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Tube in ear

Posted by Soledad02 @soledad02, Feb 15 3:10pm

I’m a Mayo patient and my ENT recently put a tube in my left ear due to Eustachian tube dysfunction. I forgot to ask my Dr if I can plug my nose and blow out. Asking anyone that has tubes or has had tubes previously that might know. It feels like my tube might be blocked. I hear something in that ear and believe it’s fluid. Ugh! I have not noticed any drainage since my tube was inserted.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Feb 15 5:42pm

@soledad02
I too have had tubes in my ears as an adult for Eustachina tube dysfunction. Early on I was cautioned not to do the Valsalva maneuver which is what you describe. The ENT mentioned it could be dislodged.
Instead he recommended guaifenesin (plain Mucinex w no other meds added) to thin the mucus so it can come out of your ear. I have used it for over 40 years now because all of my mucus is very "sticky" without it.

Maybe you can ask your doc about trying it?

REPLY
1 reply
Soledad02 | @soledad02 | 6 days ago
In reply to @sueinmn "@soledad02 I too have had tubes in my ears as an adult for Eustachina tube dysfunction...." + (show)
@sueinmn

@soledad02
I too have had tubes in my ears as an adult for Eustachina tube dysfunction. Early on I was cautioned not to do the Valsalva maneuver which is what you describe. The ENT mentioned it could be dislodged.
Instead he recommended guaifenesin (plain Mucinex w no other meds added) to thin the mucus so it can come out of your ear. I have used it for over 40 years now because all of my mucus is very "sticky" without it.

Maybe you can ask your doc about trying it?

Jump to this post

Thank you for your prompt reply Sue. I do a nasal rinse nightly followed by Flonase as I have sinusitis. I did read yesterday that in lieu of spraying my Flonase straight up into my nostrils to insert/spray at an angle. I did this approach last night and that seemed to help as not hearing the fluid this morning. Appreciate your advice and will check with my doc should the fluid sound returns. Thanks for the tip re: Valsalva maneuver.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 6 days ago
In reply to @soledad02 "Thank you for your prompt reply Sue. I do a nasal rinse nightly followed by Flonase..." + (show)
@soledad02

Thank you for your prompt reply Sue. I do a nasal rinse nightly followed by Flonase as I have sinusitis. I did read yesterday that in lieu of spraying my Flonase straight up into my nostrils to insert/spray at an angle. I did this approach last night and that seemed to help as not hearing the fluid this morning. Appreciate your advice and will check with my doc should the fluid sound returns. Thanks for the tip re: Valsalva maneuver.

Jump to this post

Does your doctor know about the nightly nasal rinse? Both my (now retired) old ENT and the current one advised against daily rinses except during an exacerbation like a cold or infection.

According to them, constant introduction of the fluid seems to prolong sinusitis symptoms and doesn't give your body a chance to do its job on its own.

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