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SEVERE anxiety from this ETD

Posted , 6 users are following.

jill67883
jill67883

I have clicking in both ears after being aggressively treated for Otitis Externa.  I have no visible infection (says ENT).  I cry a lot and have read that rhinitis can create ETD.  I am trying not to cry now but this condition has increased my already high anxiety 100%.  I AM FREAKING OUT.  Can anyone offer me any consolation or advice, PLEASE???

0 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

  • Magi777
    Magi777 jill67883

    Posted

    Iv thumping in my left ear for a few months now I also have allergies been seen by the ENT doc and sent for MRI on Thursday past waiting nervously on results now as she seemed to think something was wrong, my anxiety is very high at the min too. I'm so scared it's something bad in my ear or neck I feel the way you do

    • jill67883
      jill67883 Magi777

      Posted

      I'm so sorry.  But let me say that the Doctors always have to do as many tests as possible because they are afraid of being sued.  A neurologist sent me for a brain scan because I have occular migraines (no pain, just weird and short eye thing) but he did not expect to see anything in the scan, he just had to do it.  You might simply have EDT, might not be anything else, but I know this is very scary and the first thing you are thinking is brain tumor.  VERY RARE.  Please update this post when you get results.

    • Magi777
      Magi777 jill67883

      Posted

      I will Jill thank you it's such a worrying time , I hope you feel better soon too

    • Magi777
      Magi777

      Posted

      Ok so I went for my MRI results yesterday to be told nothing showed up regarding my ear and neck that they earlier thought something was there very relieved indeed but then tonne told by accident they saw something on my nasal symmetry so I got the camera put up through my right nostril and have to go in in two weeks time to get a biopsy... so worried again
  • Olizzieo
    Olizzieo jill67883

    Posted

    Hi Jill, the great thing about ears is that you can usually find someone that can sort them out but it takes time and knowing who to see. Not sure if you are on medication for anxiety but I think it is something you need to look at. Needing medication can make you feel like you are defeated but it can be such a saviour, even if only for a little while. Book in to an audiologist to have your middle ear function assessed. It will give you so much information about what is happening with your ears. Once you get an audiogram and tympanogram from the audiologist, let me know what they say and I can direct you after that. I have suffered with anxiety for 30 years so I understand how terrifying it is. Remember, anxiety and depression are just fear. If you can live in the now, what is happening now NOT what might happened later that day, tomorrow or next week - it can reduce your anxiety. Hard to do but if you can do it to any degree, it can reduce your level of anxiety. Sending lots of love xxxx
    • jill67883
      jill67883 Olizzieo

      Posted

      TY very much.  I am on anxiety medication, I suffer from complicated grief and this ear thing has taken me down and out emotionally and worsened my loss.  I am seeing the audiologist on Thursday and the ENT on Friday.  I will update my results.  TY again.
    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo jill67883

      Posted

      It is very common for ears to make anxiety worse because of the effect on the balance mechanism. I think anxiety is one of the cruelest afflictions possible!!! Sending you love and support!! xx

       

  • anne05078
    anne05078 jill67883

    Posted

    Hello Jill,

    I too suffer severe Rhinitis and Clogged ears too.  I've suffered Tinnitus for over 20 years and have learnt to live with it.  I have notived recently that the sound has changed and I sometimes get clicking too.  There is no known cure for tinnitus, sadly.  Try and keep your sinues clear and do sinus rinses.  I use NeilMed Sinus Rinse.  Recommended for Allergies, Sinus Pressure & Nasal atuffiness.  Nasal Irritation from House Dust, Fumes, Animal Dander.  Give it a try.  I get very congested and find this helps.  But my biggest problem is blocked ears, that is a miserable condition and so very hard to get rid of without continually using Steriod based nasal spray, which I used for years and year.

    Regards

    Anne

    (In England)

     

    • jenny16777
      jenny16777 anne05078

      Posted

      Hi Ann I have question I saw that you wrote you have blocked ears I am experiencing the same thing my ears get clogged and get pressure in it but I noticed it's from my nose being so blocked up this has caused me major anxiety as it comes and goes I just got percsribed nasal steriods do those help you with the ears dose it keep your nasal passages open sorry for all the questions I'm just in fear and total panic mode from this any advise is apperiated thank you

    • jill67883
      jill67883 anne05078

      Posted

      TY for your input.  I will discuss with the ENT the NeilMed Sinus Rinse but my ETD is being caused by rhinitis due to crying a lot.  I am going to ask him for steroid nasal spray.  I do have tinnitus but this clicking is not related to that.  TY again.
    • anne05078
      anne05078 jenny16777

