ENT :: Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Or Something Else?
This started around late November 2013, I started getting my normal Winter allergies and then came down with what I now believe was a sinus infection. Non-stop mucus, post nasal drip, face hurting, head throbbing etc.. This lasted for about two weeks. During the end of this and soon after, my ears slowly became more and more congested. I attested it to these allergies/sickness and thought it would slowly go away.
It never did. Instead, it started getting worse. Towards mid-December, I began to get slight ringing and more fullness in my ears. Soon the tinnitus grew worse and worse. My tinnitus during this point was extremely loud high-pitched noises, sweeping in and out. Coupled with 24/7 hiss, like an air conditioner was on in my room. Can't hear high frequencies anymore. A loud tea kettle-esque whistle in my right ear if I hear something of a certain pitch or something too "loud."
I saw my primary care doctor on two separate occasions, who said he saw a little liquid in my ear but that my eardrums appeared fine. He gave me Prednisone. No help. I got recommended to the Head and Neck specialist.
The first specialist I see, he doesn't really care to listen to me to say the least. He does get me a hearing test within a few days though. The hearing test shows a curve that they say can be attested to sensorineural hearing loss that someone my age (23) shouldn't have, and that since my hearing dropped with the timeliness of my sickness, that it was odd.
I see a different specialist next trip. He attests it to allergies and says that my eustachian tubes seem to be blocked up. He looks in my ears, up my sinuses, etc.. He recommends I just use a sinus rinse and to not get my ears drained because that will probably make things a lot worse.
I began to do so for the next week or two, and my symptoms did not seem to change at all. I had already been taking flonase and allergy medication as well, to not much help for my ears.
Lastly, I saw another specialist about a week or two ago. He told me that my hearing test showed what he typically would cite as congenital hearing loss, and kept implying that I had been born with bad hearing (That's definitely not the case, this has been a HUGE shift!) He had me do bloodwork for environmental allergies and other tests and a CT scan. I also asked for antibiotics just to rule things out- those have been used up now.
To say the least, I had to call back a few times as a follow-up. They didn't even bother to get in touch for my results, and all I learned was that I did have mild allergies (something I've known my whole life) and that the CT scan was "fine." I ordered those results to be sent to me to see for myself, but either way I guess he hasn't much interest in seeing me again. Do I see ANOTHER specialist now?
Right now, my tinnitus is not as bad as it was then (I could barely sleep then) but still extremely irritating. The tinnitus is still like that of an air conditioner, and there is still a constant ring that goes on, although it is a bit quieter than before. My hearing is still congested and full, and I can hardly hear someone talk a few feet away from me, I'm afraid my hearing may be permanently damaged or getting worse. I can no longer hear certain frequencies. Sometimes I feel like there is liquid in my ear, but maybe not. Wouldn't the CT scan or other ear examinations show that? Is this actually ETD?
I've done all the advice shown around (Proper Flonase spray to the tubes, Sudafed, (extremely careful) Afrin use, etc. I feel like I'm not getting better. My passion is music and I'm afraid I'll never be able to hear things "right" again.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction For 2 Years!
I am a teenager,aged 15. I have been suffering from problems with my eustachian tube for 2 years now. I felt thumping,buzzing,vibrations come from within my ear-but at the same time I felt the symptoms to DEEPER into my ear. It has created some headaches and I have to pause between conversations to attempt to unblock my ear.
However,nowadays I cannot unblock my ear properly. The 'stuffed-up' feeling I get has gone even DEEPER. I got an okay in many audiometry tests (PTA tests) and I got a weird thing that sucked out all the mucus in my throat a good 2 TIMES.
The doctor says it will go within time. I've had for 2 YEARS already, It would be terrible to go on like this without being able to swallows properly! Yes,one of my symptoms is the inability to swallow properly without the pressure building up where my tube is at-it makes me go light-headed and faint sometimes.I've tried taking nasal sprays,but they were hell as the steroids made my adenoids act up and swell (but my adenoids are okay now).One point to add,I have only got a deficiency in Vitamin D and I have no thyroid deficiency.
A few questions:
1: Does any UK hospital or the NHS have a cure/treatment to this?
2: Is it normal for teenagers to have ETD for a long period of time such as 2 years?
3: Do home remedies work,like the Candle Ear treatment? I've tried steam treatment but it doesn't work.
Please give some suggestions, It's truly uncomfortable getting out into the cold or out into the hot with such a feeling of 'stuffiness'.
Chronic Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
I have been reading the boards about ETD and all the other potential causes of my ear problems for the last 6 months and am still without a clue what is causing my particular issue.
The story is long and like so many others on these boards also very frustrating. In March I was diagnosed with and inner ear virus as I was dizzy, foggy headed and had a slight sensation of fullness in my left ear (all occurred less than 24 hours after a 3 hour flight). This lasted for 3 weeks at the end of the three weeks all symptoms subsided except for the constant need to "pop" my ears. This lasted 4 days and was gone.
For 3 weeks I was symptom free, I had to take another flight which went off without any problems. For days after the flight I had spells of dizziness and on day 7 after the flight hear came the ear fullness and need to "pop" my ears.
