Middle ear problems
Posted , 3 users are following.
I'm suffering from middle ear atelectasis(bilateral retraction of tympanic membranes) after suffering from acute otitis media(both ears). I've been given all possible medication(antibiotics, steroids, nasal sprays, mucolytic etc.) and my ENT is suggesting me to get ear grommets fitted which I'm not very keen on. Otitis media lasted for a couple of weeks(Oct 30th-Nov 14th) and as of today, my ENT says there's still negative pressure in the middle ears. I'm also suffering from tinnitus(hissing/whistling+light beeps) since two months. Whenever I yawn or swallow I hear a loud crackling noise in my left ear. I'm performing valsalva about 7-8 times a day. What is causing that loud crackling noise in my left ear? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
0 likes, 4 replies
anne05078 eusta88373
Posted
Hello, You're suffering Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, that's mucus stuck in your tubes.
The tubes obviously have inflammation. So surprised the Prednisolone tablets didn't work
by getting rid of it all. wondering how long a course you were prescribed, as one week
just isn't long enough when ears are badly blocked. I was prescribed a 20 day reducing
course back in April and it worked for me. Tinnitus is part of suffering ETD, I have that
too.
Try doing inhalations, put a towel over your head under a bow of steaming hot water, for
at least 20 minutes, then try and pop your ears, this someties works for me. Otitis media
started my ETD over 30 yrs ago and still suffering to this day. But at the moment I seem
to have it under control for 6 days at a time, then I use my prescribed Flixonase Nasule
drops and all's well for another 6 days....I can cope with that.
Do you suffer Sinus and Allergy issues, as that's how mine started.
Regards
Anne
eusta88373 anne05078
Posted
Hi Anne, thanks for the reply. I was having cold on and off throughout the month of October. I do have issue with my tonsils. That's how I usually end up catching cold. I'm an airline pilot and I guess I flew when I hadn't fully recovered. I had no idea because symptomatically, I felt okay. Then all the problems started. Nov 1-Nov 7: first course of antibiotics which didn't help. My ENT doctor then changed the antibiotic from Nov 8th. That very day, tinnitus started and I was told to start a short course of steroids as well(Deflazacort 12mg) for a week. Nov 14th, my medication ended and the infection was gone. In addition to the following medication, I was also told to use an antihistamine(once a day) and Fluticasone nasal spray(twice a day), inhale steam and do some salt water gargling. The ENT doctor told me that although the infection was gone, I had retracted eardrums. I then, went to another ENT specialist(#2) on the 21st Nov and he noticed my retracted eardrums and then asked me to get a nasal endoscopy done to rule out enroaching adenoids and the test turned out to be fine. Got a pure tone audiometry done too which showed Bilateral Minimal Conductive hearing loss. I was then put on a dose of mucolytic for a couple of weeks. I did not really find much relief and then visited him again on the 6th Dec. This time, he had a look at my ears and straightaway told me I have bilateral glue ear and asked me to continue the mucolytic for another 3 weeks. I was not too satisfied because whenever I yawned or swallowed, I was getting some sort of a sticky sound in my ears(more in the left)so consulted another ENT(#3). She had a look at my ears and wasn't too sure if there was any fluid behind my eardrums however in the prescription she wrote it as Serous-OM. She put me on a course of prednisolone for a couple of weeks and I did find some relief however, as I yawn or swallow, my left ear still crackles really loud!
Finally I went back to ENT(#1) and he tells me there's no fluid at all and it's just the negative pressure which is causing the retracted eardrums. He tells me it's a grade 3 retraction.
Now, do I still have ETD? Did that nasal endoscopy rule out ETD? Else, what could be the problem?
I'm mentally exhausted. With all the thinking I've done, I've actually managed to ignore the tinnitus that came along lol..
anne05078 eusta88373
Posted
Hello again,
Thanks for all that information....you certainly have been through the mill. It does sound like ETD to me. I've suffered this condition for so long now I know all the symptoms.
I've often wondered whether Airline pilots suffer with their ears. I've had the nasal endoscopy too and no it doesn't rule out ETD. May I ask which country you're in. The nasal sprays no longer work for me sadly, they just aren't strong enough. Here in England I'm prescribed the Flixonase Nasule drops, which are brilliant......don't think they are available in the US. My nephew is a pharmacist over there and he told me only the steroid sprays are available.
It seems you've exhausted every avenue and like you've said you're exhausted yourself too. I understand this. ETD is such a debilitating condition. I haven't been on holiday abroad in 5 years due to ETD and had six perforations in my left eardrum already this year....too scared to fly with altitude !!
I would say you've 100% got Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.
Because I bang on how good the Flixonase Naules are, I was accused by a person on this Forum that I was a distributor of the stuff and the Forum should remove me. I couldn't believe what I was reading. If it was possible for me to get hold of the stuff I'd give it to everyone free of charge that wanted to try it. I've never had such relief that I'm getting now after suffering this wretched problem for over 30 yrs.
I do hate keep repeating myself, however, for those people that don't scroll down to read mine and other peoples posts, they won't know what potentially could help them....that woman was insulting and rude. I almost left the Forum, but didn't, as I've become friendly with some lovely people that are grateful for any info I can help them with.
I'm so happy that I now seem to have mine under control and will be sure that my ENT consultant who sees me twice yearly since my bout of Bacterial Pneumococcal Meningitis will be happy too. One should never leave ETD without being assessed and covered by antibiotics. Meningitis is a rare occurrence, however, potentially could happen to anyone. I was on the Meningitis Forum a year after my recovery, a man I was talking to had the same as myself caused by ETD. The bacteria can cross the blood/brain barrier as it did in my case and Bingo, seriously ill, losing the sight in my left eye and hearing down in my right ear, also vertigo when lying down. I would hate this to ever happen to anyone else.
Are you off sick with ETD, flying won't help and could make it worse.
Regards
Anne
terrie27149 eusta88373
Posted
I too have the tinnitis, the crackling, popping sounds in my ears, sometimes weird feelings in my head, lightheadedness, and like waves..can't really explain. Have had like the sound of a door slamming as well. Ent said to hold my nose and blow with mouth closed like 20 x a day..that's it. So I'm assuming I have ETD as well, but reading Annes pist, had no idea this could lead to meningitis..scary..Wonder what med I can get here in the stated equal to the one she suggests?