Ear pain possibly due to ETD

Posted , 3 users are following.

I've been living with what I'm told is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction for over 5 years now and have yet to get relief.

It started with the worst ear pain I ever experienced, then an ear infection, but the discomfort never totally went away.

Since then I have been dealing with daily pain and discomfort, clicking in the ears, and pressure that won't stay consistent so I'm constantly moving my jaw or blowing my nose to push the pressure through my ears, only for it to last for a minute or two.

The pain is worse with consumption of alcohol.

I've seen 10+ ENTs, with no solution.

I have seasonal allergies, allergy shots didn't work. Taking a decongestant like sudafed didn't work. Nasal sprays, allergy medicine, nothing works.

How do I get relief from this daily pain and discomfort??

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1 Reply

  • Posted

    Hi,

    I am sorry you are having to live with this.

    I have similar symptoms and a similar experience.

    It started off in October 2017 in my right ear and then started getting the symptoms 8 months later in my left ear.

    My symptoms were ear pain, fullness of ears, muffled hearing, dizziness and feeling off balance. I also hear a popping and crackling sound in my ears and suffering with tinnitus.

    My doctors gave me all different nasal sprays etc and tried neilmeds which didnt work. I eventually got a referral to the ENT specialists at my local hospital. I had an MRI scan and a camera up my nose.

    ENT specialist said everything was normal but it could be ETD and only option was to have grommet surgery. So I had the surgery and the symptoms came back after 2 weeks. Went back to specialist who said there was nothing they could do but to take painkillers. I went to my GP who offered me anti-depressants to help with my symptoms. I took them as I was desperate and they helped. I was offered them before I was offered the surgery and I wish I had taken them. They stopped working after about 8 months.

    I researched online for ages and came across articles about TTTS tonic sensor tympanic syndrome which is an anxiety based condition and can cause tinnitus. It says magnesium supplements can help so I took them and they have. I do still get some symptoms mostly pain but its manageable and its not constant.

    My GP said she would give me a referral to a private hospital but its expensive. I am still considering this.

    If you havent done so already, maybe go back to your GP and see if they give you a private referral. I was told that if its not on the NHS website, specialists at normal hospitals cant diagnose you with it. Be persistent with them and dont let them fob you off.

    Hope this helps

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