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Problems with elevators/stairs in buildings

Posted , 2 users are following.

erica27186
erica27186

I've seen a lot about flying as an issue for eustachian tube dysfuntion, but I haven't seen any discussion about problems with buildings. I live in NYC and have been dealing with full-ears for 3 months. I have had some success with Astelin and Flonase where my symptoms seem to be impoving. I'm in grad school and my classes are on the 19th floor. I walk the stairs up and typically can clear as I go up, but descending is extremely difficuilt. It causes my ears to go haywire. I make frequent stops in the stairwell like a scuba diver - reading for 5-15 minutes every 3 floors, but this only reduces my problems slightly. By the time I'm in the subway, but bad ear is just completely blocked and is like that for the rest of the day, slightly bettered by my evening astelin spray. Do others have this issue? I've started skyping into classes and am really reconsidering whether or not I can handle living in a city with this issue. I've tried ear planes and it has helped some, but it can also make me feel dizzier and sometimes I can't clear my ears at all on the 19th floor or at all that day, so the ear plugs are kinda worthless at that point, right? 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • joshs
    joshs erica27186

    Posted

    Yeah, I used to work on the 50th floor so I understand completely. If you think it's beginning to clear up you could get PET tubes in the meantime, that'll bascially make you immune to pressure issues from elevation changes. I'd definitely consider it, you just want to try to make sure your also fixing the root problem so you'll be good when the tubes come out. The earplanes just slow down the pressure change, like how you're stopping every three floors. If you can't equalize at some point though they will only delay the inevitable...
    • erica27186
      erica27186 joshs

      Posted

      Yikes, 50th floor must have been a nightmare. I am considering tubes, have you had them? I'm thinking about sticking with the nose sprays for another week or two. Thank you for your reply. 
  • Olizzieo
    Olizzieo erica27186

    Posted

    Hi Erica, that is awful!!! Are you under an ENT? You can have a grommett inserted into each ear which will resolve symptoms. You have to be careful not get water in your ears but millions of children a year have grommets for eustachian tube dysfunction ETD. Even though you may not be getting fluid behind your ear drums, the affect it is having on your life is quite devastating if you can't go to classes. There is also balloon dilation of your Eustachian tubes, but you will need to find an ENT that performs this. Whatever you do, speak to an ENT who specialises in eustachian tube dysfunction and if you don't find relief go to a second ENT. Good luck!!
    • erica27186
      erica27186 Olizzieo

      Posted

      Thank you for the sympathy and advice. It has really felt debilitating and it's nice to have people who can relate. I am seeing an ENT, actually two. I guess they both agree that it's ETD, but the cause is questionable - allergies, barometric trauma, tmj and acid reflux have all been thrown around. That leaves a lot of uncertainty and I'm finding that is most people's experiences who end up with these issues. I am very interesting in the balloon dialation or tubes if this can't clear up. I have tried to read some medical journals and have been lurking on forums. ETD diagnosis really doesn't seem to bring anyone closer to resolution, just kinda a here you go, you have this now. 
  • Olizzieo
    Olizzieo erica27186

    Posted

    ETD is a hard one. Keep looking until you find someone that has an answer for you. I am glad you have a couple of ENT's!! I am sure they will suggest what I suggested if other interventions don't improve your symptoms. Thinking of you!! xx
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