Long term possible ETD, Sinus and Head pressure issues

Hi Howard, thanks for your very informative response. Do you have a medical background? I'm by no means blaming this all on my E.T as my overall problem, I completely understand that the issues I'm having with myears is more likely a result of inflammation somewhere e.g. my sinuses which you clearly just stated. However this doesn't change the fact that this is the main area of suffering for me which is why its the point of most discussion.

When I last visited the ENT I was presribed flusonase drops and spray which I took for months with no significant results. I was the person who spoke to my consultant who actually told me after putting a camera up my nose that the problems I have was not a result of my sinuses? Therefore its very reasonable for me to scrutinise the information I was given. At no point have I been asked about allergies, TMJ etc. The symptoms I have could be a result of various problems that are hidden by nerve pain due to inflammation and this should be the starting point for doctors. I was also diagosed with cluster headaches before I saw me ENT and then I was told by various doctors this is extremely unlikely and this has been proven over time. I completely understand what your saying regarding my sinuses because the severe pain and pressure I get is always on my left hand side mainly which is the same side as the problematic ear. I really appreciate the time you've taken to respond. Any additional information would be great, I'm seeing my ENT on the 23rd of April.

I'm still struggling as I honestly don't know what the ENT will say when I go next time so I'm a little nervous.

Thanks again,

Jack

Dear Jacko,

I have explained my background in related discussion posts. I am someone who had chronic asthma, sinusitis and E.T.D dysfunction all my life because of allergic hyper-sensitivity.This means that I will suffer far more severely from these problems than most people.

My problems have been chronic. I have learnt a considerable about about my health problem through my consultations with my consultant and through personal experience.

I cleared my asthma out about ten years ago. I cleared my sinus problem five years ago and I am now on the boundary of clearing up my Eustachian Tube problems. It has taken me a tremendous amount of work to finally solve my nose/E.T. problem, which has only been possible because of the newer generation medication that I am on now.

A point I made to my consultant about four years ago is that there was a simple solution to my health problems then we would have found it. In such circumstances it is naive to believe that anyone one can magically offer patients a solution to such problems. E.N.T. consultants rarely see patients with the severity of problems I have.

It is very evident to me that you demonstrate an abject lack of understanding of everything that you claim to have read and I have explained to you. No G.P. or consultant has the time to explain in detail everything to you about any condition. I can assure you both nose and E.T. functions are not as simple as they appear.

I am unclear of whether you have taken the time to review what you said to me. You certainly do not appear to have thought it through it. If you were in such severe pain then I am at an utter loss to understand why you did not seek some professional support immediately by seeing a pharmacist. I gain the impression your problem is your cluster pain. They would have been able to advise you on this.

I do not intend to enter into further dialogue with you on this issue, because I do not believe that you are totally committed to solving your problems. It is possible I might reconsider this if you go and see a pharmacist. I am only posting this for the benefit of anyone else that should research this discussion.

Hi Howard,

Responding to what you said regarding your an utter loss to understand why I didn't seek professional support immediately. It's hard for me to understand your response because you seem to think you know everything about my personal circumstances which is far from the case, clearly. If your going to use these forums you need to approach how you speak to people differently because it comes across quite rude. You may have much more experience and knowledge in this area and maybe my frustration is part of the issue. I saw three doctors, I spoke to two different doctors on the phone (on call) and saw a doctor when I actually went to A&E with severe pain last December when I had the severe sinus/headache pain. It was only until then that I was given an appointment to visit my ENT. I then visited my ENT twice and also my mum is a fully qualified nurse who is extremely knowledgeable.

I understand my issues are due to inflammation somewhere which is what my ENT told me. I further understand that my E.T is most likely a secondary result of a different problem. I think you've been very informative and I understand how sinus's work, and viral infections also already. My pain isn't cluster pain because it's nothing like 'cluster headaches' are described. If I had cluster headaches I wouldn't be on here I'd be in hospital needing oxygen.

Cheers

Why did you not tell me all this sooner? I feel very sorry for you Jacko. I would not have been saying what I said to you when I was your age. I had seriously debilitating health problem which was undiagnosed until I was thirty. I have just read what you just said and it is clear to me that your E.N.T. consultant does not know what your problem is.

If you E.N.T. consultant does not know where you problems are, then you cannot expect your G.P., out of hours and casualty doctors to know. It is unlikely to be the kind of problem they will have expertise in and regularly experience.

I agree with dealing with anyone on website is impersonal. I cannot say what I would like to say to you because everything I say is in the public domain. This is why I have repeatedly asked you to see a pharmacist. I have been just be talking to mine. He is very knowledgable.

I would expect pharmacists to understand everything I have advised you. I know because I was talking about my E.T. problem with one today. All consultants are dedicated to diagnosis and they are not very good a communicating things to patients other than diagnosis. Nurses/phramacists do a much better job of that.

