Ear problems please help!!

Posted 8 years ago, 3 users are following.

rachel26938

Hi, i really need some help last june i came over all dizzy and it was like i needed a sugar fix since that day my head feels fuzzy, i feel off balance like im falling i jerk when falling to sleep i get pressure movement in my ears and slight tinnitus if i go over a hill etc. Its ruining my life ive seen 5 GPs and only 4 have reported fluid behind the ear drum and nasal sprays. Still hasnt gone was refered to an ENT doc and he said there nothing there sent me for an MRI cane back clear but said i have a curve in lect nostril nothing he can do so discharged me i then see another ENT doc who said im to have a hearing test which will no doubt come bk ok as im not deaf in any way. So out of 7 proffesionals only 4 have seen said fluid "/ im only 27 and i have 2 children i cant live like this!!!! Anyone been in the same boat? Thank u xx

1 like, 100 replies

100 Replies

charmayne28375 rachel26938

Posted 8 years ago

I forgot to mention he still wants me to have a hearing test which he seems to think is really important. I also mentioned grommets and he thinks they would probably make me worse. He also mentioned it could be caused by acid reflux (I've had trouble with this in the past 7 months) not sure if you've ever experienced this also but the main reasons he gave me for my blocked ear and dizziness was inflammation caused by allergies sinus infection or acid reflux
No definitive diagnosis
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Yes ive had acid reflux! I also have a swollen lump under my ear its a sign of infection but i just see ENT and he said he cant see nothing wrong still!!!! Grrrrr he said lump will go down on its own. He has tho referred me to an audiologist and balance expert! Apparently the audiologist specilizes in balance and ear probs! Oooo CT scan seems promising! Is that to look for fluid? X
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Hmmm ent said it could be due to acid reflux! Have they put you on medication for it? Might be worth cutting some food out to see if it helps! Could be getting to the bottom of this! Most doctors don't see the link between the stomach and the face/ear/head but I've read so many articles saying that it can definitely cause our symptoms!! It's defiantly a possibility and something to think about!
  Ct for sinuses hopefully if it's that it will show fluid or a blockage. My two theories are that its either due to the acid reflux or its chronic sinusitis.
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  My last reply is waitin to be modified coz i swore lol and cant remember wot i wrote . Hav u got meds for acid? I have it often but not continuous. Im glad im goin to audiologist they can check the middle ear aswell. Whens ur scan ?
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Had it yesterday so results either this afternoon or tomorrow but they go straight to my ent so hoping he calls if he sees something or I might call him anyway just so I know. My hearing test isn't until the 18th I don't know what that will prove to him anyway he seems to think it's really important.
  Apparently enough acid reflux can cause inflammation which causes your blocked ear.. Hmm could be a reason. When do you have audiologist?
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Glad that the results will b back soon. Not sure when i have audiologist yet ENT refered me tonite so hopefully not long!!! Oh really have u got meds for acid?? My ENT was banging on about a hearing test becoz it rules out fluid if u have fluid ull be deaf but im not sure as ive been told ive got fluid by so many ppl but ENT refuse bco hearing test is fine! X
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Strange...ent said i dont have fluid when he checked first appointment (back in December) but he didnt check again this time just said he could still see congestion in my nose. Yes on meds for acid reflux have been on them since my first appointment so about 8 weeks but only a half dose so yesterday he upped it to a full dose (40mg) will see how i go with it.
- chris11339 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  fluid at the back of the eardrum can come and go.
  there is a pressure test they can do that shows if you have fluid but an ent specialist can see by the look of the ear drum if you have fluid I have suffered fluid for years and know when mines is around because I can feel it moving when I tilt my head
  I have tubes in both ears at the minute and have also had many grommets over the years 2 stop the fluid as mines was cronic grommets only give a temporary solution
  if you believe clearing the fluid will help you buy decongestant meds (sudafed) as that will give u relief in a few days
  hopefully you get relief soon
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Yh my ENT said i had congestion in my throat. Its getting me so down having a bad day today with my balance :'(
- rachel26938 chris11339
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Thank you! So fed up with it. Its the off balance i hate. And also the 2 ENT cant see nothing wrong and hearing tests are fine but 7 GPs have seen fluid agrghhhh
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Went to docs today as have had pains in my ears to be told theres no fluid but my Eustachian tube is blocked!!! How are you doing x
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Did they give you anything to help?
