Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Cure
Posted , 60 users are following.
As far as I know, there is not ETD cure, yet. I am interested in finding one. I am a Caucasian 34 year old man living in Santa Clara, CA. I have a BA in Psychology and work in a Neuroscience Lab. I was diagnosed with ETD a year ago. I have been suffering from it for 17 years. 13 years ago I had a bought of Bulimia that lasted for about a year. I had Anorexia Nervosa as an adolescent. I was given the maximum dose of testosterone to boost me through puberty since Anorexia was preventing it. Soon after I abused alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and various other drugs until 2005. I believe all these factors have contributed to my ETD. I was diagnosed with OCD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder two years ago and have been taking Effexor (Venlafaxine) to cope. An Ear, Nose, Throat doctor (currently called Head and Neck surgeon in US) prescribed me Flunisolide (coritcosteroid) to reduce ETD inflammation. It seems to help a little, but it is certainly not a cure, even when used for a significant period of time (i.e. 3 weeks).
My ETD has been recently aggravated by my attempts to remove pimples and skin tags, which may be a symptom of OCD. Has anyone else experienced this situation? Numerous doctors say there is no connection between the skin abrasions and ETD, but they obviously don't have ETD.
Primarily, I am asking for information regarding ETD. I need to know the statistics of ETD so that I can develop a valid research proposal. Health organizations neglect to respond to my questions. It seems that most biological research is involved in diseases such as cancer and heart disease, which is great. But, as I am sure that anyone reading this knows, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction is a debilitating disease that hinders one's ability to live to their fullest potential. As I have recently graduated with a Bachelors degree. I am researching what my next step will be. I am strongly leaning towards statistics and data mining, since that is a much needed position in all research fields.
I am looking for information on the number of people with ETD worldwide and specific to certain regions. A timeline of ETD cases in these regions. Research groups, Academic and Professional, that are researching ETD. Research groups that are investigating ETD from the Neuroscience and/or Ear, Nose, Throat (Head and Neck surgery) perspective. Any other information is helpful as well, especially your own personal accounts of ETD. Please share your history, as much as you care to disclose, so that I can begin to develop an etiology of ETD.
I have read many of the other discussions on ETD and recognize that many of you are suffering and I certainly empathize with you all. I am still trying to decide if my anxiety disorders are the result of ETD, my ETD the result of my anxiety disorders, if they are mutually intertwined, and/or if something else is going on. I very much hope to hear from you so that we may begin to develop a cure for ETD so that we may not be hindered by this ruthless malfunction.
1 like, 209 replies
Tyler_619 Tympanic
Posted
I have been having trouble too with my right ear. I got sick twice in the past 2 months and my right ear's hearing just got weird and muffled. I got scared that I might have hearing damage, so I went to an ENT and also had a audiogram done, but there was no conductive or sensiroual hearing damage (aka my hearing is fine). He said it was most likely inflammation in the middle ear that can take some time to go away. Its been 3 weeks, since I recovered from my last cold, my right ear can hear almost normally, and I can open my eustachian tube and pop my ear, but there is this weird off feeling to my right ear. Like when I was in my bathroom, only my left ear was picking up the ambient noises. It's weird because I've searched all over the internet trying to figure out my problem, but I haven't found anyone who has mine same problem: where I have no hearing loss but it feels like my left ear is picking up more sound than my right is. My right ear (the actual ear itself) also gets kinda numb every now and then. I have no idea what the problem is and i'm scared this might be permanent thing.
If anyone else has or had this problem, let me know what the problem might be
Scocar Tyler_619
Posted
Hi Tyler. I have the exact same problem. I have been suffering for almost 2 years. I've seen 4 ENT's now but the 4th one is taking me serious. I'm have an MRI because he thinks there is nerve damage and I am also getting a balance test. I'm baffled that these specialists can't figure it out.
Tyler_619 Scocar
Posted
Has the 2 years been off and on, or continuous? Also do you have dizziness problems? I have no dizziness or fatigue problems, but I know that if you have dizziness, it could be linked to meniere's disease.
