Ears are main post Covid complaint

Posted by dloos @dloos, Sep 12, 2023

Anybody else with ears being your main post Covid complaint?

I’m sixteen plus months of feeling underwater with ear pressure. My symptoms started after I thought I was fully recovered from a moderate case of Covid. Six weeks after Covid infection we went to Hawaii. The plane flight seemed to trigger these ear issues.

It started just as the ear pressure thing, but over these last many months it has cascaded into, tinnitus, hyperacusis, dizziness, blurry vision, and just as a bonus I get intermittent swollen nasal passages. It’s as if my whole head is closing up on me. Not surprisingly I’m now pretty anxious because I’m not stable, and the ear pressure and other symptoms continue to worsen.

I see reference to ear issues now and then, but with most people it seems to be their lesser issue. Believe me I count my blessings that I have had very little pain, but my symptoms have me going nuts.
I’d love to hear from any others out there who might be similar to me.
I’ve been to a couple dozen different doctors, and really no one has a clue. I have seen multiple ENTs, Neurologist, Endocrinologist, Audiologist, Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, Naturopath, Acupuncturist, Chiropractors, Vascular Specialist, and of course my PCP. Trust me, I am not an hypochondriac, though it does look like I might be. Until this, many times a few years would go by without my seeing a doctor.
I now know I sure took my good health for granted.
So, if you’re out there, I ‘d like to hear how you’re coping, and if you have found any answers.
Thanks.

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dire95
I’m so sorry. I know how bad it is without headaches, so I can only imagine what you are experiencing.
Doctors don’t have the answer, so they push you on to someone else. I have “silent migraines “ and have tried migraine medications. Have any been prescribed for you?
Those drugs didn’t help me, but might be worth a try if you haven’t already.
Good luck.

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@chaneldelarosa

Also more blurriness (eyes). I thought it was only me.

I don’t know how to live with this - it’s overwhelming.

They are going to do hearing tests next week - don’t know how this will help though

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Probably recommended the hearing tests because sometimes they can help the tinnitus. Audiologists specialize in that

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I am not sure if you are still active, but I have been feeling the same exact way since I had a mild/moderate case of COVID at the end of April 2023. I have seen 3 ENT's, had a CT scan and Brain MRI. I did a hearing test and found out I have high frequency hearing loss and tinnitus, My ear rings constanly. They told me there is no fluid and it is probably TMJ. Saw the TMJ doc and she said it is not TMJ. My dentist had already told me that is not what it was and that she felt the same way for a year like she was living underwater and she saw multiple ent's and they kep giving her steriods that never worked and that she didnt have any fluid either and it just went away one day. I was hopeful it would for me too, but here I am same as it ever was.
Have you made any progress or learned anything since your last posts?

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@freese

I am not sure if you are still active, but I have been feeling the same exact way since I had a mild/moderate case of COVID at the end of April 2023. I have seen 3 ENT's, had a CT scan and Brain MRI. I did a hearing test and found out I have high frequency hearing loss and tinnitus, My ear rings constanly. They told me there is no fluid and it is probably TMJ. Saw the TMJ doc and she said it is not TMJ. My dentist had already told me that is not what it was and that she felt the same way for a year like she was living underwater and she saw multiple ent's and they kep giving her steriods that never worked and that she didnt have any fluid either and it just went away one day. I was hopeful it would for me too, but here I am same as it ever was.
Have you made any progress or learned anything since your last posts?

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I am trying Lenire. I just started so I don’t really know if it will help.
I hoped for a long time it would just go away. After all this time I’m doubtful. If you’ve read all my posts you know my experience is like yours. It’s a very frustrating and difficult condition.
I’ll let everyone know how it goes with Lenire. The treatment is for three months and I just started yesterday.

