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Eustachian Tube Dysfunction for 2 months

Posted , 7 users are following.

luke34832
luke34832

Hey everyone smile first time im posting on this website. But basically in August I got around 3 colds after each other before having to go on a trip abroad. Before I went abroad I had a blocked nose and blew really hard and felt something shoot up my sinuses/ eustachian tube and my ear drum started viciously twitching. That twitching left within a day but my ears have been blocked since. My doctor told me the flight made it worse and made the gunk shoot further up. Now both of my ears feel blocked and I’m not even sure if theyre getting better. 

I’m really obsesssing about them lately as I’m reading about it on these forums and it seems like its a condition which stays with you for life and I’m still 19. It’s making me really depressed and I panicky.  I’ve also stopped smoking just to hopefully make things better. I’ve just finished a 10 day course of prednisolone to no avail and Nasocort nosespray which I’ve stopped taking to try and let my body heal on its own.

Will this ever go? Or will This be a permanent thing which I will have to live with forever? Has anyones ETD ever cleared up because from what I’ve seen on this forum it’s all doom and gloom.

Some extra info on my ETD: It pops/crackles when i swallow and I don’t think they’re fully obstructed as I don’t have any autophony. The pressure isn’t that bad either but it’s still very annoying. I’m also very worried that since the flu season is coming my ears are gonna get much worse.

Any advice or words encouragment would be greatly appreciated! Maybe i can put my mind to rest for a bit. Also any information about surgeries and their efficacy?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • tanney
    tanney luke34832

    Posted

    Have you been seen by an ENT doctor?  If so, what did he/she say is problem?  If not, that should be your next step.  Who put you on the prednisone? 
    • luke34832
      luke34832 tanney

      Posted

      Hey the ENT gave me the Prednisolone i’m going again tomorrow i’ll keep you updated.
  • dianataylor
    dianataylor luke34832

    Posted

    Luke, I’m so sorry u are struggling with this. I know there are a lot of stories on here.  Mine is a positive one.  My e tubes shut after sinus surgery. After almost 4 yrs, i had the new e tube balloon dilation surgery and it worked for me.  Don’t get too discouraged yet.  There are a few things u can try first, and sometimes they will just clear up in time.  Good luck, wishing u the best! Diane

     

  • anne05078
    anne05078 luke34832

    Posted

    Hello Luke,  so sorry to read how badly your ears are blocked.  No doubt you've seen several of my posts to people on this Forum.  If they are that blocked the 10 day course of Prenisolone possibly wasn't long enough.  When mine get bad I am prescribed a 20 reducing course that clear up all the inflammation, when that has gone the ears can drain.  Don't know which country you're in but over here in England I'm finding that the Flixonase Nasule Drops are really helping me....stronger than the one you're currently using.  Thing is with these steroid based sprays and drops, they cannot be stopped, as they have to build up.  I know in the US you can't get these only the Fixonase Aqueous Nasal Spray, which I'm now finding doesn't work for me.  The Nasules should only be used for a max of 6 weeks at a time, however, I'm now using them once a day every other day and hoping that will be ok.  Because your Eustachian Tube Dysfunction was due to having a cold and flying I wouldn't think that it will be permanent, you've just have to get control over it.  So my personal advise would be to go back on the Prednisolone 5mg tablets for a 20 day reducing course, then if they are still blocked do a 6 weeks course of Nasules (if you can get them)

    Also try steam inhalations (towel over head for 20 minutes) then try popping them.  I haven't flown for 5 years due to my ETD and sinus issues, plus allergies and it's quite upsetting.  Blocked ears are the more awful thing to suffer and I really feel for you.  I've had many, many years of experience with it, but like I've said mine is due to sinus problems and allergies....I think yours could possibly be a one off.  I do hope so.

    Best of luck

    Anne

     

    • luke34832
      luke34832 anne05078

      Posted

      Hey anne smile thanks for taking the time to respond. I went to the ENT this morning and he told me it seems like my situations getting better and that it’s only a question of waiting it out. My hearing test resulted in me having above average hearing and apparently ETD is much more obvious to me as I’m used to hearing alot normally. Also told my ENT that i’m having some post nasal drip which he said was a great sign and that my Eustachian tubes should clear up within 2-3 weeks. He said that since I stopped smoking my situation will heal up much faster now and gave me another month of Nasacort spray and Levocetrizine. To be honest I feel much better this morning since I’ve consulted a doctor and my mind feels at rest. He said that my problem definitely got worse due to the airplane as it shot the mucus up much farther down the pipes. 

      Also thankyou for your support. I’ll make sure to keep everyone updated on my situation.

  • anne05078
    anne05078 luke34832

    Posted

    Hello again Luke, well I hope your ENT specialist is correct.  In my own experience and many others on the Forum it can potentially take months to resolve.  Post Nasal Drip actually gest into my eustachian tubes, so watch that and particularly first this in the mornings after lying down all night.

    Glad you're feeling better today though.  Hearing of course will be down if ears are blocked.  You didn't say which country you live in.

    Anne

    • luke34832
      luke34832 anne05078

      Posted

      Hey, I’m from Malta. The ENT said that the post nasal drip is a great sign thst the mucus is getting dislodged actually so yea its just a waiting game for now keeping my hopes up.
  • anne05078
    anne05078 luke34832

    Posted

    Hi Luke, Google Post Nasal Drip nothing to do with about being dislodged....
    • luke34832
      luke34832 anne05078

      Posted

      Hey so how is the mucus supposed to clear out from the eustachian tube?
  • ann1013
    ann1013 luke34832

    Posted

    My ears were blocked about 75 to 80% of the time from January - April.  I started getting a little relief but I still had the popping, crackling and pulling sensation.  It seems that my eustachian tube issues are from TMJ and allergies so I am being treated for both.  I had a really bad few days for the last couple of weeks after getting a crown on a tooth but for the most part I am much much better than I was at the beginning of the year.  If I continue to improve at the rate I have been I am hopeful by the end of the year I will be close to normal.  
  • ann32434
    ann32434 luke34832

    Posted

    Hi Luke, my ears were clogged for over a month and I was diagnosed with ETD.  My physician said to wait it out and told me to use flonase spray, sudafed and I was also prescribed to use Otovent.  Its a weird contraption - essentially you use your nose (with the other nostril closed) to blow up a balloon with the air you push through your nostril.  the three of these things over two weeks times cleared up my clogged ears.  I became a normal person again.  There is hope.

    I will say I still have on and off titantus and ear crackling on occasion.  I also swim every day.  I make sure to use flonase and the balloon optivent when I feel my ears are crackling and to avoid another complete ear clog.  

     

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