Went back to the ENT and was told I have ETD and will resolve....6 months, 4 ENT's and an Allergist later my ears still feel pressurized. I have mad improvement over the months and instead of having to "pop" my ear 1 million times a day I am down to maybe a half a dozen.
My major concerns are:
While driving my ears bother me the most I feel increased pressure instantly no matter if the windows are open or closed.
Also I have post nasal drip MD diagnosed with non allergic rhinitis, never had that prior to the dizziness and ear issues.
ENT and others say it will go away it just takes time, I have not read of anyone's ETD going away on this board and feel like I can not live with this forever!
What are your opinions: will it resolve over time are we stuck with this forever?
I have been on oral and nasal steroid no significant improvement, I am doing acupuncture and seeing a chiropractor. I am negative for any allergies and my MRI came back negative.
The next step is tubes which they say can help in 50% of case and may make it worse in the other 50%, as much as I want this to go away I can not even take the chance of making it worse.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Cause Vertigo That Lasts A Couple Of Hours?
I have recently been diagnosed with Meniere's disease because I had a few vertigo attacks, hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness.
However, after much thought I am beginning to doubt that diagnosis. My ETD had been blocked for exactly the same time my symptoms appeared, I know that easily through the valsalva maneuver, my good ear is clear and bad one is blocked. Also, my bad ear does not pop properly after a flight. And my most severe symptoms happen within a few days after flying, which happened twice. I was vertigo free for 6 weeks in between the 2 flights. Another weird thing is I only get vertigo attacks in the morning right after I wake up, as if my horizontal sleeping position had something to do with it.
My questions:
1) Is it possible with ETD to get vertigo (room spinning) or severe dizziness attacks lasting up to a couple of hours?
2) Do any of you ETD sufferers sense that you get more dizzy after you get up from bed?
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction :: Information, Symptoms And Treatment / Cure
As far as I know, there is not ETD cure, yet. I am interested in finding one. I am a Caucasian 34 year old man living in Santa Clara, CA. I have a BA in Psychology and work in a Neuroscience Lab. I was diagnosed with ETD a year ago. I have been suffering from it for 17 years. 13 years ago I had a bought of Bulimia that lasted for about a year. I had Anorexia Nervosa as an adolescent. I was given the maximum dose of testosterone to boost me through puberty since Anorexia was preventing it. Soon after I abused alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and various other drugs until 2005. I believe all these factors have contributed to my ETD. I was diagnosed with OCD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder two years ago and have been taking Effexor (Venlafaxine) to cope. An Ear, Nose, Throat doctor (currently called Head and Neck surgeon in US) prescribed me Flunisolide (corticosteroid) to reduce ETD inflammation. It seems to help a little, but it is certainly not a cure, even when used for a significant period of time (i.e. 3 weeks).
My ETD has been recently aggravated by my attempts to remove pimples and skin tags, which may be a symptom of OCD. Has anyone else experienced this situation? Numerous doctors say there is no connection between the skin abrasions and ETD, but they obviously don't have ETD.
Primarily, I am asking for information regarding ETD. I need to know the statistics of ETD so that I can develop a valid research proposal. Health organizations neglect to respond to my questions. It seems that most biological research is involved in diseases such as cancer and heart disease, which is great. But, as I am sure that anyone reading this knows, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction is a debilitating disease that hinders one's ability to live to their fullest potential. As I have recently graduated with a Bachelors degree. I am researching what my next step will be. I am strongly leaning towards statistics and data mining, since that is a much needed position in all research fields.
I am looking for information on the number of people with ETD worldwide and specific to certain regions. A timeline of ETD cases in these regions. Research groups, Academic and Professional, that are researching ETD. Research groups that are investigating ETD from the Neuroscience and/or Ear, Nose, Throat (Head and Neck surgery) perspective. Any other information is helpful as well, especially your own personal accounts of ETD. Please share your history, as much as you care to disclose, so that I can begin to develop an etiology of ETD.
I have read many of the other discussions on ETD and recognize that many of you are suffering and I certainly empathize with you all. I am still trying to decide if my anxiety disorders are the result of ETD, my ETD the result of my anxiety disorders, if they are mutually intertwined, and/or if something else is going on. I very much hope to hear from you so that we may begin to develop a cure for ETD so that we may not be hindered by this ruthless malfunction.
Anxiety :: Excess Mucus
I'm 69 & only have had 2 significant health issues over the past 7 or so years:-
1) BPH with a permanent indwelling catheter for 3 years..
2) chronic mucus production.
the BPH has been recently sorted with a TURP but the mucus problem is still ongoing.& seems to be triggered if i want to go out or do some simple task in the house - i just cough it up to the point of being sick - the mucus is clear, sticky & sometimes frothy.
strangely the "attacks" never happen in anyone's presence & when i was in hospital for the TURP & before that for 2 weeks suffering from urine retention "the attacks" never happened at all.(??)