      Posted

      Hi Jenny,

      Yes, my ears have played me up for over thirty years now.  Unfortunately, and I keep repeating this message to others.  I suffered baterial meningitis due to this problem, in 1994, so one must be careful with eustachian tube dysfunction that it doesn't turn into ear infections, which happened to me.  The mucus sat in the eustachian tube and turned nasty.   You would get a very bad earache if this happened though and it is very rare for this to happen....I was very unlucky.  Although I suffer severe ETD I never get an earache these days.  If I did I'd immediately get myself on antibiotics.  If your situation with this problem is severe, you need to probably ask your GP for Prednisolone tablets and depending how bad your ear/ears are the length of the course you'll need.  If it's longer than i week, you have to use what's called the reducing method with the tablets.  Flixonase Nasule Drops are very good too, but can only be used for a maximum of 6 weeks.  After that if, or when it returns use Flixonase Aqueous Nasal Spray.  I've been through Sinus Operations, but sadly this problem stays with me.  I've purchased expensive Air Purifers and done everything possible to eleviate this blessed ear problem.  I suffer sinisitis and allergies too, so very hard to completely eradicate.  What is the name of the steriod nasal spray you've been prescribed.  I've used so many over the years to no avail. However, I have found that Flixonase is the best for me.

      Good Luck

      Anne

  • merlin17090
    merlin17090 jill67883

    Posted

    JIll,

    ?Please see your m.d. re; an anti anxiety drug. Xanax has helped me tremendously for the anxiety and tenseness in my life. I have an evaluation scheduled for 2/24/2017 for the baloon dilation of the eustachian tube.Very optimistic this could make things right again . I will keep you all posted on my progress if you'd like .....and thanks to all on this forum for the advice , empathy, and just for caring enough in helping all of us out who are suffering with this condition   

    • jenny16777
      jenny16777 merlin17090

      Posted

      Hi merlin I'm looking into anti anxiety meds since having ETD has caused me alot of anxiety would you say xnanx is a better option I have never took anything so I'm scared how dose it make you feel I'm also looking into surgery please let me know on your progress best of luck wishing everyone healing on here

    • merlin17090
      merlin17090 jenny16777

      Posted

      jenny,

      ?personally I have had no adverse effects fron taking Xanax. It provides a relaxing feeling and a distraction to the physical symptoms form the ETD. Your MD should recommend the proper dosage based on you medical history. I am currently on a 1 mg pill 2 x a day with no major side effects. You may feel a little drowsy and i have found it does increase my appetite a bit, but that's about it. Give it  a try for a while at least and see how you respond. Good luck !

      Merlin

    • jill67883
      jill67883 merlin17090

      Posted

      Yes please let us know how that balloon dilation works for you!  I'm seeng ENT on Friday, the clicking is driving me up walls and there seems to be a minor obstruction in my right ear, could be only more weeping skin, though, since I'm far from done with that!  Re: Xanax, yes I take it and it does help.  If the balloon dilation works for you I will talk to my ENT about doing it should this ETD persist!  TY

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo jill67883

      Posted

      Hi Jill, I take Zoloft/Sertraline and have found it takes a great deal of the anxiety away. The first two weeks I had stomach aches but after that I lost the feeling of being "out of it". It was like being normal again which after 6 years, was almost a miracle. One of my friends has not had success with Zoloft. I think seeing a psychiatrist that specialises in anxiety disorder, is the best way to go but they are not cheap.

    • jill67883
      jill67883 Olizzieo

      Posted

      I have a psychiatrist at a large teaching hospital and she takes my insurance!!! That is a miracle around here!  I'm seeing her Friday unless the snow is really bad tomorrow, I will ask about Zoloft.  TY.

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo jill67883

      Posted

      Snow!!! I am so jealous. I live in Perth, Australia and we are celebrating because we finally received a day of rain!!! I hope she can help with your anxiety until you can have your ETD resolved. I am sure the two go hand in hand. Possibly because of the effect on balance? x
    • jill67883
      jill67883 Olizzieo

      Posted

      ONE FOOT OF SNOW.  You can have it lol.  Went to P Dr., she put me (temporarily, you can't take this drug for a long time) on Abilify (don't know the generic) because my anxiety and grief related issues are really over the top.  It's a low dose.  I'll take that and then move over to Zoloft.  Thanks for that recommendation, my P. Dr. said it's a very good drug for anxiety and PTSD!  <3

    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo jill67883

      Posted

      OOps, I used a swear word and my reply is being moderated. In clean terms, I hope it works well for you and you have lot of love and support to get you through this awful (not the word I used) time xxx
    • Olizzieo
      Olizzieo jill67883

      Posted

      Oh Jill that is so sad. Everyone needs friends to lean on. Can you find a support group in your area? Perhaps people who are also facing grief? Sending much love your way xxx
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