  Have been eating very strict to avoid reflux and see if that helps. Have been okay quite odd balance and sometimes have a full head feeling. How are you?
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Stronger antibiotics as im still congested! Got pains in my ears! Can defo relate to wierd off balance and heavy head!! Thats me most days. Have u got ur scan results? X
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  No ent didn't call so I assume that means they are clear. Might call on Monday to check anyway for peace of mind. Hope antibiotics help. Ent said I'm still cobgested to and that's what's causing the blocked ear but I've been on antibiotics twice. This is just hard. I'm hoping it's the reflux if not I don't know what it is. Doing a detox diet where I only eat alkaline food for 2 weeks will see it it helps
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Hoping ther all clear for u aswell. Ive been lookin up hopi ear candle Treatment might give that a go. So annoying how were told we are congested but no ansa to help us. I feel so down with it at the mo i just want it to go. 8months this month x
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Don't know how you've done it for so long. I'm hoping I don't get to that point. 12 weeks for me today that's long enough!! All my ent said was nasal spray and give it time but when I first saw him back in December he said by the time I see you next you won't be dizzy anymore well he was wrong! Don't feel like he understood my problems. He also told me it was okay to fly so I hope it is
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  I think a lot of ENTs are brushing this undr the carpet its not good enough! I hope your ok to fly also i didnt think you could maybe get a second opinion x
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  My gp said I couldn't but the ent said I could. Not that I really trusted he knew what was going on. Not that I have much choice can't miss my sisters wedding!! Just hoping I don't get bad over in nz or I might have to stay there to avoid the flight back. All I'm doing now is focusing on the diet in case it is acid reflux will let you know how I go. Am taking lots of vitamins too. Are you taking any?
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Mayb pop your ears b4 the flight. I hope u are ok to go. Na im not taking any vitamins. Im on really stromg antibiotics so am hoping it all clears . Hows ur dizziness x
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  I've got my ear popper to try pop the outside its just my right ear is still blocked it's never unblocked since this started. Hoping I don't get any pain. Usually it happens worse when you land so if I get some pain at least it shouldn't be for long. How are you feeling on atibiotics? Think I might go to gp again and just tell him everything and see what he says. It's so hard ;( dizziness is okay sometimes I just feel woozy and just off balance worse and then I get confused and can't find things easily it's horrible I'm 24 but feel 100...
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Got my ct results.. All normal.. So if it's not sinus issues I don't know what it is.. Having a bad day with my balance today... Going to my gp tomorrow to just tell him everything and see if there's anything he can do and might go and see another ent. The only answer I have right now is that I have nasal congestion yet 12 weeks on I'm still having lightheadedness 24/7 having bad days where my balance is even worse.. I had some good days and I kept thinking I might be better but there has to be something wrong that has to be treated for me to be getting worse days..
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Thats so weird . Hmmmmm maybe book an audiologist test? I dont know about where you live but here in the UK they do them for free at most Optitions. Ive got mine at 9:50am so i will let you know. If you look up what they do they are experts in middle ears maybe worth a shot?! And they have the power to refer you and they specialise in balance problems! X
- rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Also has anyone looked in your throat or nose? I have congestion all in the throat which is why ive been given meds. Theres a reason out tubes are inflamed x
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Yes ent looked into both saw congestion in the nose and also acid reflux in the throat/near my voice box. That's all he found and just gave nasal spray for nose. Will look up audiologist. I was having a look at balance clinics they are only in Sydney and I'm about 1 hr 30 away and I need a referral. Will see what go thinks tomorrow
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  So they need to tackle the congestion maybe stronger antibiotics? Defo look for audiologist they specialise in ear and balance let me know if you find one and ill let u no how my app goes xx
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  I looked up audiologist but they only test hearing here.. I had two rounds of antibiotics already as well as steroids they didn't mention stronger ones I had amoxicillin.
  Hope it goes well xx
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Give them a call and explain ur symptoms and ask if its worth a visit. They do in depth screening of the ears so will be able to tell even if tiny hairs in ur middle ear have fluid on! I was on amoxicillin no joy and now im on amoxiclav x
- rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Ok dont bother with a local audiologist mine was absolut poo lol just a hearing test. Grrrr. He said as the ENT has refered me to an audiologist they will do more in depth screening also the balance expert i just cant wait for the referal now im going to chase them up tomo! Mayb ask your GP to refer u to a balance specialist? Think its a vestibular specialist x
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Yes I might do that as well.
  I looked up all the balance disorders and it doesn't seem to be any especially with the other symptoms I have but I'm going to talk to my gp and see if he has any other ideas of what it might be.
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Im jus at a dead end and the ENT are no good. Apprently dizziness can be caused by anxiety or a side effect to tablets ive ruled this out but maybe an idea ? X
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  The only consistent medication I'm on is contraceptive pill and I've been on it for 7 years unlikely to be the cause surely. I don't feel like it would be anxiety since my ear is blocked it just seems unlikely and nothing bad was going it when it happened.. I don't know..going to see go soon but I'm having a really really bad day yesterday was bad too really lost my balance and feel very confused and all over the place..don't know what's happening now..
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Awww bless you same as me ive been on the pill ages so defo ruled that out. Why cant they do something if your ear is blocked? Prob coz u can hear. Stay strong i had a crappy day the other day with my balance am not to bad at the mo but evetytime i think im getting better bam its back x
- rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  And the confusion i get i cant remeber anything not like how i used to j have to write everything on a calender and even then i forget 😫
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Went to gp ended up bawling my eyes out to him this is all so frustrating and felt really bad and off balance this morning and shaking (think it was because of the diet I was trying was not eating enough for 4 days)
  Anyway the gp said he's pretty sure it's all because of my hiatial hernia and acid reflux coming up and inflaming my nose and blocking my ear etc. he's referring me to another gastroentologist and might end up having surgery. Sigh hopefully something works
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Im glad he's referring you. I have acid aslo but not sure if its enough to cause this altho i will mention to my GP. How are you feeling today? My partner said maybe we are drinking or eating or taking the same med to cause this prob?? Worth a look so ill start... I take cerelle contraceptive pill. Sertraline anti depressent. I drink alot of tropical juice and cups of tea with 5 sugars lol no water at all. I eat alot of pasta and pizza. (My diet is terrible im so fussy). Would be funny if there was a link that were both taking the same thing lol. X
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  I didn't realise I had acid reflux and it was doing this although I had the Hiatial hernia diagnosed 5 months ago I thought the symptoms had gone so went off the medication. Mention it anyhow cause there's just not much known about it and it can do things people don't even know about like effect your head it's crazy! I am on levlen ed (contraceptive pill) and pantoprazole (acid suppressor) and avamys (nasal spray) other than that it's vitamins probiotics multi vitamins olive leaf, one for migraines, iron and magnesium
  Eating habits hmm right now pretty strict: no coffee or tea or juice since this started just water no meat except fish have been gluten free for ages now and off dairy that's mainly to keep acid reflux at bay. I eat a lot of pasta but it's gluten free hmm don't see a link yet.. Unless it is acid ya never know just keep it in mind will let you know how I go. I've had a terrible day so off balance and shaky and confused and just out of it spent the day in bed. Hope I feel better tomorrow started eating more again as I wasn't eating enough so good have done it to me.
- charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  How have you been feeling?
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Hmmm there isnt a link worth ago tho! Defo sounds a link being acid. Aww bless u ive had days like that also to the point i feel im gunna pass out! Not eating much triggers it more if im hungry i feel awful. So make sure u try keep ur appetite up. Im not bad at the min im on antibiotics i sort of feel better on them not 100% but not as dizzy. Got 3more days left of them they give me terrible acid and feel so sick after i take them but its much better then dizzy! X
- rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Do you smoke? I smoke cigarettes x
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Yes it does seem the only link we have is acid..hmm I didn't even think it could be this when it first started. Nope never smoked cigarettes no alcohol since I've been on this I know it would make it worse. I was drinking the night before this all hit me..wonder if it triggered it. I was feeling better on antibiotics too but then still didn't fix me. Yeah ask about acid when you next get a chance they could give you meds for it and try gaviscon at night before bed