Sore Throat :: Tonsillitis - Excess Mucus Causing Swallowing Difficulties
I am 16 years old and have been experiencing my latest (and worst yet) bout of tonsillitis for the past 4-5 days. I have been taking soluble aspirin and paracetamol, and today my GP prescribed me some soluble penicillin antibiotics to help fight it off. However, I am experiencing lots of thick green mucus in my throat and a yellow-greenish coating of mucus on my tongue that just will not go away no matter how many times I spit it out. The mucus is causing many difficulties for me in terms of swallowing food and drink, as (with drinks) either I swallow some of the mucus with the fluid or the drink mixes with the mucus and ends up stuck in my throat.
I am going on holiday to Egypt for a week on the 26th June so I really need to get this cleared up before then! Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can alleviate the pain and get rid of all this mucus?
Pulsatile Tinnitus, TMJ Dysfunction And Echoing Of Noise In My Head
I would be interested if anyone else has this. I've had what I think is Pulsatile tinnitus for a year or so. I only hear it when it's very quiet, when I'm lying in bed or reading quietly. I believe it can be associated with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. In addition I get episodes for one to three days when any external speaking be it face to face, TV, radio echoes round in my head and is amplified. I suspect the sinuses are involved too.
The GP isn't that interested but he did prescribe a nasal irrigation which can help along with inhalation of peppermint oil in hot water, that really gets up the passages! I can't seem to work out what causes the attacks of the echoing, tho twice it's happened when the weather has been v windy or cold.
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I have one blocked tube ( my right one ) which my doctor thinks is due to having a ruptured appendix. I have been to fertility clinic today and the doc has put me on the waiting list for a lap to remove the right blocked tube. I am not sure how this will help? I have never fallen pregnant and I have been trying for 3 years ? Why would removing the blocked tube help? I cannot receive IVF as my partner already has a child with his ex, so apparently that means i'm not entitled. I really need some answers i'm really pulling my hair out and I am so frustrated.
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My 2.5 year old kid has recently developed excess watering in his left eye. Its been about 3 weeks now since he has it. The whole of his eye gets filled up with water, in about 5 minutes after he wipes out. I have not seen the water roll down the cheek though.
My doctor gave me ciprofloxacin eye drops, but has not helped. The main problem was, being a kid, he never allows me or my wife to touch his eye. We have to apply those drops only when he was asleep.
I am planning to take him to an eye specialist this weekend. Any suggestions are welcome.
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I am doing masturbation since 15 year,i am 28 now,sometimes i could make 4 times in about 3 hours.
Lastly,i have noticed softening of my erection,with no much pleasure neither during masturbation or even at time of ejaculation.
something is wrong,i am so worried.
I am noticing dilated veins on the penis,maybe the blood is shifting to these dilated veins,so it is taking from the blood that goes to the corpori?!!
maybe there's another explanation.
My erection is weak,and i think it is due to excessive masturbation i did last period. Any treatment for this?
if i will apply ice on the dilated veins daily for example,would it help yo get these veins not dilated again?
i know that this may sound funny,but i really want to resume what i lost.
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If you exercise daily/weekly and eat right as well would you lose the excess weight gain from using the shot?
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I've been on prozac 40mg 5 weeks and my mood is getting so much improved. But I am having mood swings, and I worry about everything. I feel guilt out of nowhere. I'm in college and I even feel guilty for going to see my partner 15 minutes away because of fear of my parents being upset. Because they gave me impression that they would like me to see my partner over the weekend and not on the weekdays. I am almost paranoia. I have this feeling of anxiety and guilt. Is this a side effect? Will this go away? It was not this way before.
View 1 RepliesVenlafaxine Withdrawal - Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Excess Sleepiness, Confusion, Mental Oblivions
I've been on venlafaxine for about 2 years, taking a dose of 150 mg per day. I used to take the generic pills which are cheaper. To be honest I didn't even know there was an 'original' one, named Effexor, until last friday.
When I changed town I continued the treatment with another doctor, and he suggested i came off the drug. I thought I'd try, and for the first month I reduced from 150mg to 75mg. Nothing wrong there. Then I took another step and reduced from 75 to 37,5mg and in the fourth day I collapsed.
I had this breakdown, feeling all kind of weird symptoms: dizziness, dry mouth, excess sleepiness, confusion, mental oblivions (memory lapses), total apathy, total loss of libido.
I got really scared and tried to go back on my own since I was off town and couldn't talk to the doctor.
I took for 3 days the 150 mg pills but that didn't help. I consulted another doctor and he suggested to take a 107,5 mg dose (75+37,5) for 20 days and then restore the original 150 mg dose afterwards.
It's been 6 days since I started taking this dose and I still feel awful! I feel like I'm not the same anymore!!! It's the strangest thing ever. I had to ask for a job-absent license cause I can't work in these conditions.
One other thing is that a moved from the generic pills to the Effexor (from Pfizer - Wyeth) - the doc suggested that - and I don't know if that is making things worse...
I feel really awkward, useless, like my brain is in slow motion. I've been thinking about going' cold turkey since taking back venlafaxine did not help.
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