But man 2 years? I'm so sorry. I'm thinking their might be something wrong with my eustachian tube because when I blow my nose, it pops way to easily compared to my left. Also when eating, I notice that it does make a popping noise every now and then. But fingers crossed that both of us can get some help
Scocar Tyler_619
Posted
Tyler_619 Scocar
Posted
Yea I think it's a eustachian tube problem too. I've been doing steam inhalation and using flonase spray for the past couple days, so hopefully it clears up. It just sucks because this has taken over my life lately, been reading and researching it too much, just want it to go away
Scocar Tyler_619
Posted
Yes it definitely takes over your life. I've researched way to much, and then you start worrying about what if. I'm hoping I will get some answers with the MRI. This whole thing started from a sore throat I got.
Tyler_619 Scocar
Posted
Yea, it's scary how fast a simple cold can mess up your hearing. I think we're just the unlucky ones though. I'm just hoping there isn't any permanent damage.
Scocar Tyler_619
Posted
jamieplumber Tyler_619
Posted
I've been using Neilmed sinus rinse. It's seems to help a lot! I've had this problem for over 2 years and this spray seems to work the best out of everything I've tried.
jamieplumber
Posted
I've had all the problems your talking about minus the numb ear.
My eustation tube dysfunction started from an ear infection. It got so bad that for a couple months I had a foggy head feeling and couldn't think properly.
I've been to 2 ENT's 2 hearing tests and an allergist. I had the camera up my sinuses and they said everything was clear. They couldn't give me a real answer other than it might be allergies.
I believe mine is due to thicker fluid in my eustation tubes preventing them from draining properly.
I've noticed it is worse when I am dehydrated. Coffee and especially alcohol makes it worse. - Hense the dehydration-
If I drink plenty of water and use Neilmed sinus rinse my symptoms almost disappear. ( temporarily ) this is not a cure but a treatment that seems to really help.
Seriously give it a try. You should use it daily. It has really helped me. Btw make sure you get this brand I've tried other nasel sprays and they didn't work. Good luck
shelly49178 Tympanic
Posted
At the beginning ofJanuary I got a cold, did nasal rinse and I must have clogged my tube. 2 other people at work did the same thing but their ears have cleared up long ago. Atleast another 4 people at work have also had blocked ears, what a nasty virus going around!
About January 18th I was at the mall and had a weird feeling and accidentally leaned onto someone. When I saw my doctor she said it was a panic attack and prescribed atavan. Well I never filled the script cause I knew it wasn't one. Later I was told I had water in my ear. I can't even count how much money I've spent on supplements, vitamins and ear popper. I've been to the ER 3 times, had 2 ear infections and sometimes walk like I'm drunk! ER doc said I had vertigo and to go home and google exercises! I've had the one episode of vertigo but usually when ear or ears are blocked and filling with fluid I have a sea sickness feeling. I've leaned on another stranger( so funny..strangers say "oh excuse me"...lol when it's my fault) and a colleague.
Things I've tried..steaming, eucalyptus steaming and massage, castor oil packs, onion poultice, eating garlic, garlic and onion oil in ears, nasal rinses drinking teas-ginger nettle licorice. Lymph massage, laser, accupuncture, osteopathy and chiro. I use corticosteroids daily with 20 mg of reactine. I have used oil of oregano, flax seed oil, vitamin c , elderberry, omega 3, and some others. OH YAH...mucinex, sudafed, advil cold and sinus, allegra d nose sprays natural diuretic 3 rounds of antibiotics.
Symptoms are full feeling in ear when standing and sometimes sitting. Dizziness, light-headed, crackling in ear, I can't smell or taste spices. I can't smell rotten meat, garbage or poop! At the beginning of all this I had a very sore spot in my mouth (lady at work had the same thing) It felt like a vein with a smushed pea under the skin. The soreness is gone but the thing has moved all around in my mouth and is still there! I also have a crunching sound when I rub on my jawline. I think it's something with my lymph nodes.
Prior to all of this I've suffered with daily painful scalenes and scm muscles. I have a herniated disc at c3/4 or 5/6. Since all of this started I have had hardly any pain like I did before.
ENT says eustachian tube dysfunction which takes 3 months or more to clear. My hearing test came back fine. I see the ENT next Monday to discuss tubes.
Doctors should get this so they won't say It hasn't been that long". One week was more than enough.
I'm praying I'll wake up and be rid of this.
If you have a cure...please do tell!