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Yh im gunna try get an app. Ive cut down fags... Milk helps my throat i just dont no alot about acid reflux all ino is i feel i have a lump in my throat and it burns and feels like its coming bk up x has ur acid eased at all? X
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Definitely sounds like you have acid reflux symptoms! Do you get these everyday?Most of it is about finding what triggers it I know that main triggers are full fat dairy, chocolate tea and coffee tomatoes acidic food eg lemons. All the fun stuff My reflux symptoms have eased a lot since I stopped dairy (4 weeks ago)But I still seem to get minor symptoms what ever I eat and trying the fully alkaline diet eating nothing acidic at all was just too much for me to handle and I was still getting mucus as well. And the congestion is still there even with the eating but maybe just some more time of being careful what I'm eating etc will help but gp said I might have to look at surgery
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Everyone has different symptoms though for me it started with chronic pain now it's mainly mucus which is the acid coming up. Ent did find acid when he put a camera down my nose but he said it was minor.. But it's obviously worse than he thought
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  I get it most days! I think the pure juice i drink triggers it as its worse after it. Im gunna try to switch to aloe vera drinks as apparently it eases acid alot! Trying to get an app with the doc to ask him. I havent had a camera or anything and i never thought to mention acid to GP or ENT. Ive got pressure in my ear today quite bad ... Random as hell ino but i have family in australia (ino its a big place) but would be funny if you knew them ...Thea richardson and pia naylor and paige cramp. There all around your age would be funny lol x
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  When I saw the ent the first time he put a camera down my nose and saw the reflux then. Surprised they didn't do the same for you!! Alovera juice is great just make sure it has no added acid or its bad. And try not to eat to late at night can be worse for it and raise the bed (I've just don't this tlast night and it seemed to help a lot) I just put a pillow under my mattress.
  It's not typical of acid reflux to do this at all but it definitely does it's just not widely known and this is why people don't help but I've had the ent and the gp tell me this is what it is now so hopefully gastro specialist confirms and helps. I'm trying to find someone who's gone through these symptoms with reflux as well and I'm wondering why I'm having these symptoms!! Most people don't and the dizziness is the worst!!
  No I don't know them..we've been in Australia 3 1/2 years but have moved a bit don't know too many people here. Hoping to move back to nz this year and have family around. Is just me and my husband here we moved here together.
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Im not sure why they havent looked but im defo gunna get an app with GP and ask. Thanks for that advice i will try tonight. Also its weird how antibiotics make us feel better on them but not after..?! I had a look on google acid reflux and dizziness and there was a link to this site with ppl who had the dizziness with it maybe have a look or even on the dizziness or acid forum on here. Is your throat also red? So hoping we get answers soon x
- rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Prob becoz i never mentioned acid to them bcoz they seem to giv you 30seconds to explain ur symptoms! X
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  I don't see that my throat is red but the ent saw that it was when he looked it's just weird that the acid has come up far enough to effect us like this.. Doesn't seem to be common. It's just the acid has come up far enough enough times to cause inflammation in our Eustachian tubes, blocking the ear and that causes the dizziness..
  See I went off the acid reflux medication a couple months before this dizziness started because I saw a gp who said I wasn't having typical acid reflux symptoms so being off the meds and eating whatever must have caused this
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Hmmmm so can you back on the tablets now? It might relieve you. Ive got an app with GP on 26th!!!!! My throat is red but not sore and feel like i have a lump there defo gunna ask to b refered to someone as this is getting a joke. We have to diagnose ourselves! Cant believe ent didnt look down as he looked at my throat and said it was res and congested
- rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Also i dont get if it is acid why does antibiotics relieve us
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Yes I am back on the tablets now I've been on a half dose for 9 weeks and a full dose for 1 1/2 weeks now plus taking gaviscon. They don't really seem to help except you get a dry mouth.Yes I'm surprised ent didn't look it was the first thing he did to me and I even saw the acid on the camera but even then he didn't realise that was the main problem he also thought I had allergic rhinitis until I had a blood allergy test that was all negative. My gp said I'd probably have to have surgery to fix my Hiatial hernia but I'm worried cause I keep reading how it causes complications for people and how it doesn't always work so I don't know if it's worth it but how else am I gonna fix this problem if foods not working..will let you know how appt on Monday goes and hopefully he has some ideas at least I'm going to him with 12 weeks of suffering and having tried everything
