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Long term possible ETD, Sinus and Head pressure issues

Posted , 54 users are following.

Jacko1992
Jacko1992

I've had chronic tinnitus, ear popping and blocked feeling in my ears over the past 3 years (mainly inmy left ear). Alongside the discomfort, I've had with this issue, I've had various sinus pain and extreme facial pain for 3 weeks once when I literally thought I was having a hammer smashed against my head. also seen ENT and been on nasal steroids and sprays which didn't help in the long term.

The problem originally flared up when I had a bad head cold 3 years ago and that's when my ear ringing and popping started. I was on high dosage of inflammatory s for my head pain and it instantly disappeared almost immediately and never returned upto now.

I've now had a cold which seems to have lasted for 2 weeks. And my god its been a misery. I've had buffered hearing, difficultly popping my ears, head, facial, eye pressure and pain. My sinusus feel like they are going to pop out of my skull and I feel like I've been banged over the head whilst asleep. I've also had trouble sleeping for the past few weeks which doesn't help whatsoever.

From what I'm aware I've not got any allergies, I'm going back to ENT over the next few weeks so we'll see whats said. However last time I had a camera put into my sinuses and it was all clear the only thing suggested by ENT was possible tubes in my ears?

Wondering if anybody else has similar problems and any advice for me. I'm only 21 and looking to start my career over summer when I finish university and this has almost controlled my life for years.

6 likes, 101 replies

101 Replies

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  • Tympanic
    Tympanic Jacko1992

    Posted

    I have grappled with ETD for over a decade. I am considering placing a vacuum cleaner hose over an ear and then using vacuum pressure to relieve pressure in my middle ear. I frequently perform the valsalva maneuver and notice that my tympanic membrane needs to be forced outwards. I hope a vacuum would help. ENT says that it will not help since ETD concerns middle ear in environment closed off to outer ear by tympanic membrane. I feel it may help. Based on research, it can be safely done if vacuum pressure is not too high, but it must be high enough to do the job. Does anyone have any experience with this? And please feel free to let me know if this is a completely insane idea.
    • paul01609
      paul01609 Tympanic

      Posted

      Hi, l used to 'pop' my ears like that in an effort to clear them, but after reading about the ear popper from the forums here I brought one myself and can honestly say it's had a dramatic effect on my ear problem which I've had since I was born. At first I used it constantly but after a few days i found my ears were staying clearer for longer and longer intervals and now I only use it about three time a week. Buying it was the best thing I ever did. Hope this helps.

      Better hastily add; I have no connection with any company!

    • dan0909
      dan0909 paul01609

      Posted

      I was so close to buying it. It was in my hands but. I decided not to get it at the last minute because of the price.  The next time I will make the leap,!  It is a drug free attempt.   I'll  leave a comment later.  thanks.
  • dan0909
    dan0909 Jacko1992

    Posted

    I do not have a solution., but,the  way you describe your symptoms are exactly what I have been going through since the age of 8. (I am currently 46) I remember at the age of 8, a school mate showing me how to squeeze my nose, blow, and 'pop' my ears.  It felt so good. I have done many things listed in blogs below with limited success . The only thing that helped ,  way too late in life,  was  sinus medicine .  About  8 years ago I went to a repetuable ears/eyes / nose doctor in my area. After a cat scan he prescribed about 2 years worth of steriod spray.  I didn't really feel like it made a difference.  I don't like taking pills so I will keep my eyes open in this forum for possible solutions.
  • ABMughal
    ABMughal Jacko1992

    Posted

    Hi I have problem of ears. I visited to ENT last month, But he's not clerify yet but i have problem in my head i feel pressure on my head all the time from 1 month.

    In cold i feel strict pain in my ear and blockage of nose veins. ENT recommend me that he pass tubes through ears but unfortunately he was in other country now....

    Any one of you help me or i will help myself my own

     

  • diljeet93
    diljeet93 Jacko1992

    Posted

    I too have pressure on top of fore head.....below eyes above eye brows from last 2yrs ...   i feel extremely cold in winters...

    feels deppresed....    my mind dont want to do anything ...nor it thinks......find difficulty n stress while thinking deeply n solving maths problems...

    But extreme presure on my above fore head....

    my life is like hell now

    I have operated my sinuses year back...it didnt give me releif ....i too anti allergies ,anti anxienty medicines too..

    nothing gave me releif...

    i sometimes take warm vapours steam....

    but nothing seem to be right till now...