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@koliver

I can definitely relate to your comment! Mine was triggered Sept. 2022 after a 2 week trip into high altitude. I could have sworn I brought back some dreaded disease since my head hasn't been the same since. It's been one issue after the other. It's been like chasing rabbits, being referred from one doctor to the next, having various medical tests/scans, etc. I even ended up in ER with chest pains at which time they did a complete cardiac evaluation. So far, all of my tests have shown no major problems. Pulmonary test showed "minimal" pulmonary disease. At times, I've thought I was loosing my mind, never having had health issues before. THANKFULLY, I found relief using a low dose nicotine patch (3.5 which is half of a 7 mg patch), as well as supplementing with 50 mg of sublingual glutathione and increasing my Vitamin C intake. I was desperate, so I took the chance using this protocol. Strange as it sounds, within 30 minutes of applying the first patch, my head/ears actually opened up clearer than they had been in months! I have continued this for over a month, and have seen 75-80% improvement in my LC symptoms (off balance, head/ear pressure (like helium being pumped into my head), anxiety, brain fog, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, joint paint) I have sought out the natural remedies, also adding daily Ashwaganda. I also use CBD oil daily. I've had good luck with Xlear Rescue nasal spray with essential oils for sinus congestion. Mullein leaf tincture also helps the lungs and congestion. I joined 2 social media groups on FB 1) Renegade Research #TheNicotineTest. 2) Long Haul Reset: Long Covid & Spike Injury Treatment. There is an overload of information in these groups that is overwhelming at times, but much of the information has been helpful to me. While being evaluated at a local Rehab facility, I was encouraged to seek out a doctor treating long C. Although I am much better, I plan to follow through with a scheduled appointment the end of this month. I know there are many smart doctors trying to get this nasty stuff figured out, and if by treating me can help others, that's a win!

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I am having similar issues since COVID September ‘24. Mild case then following month ear pressure took flight for vacation and ears became worse. Pressure fullness then the tinnitus started and gets worse when pressure increases. Now having to deal with hearing heartbeat all night. Have had two MRI visit at TMJ clinic, dentist for mouth splint X-rays - all shows normal. Cannot get relief with Advil Tylenol and resently started steroids - stopping that tomorrow. Can stand the increase in heart pounding. Will definitely check out the nicotin patch. Thank you for your post and hope everyone on this thread can get some relief.

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@dloos

I am trying Lenire. I just started so I don’t really know if it will help.
I hoped for a long time it would just go away. After all this time I’m doubtful. If you’ve read all my posts you know my experience is like yours. It’s a very frustrating and difficult condition.
I’ll let everyone know how it goes with Lenire. The treatment is for three months and I just started yesterday.

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Don’t know if you are still on this thread but would like to know how the Lenire worked for you. Have similar issues and been through multiple docs and tests.

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@kspoon

Don’t know if you are still on this thread but would like to know how the Lenire worked for you. Have similar issues and been through multiple docs and tests.

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I have not really given Lenire a good try. I had a few glitches with the unit, and then I felt my tinnitus was getting worse. I had been warned it might get worse before it got better! That is hard for me, because it is already so bad.
Anyway, I plan to set the unit at a quieter setting and try again.
I will post when I have more of a definite opinion.

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@dloos

I have not really given Lenire a good try. I had a few glitches with the unit, and then I felt my tinnitus was getting worse. I had been warned it might get worse before it got better! That is hard for me, because it is already so bad.
Anyway, I plan to set the unit at a quieter setting and try again.
I will post when I have more of a definite opinion.

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Thank you. Good to know. Are you still
Having fullness/pressure in your ears? Have you found anything that gives you comfort? I’ve gone back to just Tylenol all day and just bearing with the pressure but if you’ve found comfort can you let me know if anything has worked for you? Wishing you good health!

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kspoon
I’m sorry to say I have not found anything that gives relief. It is an endurance test everyday of pressure in my head, tinnitus and hyperacusis. In addition my eyes are blurry and burn. My doctor prescribes Klonopin for me which I use on especially bad days. It just puts me to sleep, but it is a break.
After three years I am very discouraged. My life is forever changed. I still seek answers, but I am very weary.
Good luck to you as well.

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I feel like all of Long Covid is about old injuries, traumas, weaknesses. I have been dealing with many LC symptoms for a little over a year now. Almost every time i read someone's question/complaint i have to double check to make sure i didn't write it.

I had an old infection/injury to my left ear and am plagued with pulsatile tinnitus, chronic fluid behind that ear since my covid infection. Also, which i believe is a neurological symptom, extra sensitive to sound (hyperacuis). Sadly, nothing helps.

I do feel that everything has gotten better (fatigue, ear symptoms, POTs like symptoms, palpitations, BP disregulation with severe HTN, gi issues, brain fog) with use of: Nattokinease, increased dose of Vit D3 + K2, Pine extract for immune support, probiotics, digestive enzymes, Tri Magnesium, Zinc with occasional use of Vit c supplement, Sleep, Tapping/EFT, meditation, a senolytique Fisitin, a beta blocker and a calcium channel blocker, Amlodipine. Phew.

So grateful to be a part of this group because initially i was given a psych consult for my bp 200's/70 and my fatigue (I woke up suddenly like this, unable to even walk across the room without SOB and heartrate in 150's). I was previously a runner. now i can walk. Sometimes, i can "joggle" a few minutes.

Wishing you all the best on this Healing journey.

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