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  No me either maybe we just think it's helping? Or maybe it just helps a bit cause it's stronger meds not sure
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Hiya sorry haven't been in touch had a busy couple days. So ive finished my antibiotics and slowly the off balance is returning how did ur app go? X
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Hmm so antibiotics seem to help then? Well I have a few updates. Last week I was having a bad week being extremely off balance not being able to walk and being stuck in bed all week was the worst I've been since the beginning of this sickness..I went to doc and he told me its vertigo and gave me a low dose of Valium(diazepam) which has helped and have been feeling a lot better than I have in a while (although a bit off today). Went to gastro specialist he was great and told me that he has never met or heard of anyone that has had these symptoms because of acid reflux he also doesn't think I have typical symtpms of reflux so we are doing a gastroscopy on Wednesday to find out if I do still have acid or not. So fingers crossed I don't and we can cross it off the list but that means it's a bit of a mystery still. Might be off to the nuerologist next. Hearing test on Thursday but I'm pretty sure I'm fine. My ear hasn't been bothering me as much. I've been very tired today and vision is off and hard to focus. What's the next step for you? Will let you know how I go on wed and thurs
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Yh they do which is wierd lol unless its mind ova matter? Hmm valium isnt that an anti depressent? Im on an anti d and i said to my partner im going to up the dose to see if it removes the dizziness. Ive got a friend that suffered dizziness and had mri etc and then was put on anti d and all symptoms went away. No my ear isnt bothering me eithet its jus the dizziness mayb out anxiety or mind is hanging on to the feeling?! X
- rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Do u feel as tho the room is moving around u or u feel as tho ur movin x
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Am wondering that to. What dose are you on? I'm only on 2.5mg 3 times a day. Yes it's anti depressant but it's also used to treat dizziness and it's helped so I'm wondering if a higher dose will help to. I can only take Valium as I'm allergic to most anti dizziness medication. I have read a lot about our symtpms and how anti depressants helped so it's definitely something to look further into. I have had mindfulness therapy help chronic pain I've had in the past so I know that anxiety or depression can lead to physical pain I just can't believe it would all come on so bad and for so long like this
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  It's a feeling that I'm moving. Well that's with the vertigo I had. My normal symptoms are more of a lightheadedness or wooziness like being drunk but I also have off balance like I feel like I'm going to trip or bang into walls a bit and then there's the confusion that goes on top of it. What about you?
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Yes i to feel like that and also if i move my head to fast i feel all discombobulated. I feel light headed some times heavy headed like im going to fall over and like im movin. I am on an ssri and the lowest does which is 50mg ( but its a weeker form) they go up tp 500-600mg. Where valium is a finer cut so is stronger. No i didnt no it could be this bad and i was really hoping it wasnt my anxiety but having not much help from docs it seems to be an ansa. See i think about how i feel continually aswell do u? X
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  I also have the thing where I feel uncomfortable with moving my head. Like I feel like I have to keep it straight sometimes and some days it's very heavy. How is your vision? Mine is off and world doesn't feel clear and things are a bit blurry long distance and I find it hard to focus. Yep I'm always thinking about my symtpms and what's going on. I worry a lot! And I've always been a worrier and have trouble with anxiety in the past. This just happened at such a good time though we just moved to a house by the beach I got a new job grr I don't want it to be anxiety! Maybe try Valium then? The pills I have are 5mg but I take a half tablet.
- charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  I just noticed we've had about 91 replies on this discussion lol. Maybe it would be easier to email or talk on Facebook?
- rachel26938 charmayne28375
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Ues exact same as me!!!! I worry about takin tabs aswell so ill talk to my GP to see if uping my tabs will help i was praying it wasnt my anxiety 😭. But all else seems to be failing! Omg 91 comments lol yess we should talk on fb! My name is rachel bailey i dont know if im searchable whats ur name ill av a look for u x
- rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  My pic is a black and white pic of my 2 sons x
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Charmayne loader should be easy to find think it's the only one. Wedding pic as profile :p
- charmayne28375 rachel26938
  
  Posted 8 years ago
  
  Wow there are so many Rachel baileys. You should be able to find me :p

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