Ear problem? 1 Yr on, GP little help and thing are getting bad: Headaches, dizzy, etc.

This is, I'm afraid, a long one, sorry.

This started about 15 months ago as one of my ears feeling like it was permanently blocked as if there was water in it. Around the same time, what I believe to be tinnitus started, predominantly on the same side as the blocked ear.

After a while, assuming it was just a head cold etc., it didn't clear but got slowly worse. I was also now starting to experience dizzy spells, almost like travel sickness, when walking etc.

A visit to the doctors later, he said the ear in question did show signs of fluid and fusion. I asked for an explanation of this, but nothing was forthcoming.

I was sent on my way with a prescription for Sudafed.

A month on, things had got worse. Blocked ear became more apparent, ringing in head louder, dizzy spells worse and now travel sickness was a real thing. Travelling in a car is not pleasant; walking the dogs is not great either.

Several doctor visits and nothing more was diagnosed, beyond getting old (55) and the offer of more Sudafed scripts. I was buying it over the counter by now.

Roll on 14 months and things and another appointment. By now, things are not good. Both ears feel blocked, headaches are constant, ranging from dull thudding to having to spend some days with an ice pack on my head. Often feel sick, always get travel sickness, even when walking. Balance is terrible. Head rushes always after bending down.

I push the doctor for something more than the same-old; he suggests a brain scan to check there is nothing "bad going on" as all other avenues are now exhausted. I ask what other avenues, other than Sudafed? I get no noteworthy response.

I'm now four weeks into waiting for a brain scan that doesn't feel necessary; surely this is ear related?

Things are now really bad. Some days I don't feel like I can function. Head is constantly pounding, ears always blocked, nose always running. Any sudden movement makes me feel dizzy and sick.

I contact the doctor again. I say: Surely to god you need to be looking more into how this started: My ears, opposed to waiting for a brain scan. After an exchange, he admits he has no real idea what is going on, so he will ask for advice from others. He'll get back to me in "a few weeks".

I'm dumbfounded. And annoyed.

I feel nothing has been done to looking into this, besides a few phones and surgery visits where I've been given lip service. All the while, my life is slowly stopping. Only when pushed (really pushed) did I get anything I feel is his attention.

Other than a cursory look into one of my ears over a year ago and some basic balance tests, I don't think he's even attempted to diagnose the problem. Now, I've another month or so ait until he gets some advice.

I'm convinced this is an ear problem. But of course, I'm not a doctor. I can read all day on the internet for a potential cause of this, and of course, I have everything from a brain tumour to being pregnant (unlikely).

Advice, help and any input (other than I might be pregnant) are appreciated.

Me: 55, male, fit, very healthy. Don't drink (at all), don't smoke, not overweight, very active, run, ride and walk. Until this got bad I often competed in endurance events. Now the best I can manage is a gentle walk and an hour or two on a stationary bike. I try to do this daily, but often feel too poorly.

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