Ear problems for 1 +1/2 year.
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Greetings,
For one and a half year, I have had problems that pertain to my ear. Specifically, I have had:
pain in my left ear,
painful eyes
tinnitus (hearing my own pulse on left ear, usually when it was very quiet, noticed it at night),
bouts of dizziness,
IMMENSE fatigue (sleeping for 12 hours and feeling very tired, unable to wake up easily/function with 8 hours of sleep or less).
Also, the entry to my ear canal (and I presume the entire canal) is swollen, as in a cotton swab will fit through the entry to my right ear canal, but not through my left ear unless I push it.
I have visited at least 5 different ENTs in that time period,with some attributing the above to ear infections, labyrinthitis, psoriasis and whatnot. I've had an MRI and a CT scan in that time period as well as blood tests and all results were clean, with the exception of a slight deviation in my nasal septum, on the same side with the problematic ear. However, the deviation was considered minor by all doctors,as in couldn't be responsible for my symptoms.
I have been on multiple courses of antibiotics with little to no effect.
Three months ago, after extensive online research, I concluded that the cause of my problems was a Tempomandibular Joint Dysfunction, as a result of bruxism. I've had bruxism since before 2015, but I hadn't used the soft biteplate provided by my dentist.I started using it every night without exception as soon as I made the aforementioned realisation.
After talking with my dentist, he concluded that this is indeed the cause of the problems I've faced after conducting an examination, and I insisted on getting an oral splint that would allow no movement of my lower jaw during nighttime.
Since then (a week ago), I have noticed a reduction in the feeling of fatigue ,eye strain,however my ear canal remains swollen, as in my pinky will fit into my right ear but hardly into my left one. Also, the ear canal remains painful to the touch, but I have no pain when applying pressure on my tragus or pulling down on my earlobe. To help mediate the swelling, I am using over the counter drops for outer ear infections with little to no effect, except mitigating the pain slightly because they contain cortisone.
Is it possible that the swelling is caused by my TMJ dysfunction and will subside with time?
Do I have an outer ear infection? If so, why do the drops not work?
Should I visit an ENT?
Info about me:
I am 22 years old, I weigh 78 kg and I am 180cm tall.I am a university student so being "down" takes a big toll on my work and my psychology in general.
Thanks in advance.
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davidgreene p70993
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