality Multivitamin.
Anne
ash89 anne05078
Posted
I will have to take a closer look at my nasal spray to see if it is a steroid spray. I will also have to talk with my doctor about the prednisone treatment. I am very interested to see if that could get rid of some of the inflammation and I could then continue with my current treatments to try to stay on top of things. I just can't believe I have had this my whole life and never knew it wasn't normal for the longest time! So frustrating! Thanks so much for your input, it is greatly appreciated!