Shelly
shelly49178 Tympanic
Posted
6 months I have had this etd. Just over a month ago I had a tube put in my right ear. It did not help for about a week and then I had 2 days that weren't too bad. My ent sent me for allergy test...I don't have allergies anymore! Maybe it was the months of acv, oregano oil, collodial silver and goldenseal I took. Who knows...but I can now breathe through my nose most times. I still can't taste or smell rotten smells or hot spices. Ent says I may never regain senses. I've had ER dr say I have chronic sinusitus, allergist says I have non allergic rhinitis and ENT says he doesn't know. Gp is going to send me for a ctscan. My ENT said there was a lot of congestion. I asked him if it was dry or sticky and he said sticky. So I asked if I should take mucinex..he said sure...I asked if I should take pseudofed...he said sure. He is not very helpful. He says my tubes are working fine. Then why the hell am I still off balanced, zoned out, tinnitus and my ear is clogged!!??
I started putting a little baby shampoo in my saline rinse for bio films.
I have recently tried to cut way back on dairy and for the past 4 days I've been having acidic juices for cattarah.
Yesterday I bought mullien, drank it and smoked it.Today wasn't so bad, so I will keep it up.
I've had this ball by my ear above my jaw and ENT, dentist and GP have said they don't feel anything. Ultrasound shows a reactive lymph node...I knew I wasn't crazy! Under my jaw still feels weird and it makes a crunching sound when I rub it. Of course the Drs say there is nothing there.
I agree this ETD makes you depressed, anxious and anti social.
I would like to try prednisone again but after the last time of one dose and ending up in the ER barely able to walk from the dizziness and an ear and bladder infection I'm hesitant. I just need the damn inflammation to go down! Has anyone tried turmeric with any effect?
Now when I open my mouth I hear my tubes clicking a lot. I think that they are sticky with cattarah, so that's why I'm drinking the juices.
You know what is so weird? My ear feels okay when I'm laying down and mostly ok when I'm sitting!
Well enough from me. Wishing us all some relief.
If I have success with the Mullien after a week I will let you know.
shelly49178
Posted
I can feel my tubes are still swollen because when I use my ear popper there is a lot of pressure in my throat. Today I bought webber joint remedy which has curcumin and bromelain. It is for bad inflammation.
Last night I did have a weird sensation, one that I have had once before. I could hear swoosh swoosh...in my ear with my heartbeat. I thought f### what is it now patulous!
I will try to follow up in 10 days...the time it says to take the pills.
Wishing all some relief!
moe10395 Tympanic
Posted
I had etd since 2015 . I had my balloon therapy few months ago . It worked fine for few months but it’s back again due to sinus infections.
My experience with it is to test it with the following
1- krill oil
2- falvonide plus
3- Tini Free
4- bio film defense
5- Himalayan pink salt
6- nose rinse with sea salt
The hemalayan pink Salt worked very well for my case. Seems my body needs more sodium than average . I don’t know why ?? I bite my nails since I was 4 years old and when I take hemelayn pink salt I don’t have the carvings and surprisingly my ETD is way better.
I have gone thru nightmares vertigo , stuffed ear , tinitus , Star Wars light saber noise in my left ear. I have seen more than 6 Ent Specialist’s and have done tons of research on this . The 6 steps I mentioned earlier worked best for me from all doctors ..
in the USA we are way behind than Europe in ENT therapy . Germany are rated best in ENT and if I had the money I would have gone to Germany for treatment .
The stuffed feeling is lighter .. I still have clicking noise but less than before. The vertigo is gone and light saber noise is gone.
It will take time .. I reached A point that I have nothing to loose so tried the treatment offered in the market and found the 6 steps mentioned above is the best. It took me 3 years experimenting to come up with those 6 steps.
Wish the best of luck and if anyone tried these steps please share your feedback . I wana know if others are improving or not use same therapy from my experiments.
Scocar Tympanic
Posted
Hi there. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to have the balloon treatment in the new year. Very expensive seeing that it is not covered by OHIP. Where do I purchase these items that you mention? How do I know how much salt to put in the rinse? Please let me know. Thanks, Scott
cindy90411 Scocar
Posted
HI Scott, Been trying to reach you on the other thread. So I guess you ended up having ETD? I saw Kolenda last week...turns out I don't have ETD...tinnitus and some hearing loss due to the viral infection I had after Christmas. Feeling depressed about it. How did you like the doctor? I really liked him. He's sending me for an MRI and we'll take it from there. All the best with the procedure.