Lynn
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi
i've been diagnosed with ETD in the last few days which started with a fungal ear infection in my ear canal and now eight weeks later am struggling.
my latest symptom is the stuffy dry air in my nasal passages which is also coming into my mouth And preventing sleep.
i tried antihistamine nose spray and the stuffiness returned in 30 minutes.
Has anyone else had this, what can I do to get rid of it?
am I right in saying that most people with etd have the mucous version not the dry?
thanks
Lynn
0 likes, 3 replies
anne05078 lynnrose
Posted
Hello Lynn, Usually, well in my case, ETD is caused by Sinusitis, Rhinitis and Allergies. My left nostril gets so blocked at night while in bed. It's inflammation of the tubes that causes ETD. Ask your doctor to prescribe Flixonase Steroid Nasal Spray. Sadly, this no longer works for me as I've suffered Eustachian Tube Dysfunction for so any years now. I now use Flixonase Nasule Drops, that are stronger than the spray. Not sure which country you're in, I'm in England, don't think you can get these Nasules if you're in the US. Because these drops shouldn't be used longer than 6 weeks max I've now managed to get mine under control a max of 4 days without having to use the drops....5th day ears block up again. Just about to use them now. I'm seeing my ENT consultant in February. I see him twice yearly since my illness of Bacterial Meningitis, caused by ETD. The mucus turned bacterial, crossed the blood/brain barrier and meningitis ensued. Dreadful time and lost the sight in my left eye and hearing down in right ear, plus dizziness when lying flat. I always recommend to people on this forum that suffer ETD to get protected if the ear aches and get antibiotics.
Hope you soon feel better as know how awful this condition is.
Regards
Anne
lynnrose
Posted
Hi Anne
That sounds awful!
so you have the mucous ETD not the dry, is that right?
I am in England, doctor has put me on Rhinocourt Aqua for 2-3 weeks to try and clear it up.
Do you know if anyone actually recovers from ETD, it doesn't seem so on the forums.
How do you sleep with the stuffiness?
i have it in both nostrils and mouth.
I have only been on steroid spray for a few days so maybe it'll take time to kick in.
do you take antihistamines aswell?
anne05078 lynnrose
Posted
Hello again, Usually, once you start the steroid sprays you have to use them continuously, they build up. I used to use Rhinocort and it was brilliant to begin with, but like I've said now immune to them and need stronger. To get you through the night to allow you to breath properly buy the purple box of Otrivine Nasal spray, it will open your airways in the nose. It says on box don't use longer than a week. Well, last Winter I overused it and I didn't get a rebound affect at all.
I can't say that I've heard of dry nose and mouth. Do you get Post Nasal Drip ? I do and once I use the Flixonase Nasul Drops it goes away for a while.
You're right, once ETD kicks in, one is very lucky if it ever goes.....relief at times, like I have had since April, but not holding my breath for anything permanent !! My consultant won't put in the grommets as he told me once the hole heals over and they fall out the cycle will start all over again. I did have an operation a year after the meningitis....helped for a while.
I have a brilliant ENT consutant at my local hospital and so understanding. He's had to microsuction all the mucus from my left eardrum six times already this year. I'm sure I cause the perforations myself when I keep trying to pop open the Eustachian tubes. The relief once he's done the procedure is wonderful, it's just keeping on top of it and not allow the mucus to build up....hence the reason every 4 days I use the Nasules. So pleased you're in England too, if yours gets bad you can follow my lead. I never ended up using the nasules this morning, but had to pop the tubes open a few times while out today....damp weather doesn't help me and if it's too hot and humid ETD is dreadful. I also take a daily Citrizine antihistamine.
Anne