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ETD what is the underlying cause??

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j71922
j71922

So I have had ONLY my left ear crackling and popping for over two years now. I never had allergy or sinus issues before but I have since been diagnosed with allergic rhinosinusitis, however it is not clear what exactly it is that I am allergic to. The thing that makes me feel like my ETD is not assocated with the allergies is the fact that only ONE ear is affected. If it was from allergic inflammation wouldn't both ears be affected? Also can anyone else get the clicking/ popping noise in their ear from moving their head and neck around? When i pull my chin in towards my neck and then move it back out my ear pops. This makes me feel like it could be a muscular problem (i.e. tight muscles). Not sure if everyone has this or not. I have been tested for TMJ and it has been found that I do not have TMJ. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • sally39750
    sally39750 j71922

    Posted

    Who did your TMJ testing?  I wouldn't trust their judgment unless you went to a TMJ specialist like a neuromuscular dentist or orofacial pain specialist.  I had zero jaw pain but I do have arthritis in the right TMJ.  

    My right ear is worse than my left but I do get the fullness, popping and cracking on both sides.  

    I was recently diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome and I am in physical therapy for it.  The therapist mentioned my facial muscles were really tight and said ETD and TMD are usually connected.  

    I had a bite splint made back in April but I just didnt think my ETD could be due to the TMD because of the sinus issue. I would drain and drain or get blocked like glue. I could feel my ears act up as my sinuses did.   Then I read TMD can cause sinus problems.  I started wearing the splint and my ear symptoms cleared up by about 70%.  

    I recently read and article that said..  if a patient presents with chronic sinusitis and ETD with no physical or apparent cause then TMD is very likely the culprit.  

    My orofacial pain specialist is faxing a PT order to my therapist so she can add TMD treatment to my plan.  We hope to get started on that thurs.  

    BTW, I have zero jaw pain.  She also said that most of the time TMD is caused by muscles and not an actual defect.  

    • j71922
      j71922 sally39750

      Posted

      What makes you think it is TMD? Doesn't it seem like allergies are a more likely culprit? 

    • ann1013
      ann1013 j71922

      Posted

      I was told I had allergies by every doctor I saw except for one.  I was also diagnosed with food allergies.  I followed a super strict diet for 2 mos with little to no improvement.  I take allergy medications (azelastine nasal spray, flonase nasal spray and zyrtec pills) and it doesn't make any difference in my sinus drainage and ears.  

      I moved out of my home with dogs and cats and and in with my mother who has no pets and a spotless home with no dust.  No improvement.  There was nothing there for me to be allergic to!  

      I had a sinus CT and my sinuses are perfect.  There is no reason for the sinusitis.  

      I had no idea TMJ could cause sinusitis, tight muslces, neck and shoulder pain and ETD. 

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