Struggling with proper diagnosis, any ideas what to do next?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi all,
Bit of pre-info to my problem:
For 10-12 months now I have had pressure in both ears with clicking and popping sounds when I yawn, swallow etc. Like when your ears pop when the pressure changes on plane. I am constantly trying to equalize my ears by holding both nostrils and breath out through the nose still closed which provides a minimal amount of relief.If I breath in and out with my nostrils closed I can get a sqweaking sound from my ears (mainly my right ear).
This pressure varies throughout the day and causes tinnitus. The tinnitus varies with the pressure (or as I call it suction). So if the pressure is at its worst then tinnitus is really loud.
First off I had my ears flushed out with water by a nurse as assumed it was wax but it changed nothing.
After several trips to the Dr and many ear and nasal sprays later (with last nasal spray being Beconase) the Dr diagnosed Esutacian Tube Dysfunction. She then referred me to a specialist.
My visit to the specialist:
Well I was expecting a specialist to diagnose exactly and suggest a treatment/operation - I had high hopes! 
However, what it turned out to be was an audiology specialist who basically asked lots of questions and did a hearing test (which showed my hearing to be fairly normal).
I had already told her (and Dr previously) my hearing was ok (apart from the ringing sound in both ears). But I think because my notes said tinnitus they focused on that. I told them many times the tinnitus appears to be caused by the pressure (in my mind, no pressure then no tinnitus). So the tinnitus seems a bi-product of the pressure to me at least.
She also did a test by putting device in my ears that checks for blockages and sends the results to a computer. This showed ok for me as well.
She basically said as your hearing is ok I can not refer you to ENT (who I thought I was seeing in the first place).
She suggested getting back to my GP and getting them to write another letter referring me to an ENT. Very frustrating, especially as I know the waiting list times etc.
So i'm a bit of a loss what to do. It's not something I can really live with. It has changed my live drastically and I'm struggling with work etc.
I thought maybe going private to an ENT specialist might be the way to go (even though it's going to be expensive).
Has anyone else experienced these symptoms in both ears? What step would you suggest next? Is it worth going private?
Or even any relief you may know of.
Cheers!
0 likes, 3 replies
l_29138 tim92173
Posted
Let me start off by saying you are so not alone!! I had the exact same symptoms besides the tinnitus that lasted every single day for a course of 6 months. I went to ENTS, primary doctors, urgent cares, got my ears flushed and even went on antibiotics!! I thought it was allergies or pressurization issues. I had no idea! It was even affecting other things. The popping was non stop every time I swallowed. I got to the point of severe depression because of this, no one understood and my fiancé was so sick of hearing about it. I did everything possible then I thought maybe it could be my diet? I usually overlook this but it is really true that how we eat affects everything. I transitioned to veganism about 10 months ago. Suddenly I made some sort of correlation by researching vitamin deficiency and ETD. I picked up eating meat again along with making sure I got the most of EVERY vitamin in every meal and after a week and a half, the ears stopped popping. I did not think it would be the answer but I’m not sure if that was just a coincidence or what. I have not had much popping for this whole month and am praying it stays that way! The only time it pops is in the morning when I first wake up for some reason but i don’t care because i can live my life normally at work and socially now without having to deal with it! I would consider looking into if you’re deficient in any vitamins with your doctor, it doesn’t hurt to try.
tim92173 l_29138
Posted
Thanks for the reply, good to know I'm not alone!
I will certainly look at changing my diet and ask the Dr about the vitamin deficiency... if I can even partial beat it like that then i'll be very happy
terrie27149 l_29138
Posted
Can you share what vitamins seems to help. I know I'm on vit d, but that hasn't helped..just started takin curcuminum..hoping that helps. I was also low on b12..no help tho..