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Glue ear, sinusitus and no information!

Posted , 5 users are following.

abbeym395
abbeym395

Hi,

I had a conversation yesterday with my GP which has essentially concluded that there's fluid in my ear.  I've got sinusitus that seems to not want to respond to any of the steroid sprays that I've tried, although my GP has started me on another one today.  The Glue Ear is really affecting me, I can tell (now I'm aware of it) that my hearing isn't what it should be and that this compounds with all my other conditions to really screw me over.

I've got a lot of problems, and one of the ways I deal with that is to learn as much as I can about them.  But there's so little information out there for adults with glue ear.  The cause is fairly obvious in the sinusitus (my sinuses aren't draining, what hope does my ear have), and I'm irritated because the sinusitus should've been treated years ago and never was.

I guess I just want to know other people's experience as adults with glue ear and especially if anyone else seems to have had it caused by sinusitus.  I start with the nasal balloon tomorrow once my pharamcy's ordered one, and if that doesn't help in a few weeks I've been promised an ENT referral but I've heard that before.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • aveline
    aveline abbeym395

    Posted

    This sounds silly for me to ask, but have you taken decongestants? Allergy medications weren't cutting it for me but decongestants work really well. For my head congestion, anyway - if it's in my chest, which isn't often, I need guiafenesin (spelling?).  The kind I take are pills with pseudoephedrine & I don't always need the full dose (like I'll take a 12-hour pill every 24 hours for example). If that doesn't do it, adding the second usually does.

    I started taking them when my dr. suggested (and in those days, had to prescribe) after my complaints of vertigo. 20 years later, it's still the first medication I'll reach for. My favorite is Allegra D, not sure what's availble where you are.

    GL with the treatments and the ENT appointment! I'm guessing you saw an audiologist already.

    Hang in there!

    • abbeym395
      abbeym395 aveline

      Posted

      I tend to give decongestants a shot when I catch a cold, but they don't seem to have any impact on my congestion whatsoever.  As a general rule, my meds regime means they only add new tablets whenever it's completely unavoidable.  No audiologist yet, not quite sure if/when my GP wants me to see one, if he doesn't care then I'll probably wind up taking advantage of a free one somewhere.  My pharmacy is screwing me around with the otovent, and we'll see if that works, but if it doesn't, off to ENT I go.
  • lesile
    lesile abbeym395

    Posted

    I have had glue ear for 20 years and I am sorry that there is still no information about adult glue ear. 

    I have had sinusitis and catarrh problems since I was 8 so when my hearing was affected at 40 i saw an ENT specialist. I had grommets to start with and then t tubes . I was warned at the time that my hearing could be affected in later life once I had these inserted. This is now the case and my hearing is very much reduced. 

    I think there are some new ways of treating glue ear but the main way is with grommets. The treatment is the same as with children. I personally wouldn't use decongestants bought over the counter. Most doctors don't like these tablets as they can impact the sinuses and cause worse problems. Nasal sprays are better. Best way forward is an ENT referral. I eventually paid to go private. 

    Good luck and once you get to an ENT specialist they will sort you out. It is a hard slog. I will add though that I am still seeing ENT as I still need check ups etc.

    • abbeym395
      abbeym395 lesile

      Posted

      Thanks for your support.  I'm hoping the otovent works, but I'm dubious - so long as the sinusitus is still there, I suspect this could flare up whenever.  I'll push for the ENT referall with my GP as I know I need it.  I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll almost certainly need an operation of some sort and then I have to deal with the "OMG mental health problems" response I tend to get whenever surgery gets mentioned.  We'll see what happens.  Glad I'm not alone.
  • alice77221
    alice77221 abbeym395

    Edited

    Glue ear and also fluid in ear is a horrible condition.  I used to suffer from this. I first of all boosted my immune system by using a juicer (fruit and veg).  This really helped.  I use Coldzyme (from Boots chemist) at start of cold and so far it keeps it at bay, also Sterimar sea water nasal spray really helps.
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