1. Community
  2. Ears, nose, throat and mouth
  3. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Cure

Posted , 60 users are following.

Tympanic
Tympanic

    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

209 Replies

Prev
  • adam97882
    adam97882 Tympanic

    Posted

    Hi everybody, I just want to help people out on this forum, I have been suffering from PET my whole life, I’m 23 now, but I have cured it with healthy eating and detoxing,( high water based fruit) and water with bicarbonate of soda, I initially put bicarbonate of soda in the water to make it more alkaline, but I found out that it relaxes my Eustachian tubes, and they open as normal when drinking and don’t stay open, it’s amazing, just a sprinkle in a large tub, so it gets up to room temp, cold water can constrict Eustachian tubes so don’t do that, also get de stressed, stress is a big cause of PET because of construction, but high fruit based diet help m mental and physical health, I hope this information helps people, I never do forums like this, and can get rid of PET, hopefully you get rid of it forever xxx
  • jim22871
    jim22871 Tympanic

    Posted

    Hi thanks for your post. I have been suffering from blocked ears since I was 24 and am now 53. It first manifested after my first time flying  .I would do all the usual valsalla stuff and it would sort of go away but after that first time on a plane I've haven't been the same. Like you I had a relationship with drink and drugs that kept me away from health professionals and I kind of just accepted always being blocked up and a bit absent. However I'm now ten years clean and sober , gave up cigarettes 3 yrs ago and now'deaf 'as a post . It's very upsetting when you know it's not a problem with the tiny bones in your ear but unequal pressure in your Eustachian tubes causing the dysfunction and your doctor just looks at you blankly and basically says 'well what would you like me to do about it?' I don't know you're the f@@@@@ing doctor! My acupuncturist has so far made the most sense- if it's not viral or an infection then it must be muscular or skeletal. I am currently on the waiting list (6months) to see an ENT consultant. I don't hold much hope. If I was still using I might be on smack by now. Anyway please feel free to ask me anything for your research at least we have empathy. 

    Jim (UK)

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.