    I feel deppresed n stresed a lot...tightness around forehead.. 

    cant study or do any concentrated work...feels difficulty in concentrating on laptop too 

    • paul01609
      paul01609 diljeet93

      Posted

      Verysorry to hear of your problem. It helps to come here from time to time, often you can pick up some good suggestions and it always helps to know you are not alone with one's health problem.  Good luck and good health for the new year
  • SunnyUK83
    SunnyUK83 Jacko1992

    Posted

    Hi Jacko

    Apologies if I respond to something said here a bit wrong, I've read through some of the posts but I don't have photographic memory (mores the shame) smile so ignore / correct me if I make a wrong assumption.

    Anyway, I hope you're well and Uni is going great for you! Or maybe I should say, hope the new career is going well for you? (I'm at Uni at the moment tho I'm a mature Psych student).

    I was just curious as to whether you have tried day nurse or night nurse?

    And if so did it help? Day nurse is over the counter because it has pseudoephedrine in (don't take if you have insomnia/heart issues/blood pressure issues etc. etc.) but I've found that it's helped really well with sinus issues when I've had a stinking cold. It's brilliant for unblocking sinuses, and it has paracetemol and codeine for pain/inflammation. Basically it makes the stuffiness go away and this reduces the pain in itself. The stuff you can buy in stores like Asda or Boots etc. I think have something similar (Phenylephrine hydrochloride) but very short life in the body so would only be a weaker/temporary (1-2 hours I’m guessing) relief.

    I mention Night nurse as well because it has Promethazine hydrochloride in it, which is an antihistamine. So if you're finding relief with night nurse perhaps your symptoms could be partially related to allergies, or partially exacerbated by allergies.

    I think I remember you saying you took diclofenac which is like a stronger version of ibroprufen. I'm sure your gp/pharmacist has warned you about nsaids being harsh on stomach lining and for this reason I don't think long term use is advised without a gp monitoring. They can cause stomach ulcers and acid reflux - ulcerated throat lining, the list is long and not very nice - have a google (if you haven't already –sorry to preach!). But I agree, for short term use, diclofenac is amazing for inflammation (I used this for running /hip issues).

    The acid reflux thing mentioned that can be lots of things causing it. Here is some causes...

    http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Peptic-ulcer/Pages/Causes.aspx

    http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gastroesophageal-reflux-disease/Pages/Causes.aspx

    *obesity

    *smoking

    * stress

    *over-eating

    But I think you would know if you had this and it was causing your ear issues? Sore throat? Bad taste in your mouth or stomach pain...

    You say the ENT mentioned about the tubes in your ears, but the ENT also said no problems with your sinuses when they used a camera. Did they mention inflammation in sinuses? Probably not I guess if everything looked ok.

    I have tinnitus and also have issues with my sinuses when I have a cold. Recently have had headaches (more like migraines) that start at night. I mention this because I've googled and some interesting stuff was mentioned about tinninus and sinus pain/facial pain being related to TMD. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a problem affecting the 'chewing' muscles and the joints between the lower jaw and the base of the skull. Basically tooth grinding whether due to stress or other issues. My dentist let me know about this because she said my molers were very smooth where I had ground them down. sad

    This site has some good info about TMJ/D.

    http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/temporomandibular-joint-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx

    Or...

    http://www.midwestheadaches.com/symptoms.earpain.asp

    Not sure if you’re allowed to post links on this forum???It's not adverts so hopefully ok.

    But the info from the latter website caught my eyes…Did you know that about 10% of all patients who come to ENT specialists with ear symptoms don’t actually have an ear related reason? In almost 100% of these patients - those with ear pain or other ear symptoms but whose ears are normal - the symptoms come from TMD. (Source: Missouri Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, Matthew E. Beuerlein, M.D., Board Certified Diplomate of The American Board of Otolaryngology)

    Lastly, the tinnitus, has that been life long? Or occurred recently? Do you take medication for the depression? Some antidepressants side-effects cause tinnitus or hearing issues, headaches too.

    Also, previous posts have mentioned in military style (wink wink) that you might want to discuss things with a pharmacist. I don't personally have a problem with that advice, although I would say a gp has your medical history and a pharmacist doesn't. I'm guessing you don't have a medical background, so a pharmacist can only ask you some questions to gather what meds your on, whilst a dr will just look at your history. The latter seems safer to me. Although pharmacists might have a more up to date knowledge of current meds.

