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Where are the people who had Eustachian tube balloon dilation?????

Posted , 12 users are following.

miss00623
miss00623

What are the results? Does this work?

Is there a recovery time? What happens during recovery? Why can't I find success stories from the balloon procedure?

I'm supposed to have the balloon dilation on Friday and honestly I'm starting to change my mind. I've had this for over 2 years and I don't know if I can do the roller coaster of thinking I'm going to be healed to not be. I find it crazy that I can't find any success stories on here.

0 likes, 41 replies

41 Replies

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  • tony0321
    tony0321 miss00623

    Posted

    Hello miss00623.

    I am aware of at least one person in this forum who found the procedure alleviated their symptoms and that the benefits have lasted even a few years after they had it done. So it may be worth you going ahead with the surgery. However not all of us have been so lucky. I had balloon dilation done one year ago and unfortunately it did nothing to improve my symptoms (blocked/clogged ears, constant crackling and clicking including when I swallow - in addition to tinnitus). I tried balloon dilation surgery after having no success with a lengthy course of nasal steroids. The otovent balloon and the (expensive) EarPopper also did not help me. I am wondering whether it would be worth my while having the eustachian tube balloon dilation procedure repeated, a year later, by another surgeon. Has anybody on this forum had the surgery performed more than once, and did it work a second time?

    • miss00623
      miss00623 tony0321

      Posted

      Hey tony!

      Do you know what is causing your ETD?

      Did the dialation make your symptoms worse?

    • miss00623
      miss00623 tony0321

      Posted

      I'm in Pennsylvania

      Who did your dialation last year?

      I have a friend who had hers done by dr. Weeks and so far 5 weeks out her symptoms are the same prior to surgery.

      They say she may have some healing still to do.

      I've had this for two years now

      Started with a cold, turned sinus infection to ear infection then ETD before then I had never even had an ear infection.

      I'm having the dialation tomorrow but worried this could make my ETD worse. That is giving me crazy amounts of anxiety

    • tony0321
      tony0321 miss00623

      Posted

      My ETD started soon after a sudden hearing loss in one ear about two and a half years ago. About a week or so after that event I noticed tinnitus and about that time my ETD symptoms also started. So they seem to be related but so far despite seeing many specialists nobody can really tell me what happened - but some think it was a type of infection.

      As for your second question the dilation had no effect - negative or positive - on my symptoms. I had no complications as a result of the surgery.

    • tony0321
      tony0321 miss00623

      Posted

      I had the dilation done in France. I was in touch also with Dr. Weeks. But because I am not a US citizen/resident I would have had to pay all the costs myself, and without medical coverage there it was too expensive for me to have it done in the USA.
    • miss00623
      miss00623 tony0321

      Posted

      I know she had to pay also but she is us resident.

      I know Diane on here who was one of the first patients of dr. Weeks had the surgery done twice.

      I would definitely consider having it done again if there was no ill effects.

      Maybe your doctor didn't do the full dialation if it was a completely new procedure there.

      that's what happen with her they weren't really sure how much to dilate it was still all very new.

      She went Back a second time they dilated more and she's been fine ever since.

      Tomorrow I will be my ENT's first patient. That makes me nervous but I have faith in him.

    • tony0321
      tony0321 miss00623

      Posted

      Good luck! I wish you all the best and hope to hear that it was successful.
    • michael11955
      michael11955 miss00623

      Posted

      I too join everyone else in wishing you a great success & for it to be permanent.

      The name & address of the balloon company or email woulod be a good help.

    • Casey1337
      Casey1337 miss00623

      Posted

      Hello miss!  I was wondering where in Pennsylvania you are and what doctor you went to for the procedure. I have ET issues with both ears apparently and have been seeing upmc doctors in Pittsburgh. Just looking for any info from someone with experience with the condition.  Also, I was wondering how things are now that you are about a year out from surgery. I hope to hear from you. 
  • edm420
    edm420 miss00623

    Posted

    Hi,

    How was your operation? smile 

    Waiting for my turn this May. So curious too hear.

    • miss00623
      miss00623 edm420

      Posted

      Hey!!!  I'm doing ok.  I'm still crackling but my doctor told me I have to wait till the inflammation comes down.  They had to move something on my right side to go past my deviated septum to get to my right eustachian tube.  Show me a picture of my luck eustachian tube and it was completely closed.  They also did a my ringtone. The surgery itself was successful both  Eustachian tube are dilated hopefully enough to stop the crackling and popping. Time will tell. 

       

    • edm420
      edm420 miss00623

      Posted

      Happy to hear your operation went well. Can I ask if you've experienced any hearing difference right after surgery, good or bad?

    • miss00623
      miss00623 edm420

      Posted

      My hearing is the same or feels the same . But when I talk my hearing or my voice sounds like I'm talking in a barrel but it has definitely subsided since Friday and will continue to improve because I totally believe it's just from the inflammation

      There is definitely a recover period from this procedure especially if you have any complications like a deviated septum ect...

    • mark71416
      mark71416 miss00623

      Posted

      Hey miss

      not sure if u still check this. I had my dilation done 4 days ago and have the voice in a barrel thing you mentioned. Did yours go away?

    • michael11955
      michael11955 mark71416

      Posted

      I've not had the dilation done as I'm advised by the specialists it's not routinely done in Britain.Also in the cases that are done (mainly in children) that the problem tends to recur.The huge pressure is still there.

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