I am prepared to help you, but I am not prepared to spend hours working on this when you should be able to learn a lot from pharmacists. I spoke my mind to you to make you see sense

I am confident that I have worked out what your problem is. I am 95% sure.

It would not be helping you by telling you now. You must be more legalistic and keep an 'open mind' about all possibilities. I may not respond to any response from you until the middle of next week.

Hello Howard,

Sorry for my late response I've had a busy week with university and work. I agree, the GP's I saw regarding my issue told me it was cluster headaches and then the doctor in A&E referred me to ENT because she saw how much pain I was in and how this was controlling my life. I didn't for one minute believe that my GP or any other doctor I spoke to on the phone etc. knew really what my problem was. A few said it was migraines, and I'm not by any means knowledgeable about these things but I know my body and I knew it wasn't.

Now ill share a few specific symptoms with you Howard to see if this can shed any light on my problems.

I get the stuffy nose times at night and when I wake up, I get pressure pain behind my eyes in the morning sometimes also. I have the heavy sinus's (left side mainly), left ear popping constantly, tinnitus and stuffy feeling ears. The ear problems are continuous however the sinus problems come and go, generally when I've had a cold. I sometimes feel groggy and like I'm coming down with a cold.

Head pressure or severe pain (feels like bad sinus blockage only on left hand side eyebrow also in the corner above my nose. This has only occurred once or twice since I was seeing my ENT a year last December. This comes on when I sneeze? About 1 month ago I had my cold... when I made this original post. I had gotten over the cold and had a day where I felt fine, after getting rid of the sinus pressure etc and suddenly a sneeze from nowhere and this pressure, pushing, sharp sinus pain came on. The only painkillers that seem to work as mentioned earlier are only strong anti inflammatory tablets. After taking 1 tablet the pain went and its not come back. I wonder if the fact its when I sneeze the head pain comes if that means anything? It's only ever on the left hand side which is the same side as my ear problems.

Not long now until I'm back to see the specialist.

Thanks for your support

Jack

You are missing the point and the question, there are many more reason for developing sinusitis and the camera it's not enough. Dismissing after a quick camera examination is typical behaviour of NHS specialist, It did happen the same to me the specialist saw examination me with the camera and tried to dismiss me, I suggested an allergy test and it came out extremely positive, thanks that useless was so convince I had nothing and did not ask to see me back. I am continental an went straight abroad as I was not impressed with allergy specialist in here but my Gp could arrange another ENT who happened to care and order a CT scan, still waiting results bug that gives you an Idea, I you cannot just accept the decision of a practician if sorts no problem. And this us not easy I know, myself I changed gp, ENT and partially went private but if the NHS doesn't care about this condition, like doesn't card about almost anything is not life threatening, guy it is your duty to react.

Good luck with the Ent

Just wanna help

Dave

I did advise you to see a Pharmacist which you have no done. I am confident that they would have narrowed your problem down for you.

In respect of Dave's comments a practice nurse will be able to diagnose and treat sinusitis without the need of cameras. He was advised he had a positive allergy test. The problem with his type of problem is that the symptoms may not be present on the day of the E.N.T. consultants examination. E.N.T. are normally not allergists. There are clear recognised treatments for his problem. I advise him to see a pharmacist.

Please would you advise me of whether you smoke.

Howard

Dear Jacko,

You have admitted you suffer from depression.

These are your words that you said in your earlier post:- "I've read around this topic plenty as I've been suffering with these problems for years now and not only does it make me **feel depressed**, and out of it but it **prevents me sleeping proper** for weeks sometimes and then I feel exhausted and nobody understands!"

I understand. Your exhaustion is not related to your physical E.N.T. symptoms, but it related to the fact your not sleeping properly, you are run and you are clear depressed. This will account for your headaches which is clear symptom of anxiety/depression. A pharmacist would have told you that had you bothered to consult with one.

You posted on this site that you had "Chronic E.T.D.", but it is blatently obvious your symptoms are trivial and you have not referred to a critical symptom that should be currently associated with the state of your E.T.There is no evidence you have any significant maxillary sinus problems either.

The danger with reading forum website is that you can start imaging problems you do not have by exagerrating your symptoms, especially when you are run down and depressed. You are not the first in the world to suffer from depression. When you recover you will see things more clearly.

Unless you sort it out it will interfere with your college exams because you need your sleep. This is the main reason why I endeavored to help you.

No one can say with absolute certainty whether there is problem with your headache, it might be some neuralgia, but it highly unlikely that you have a problem there.

I would suggest you go and discuss you problems with a pharmacist and then see your G.P.

I should be very annoyed with you, but I understand depression and I feel sorry for you.

I view this discussion as closed.

Howard