    Anyway, hope things are ok with you...apologies if the wording in this is a bit abrupt, ignore it. I'm writing this at 1am so I might be a bit vacant in social skills and brain cells smile

  • jason_03617
    jason_03617 Jacko1992

    Posted

    As I have said before have you considered balloon tuboplasty?  I am looking to start an action/support group for those that have longterm ETD (>than 1 year).  My aim is to try to get 10 long term sufferers who would meet a criteria for presentation to an ENT specialist doing ballon tuboplasty.
  • gareth_40414
    gareth_40414 Jacko1992

    Posted

    I am 54 and have had all of your symtoms for years, completely cheesed off and at the point of dont know what to do the doctors are a waste of space and from going to the doctor for a cold !!!!!!!!!!!! is a waste of time seriously dont know what to do.
  • nicola42794
    nicola42794 Jacko1992

    Posted

    I suffered exactly as you did and after everything else failed, had grommets. It has been a disaster as I now have more noise and congestion than ever. Think very carefully about any surgery and don't do it out of desperation as I did
  • regina020399
    regina020399 Jacko1992

    Posted

    I too have been told I have ETD. I have severe allergies and take Tagamet, Zyrtec, Singulair daily but for the last week and 1/2 my ear has been hurting and my throat feels like it has cut glass in it on the right side. I have taken a z-pack and am currently taking cipro. Have also taken decongestants but really need some relief...any suggestions?

  • Scampi18
    Scampi18 Jacko1992

    Posted

    Hi jacko,

    I also have the worst buzzing and pressure in my head and behind my nose and sinuses, feel like my eyes are going to pop out, then sometimes when I lay on my back I can feel all fluid bubbling and popping, awful and painful, i try to pop ears but they won't , try to blow nose nothing comes out.

    visited ENT again and had the balance text and she said I had crystals in my labrinth, and consultant will be in touch, 

    Said I had something called BPPV benign proximal positional vertigo, my head feels full of wasp.

    it all started before Xmas had a fall bumped my head, never went to a and e, because I felt fine, then gradually it got worse and worse, I must tell the consultant and hopefully get a ct scan on head, it's absolutely awful, frightened to go out some days incase I fall over, I take a walking emergency whistle out with me now just in case.

    not had any medication as such, also it could have been caused by an infection.

    i hope we all get some relief it is not pleasant.

  • jamieplumber
    jamieplumber Jacko1992

    Posted

    Hi Jacko,

    Last June I went diving and had difficulties equalizing as I went down, how ever I was able to it was slightly sore while diving. My ears were blocked after the dive and it only got worse the next day unitl I could hearly hear anything. I tried to clear my ears myself with the water sprayer hoping that it was only ear wax. That helped slightly but I still needed to see my doctor. He prescribed me amoxicillin and my ear infection seemed to get almost all better. Since then I have felt mild sorness, fluid, and occasional ear poping in both my ears. I feel groggy or ot not as with it as i normally am. I noticed that when I drink alcohol I feel the pressure a little more in my ears. 

    I have been back to my doctor 3 times since he prescribed me the amoxicillin. I went to have my hearing checked at a hearing clinic. My hearing is average in my left ear and just slightly below average in my right ear. My doctor is supposed to be recommending me to see an ear nose and throat specialist..... Before this I cannot remember ever having an ear infection. This does completely affect my life as I find it difficult to concentrate. Does it sound like I have sinusitis? 

    • jamieplumber
      jamieplumber

      Posted

      Sorry I meant Tinnitus.  I apologize for the poor writing. My keyboard somtimes sticks. 
    • Jacko1992
      Jacko1992 jamieplumber

      Posted

      Jamie your condition is a result of diving as your symptoms started after this activity.

      Mine was a seriously bad cold, and it has just never cleared up since.

      My suggestion would be to keep pushing for the DR's to find out, it's simply a process of elimination. Unfortunately it has taken me 5 years to get to this point and I still don't know now. My main concern was that it could be a tumour or some sort of problem with my brain. It looks like my pain is being caused by a nerve problem - but my ears - who knows? It's all related, we will wait and see.

      If you have sinus problems this can easily cause ear popping, blocked feeling, dizziness etc. It is all connected.

      Have you had facial pain? Under your eyes, above, your forehead etc.? Also when bending over you will have pressure feeling.

      There are loads of things you can try to help sinus issues. I have tried everything and according to the Dr's my sinuses are absolutely fine, she only suggested tubes for my ears and mentioned this probably wouldn't make much difference. I didn't bother because I've learnt to live with it!

      Hope this helps. Get in touch with your progress.

    • pdzang58
      pdzang58 jamieplumber

      Posted

      I haven't seen ENT dr but will. I have tinnitus for about a month already. It was caused by vertigo. It's on my left side plus the pressure on head is unbearable. I was told that I might have Minieres disease 😞

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