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Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: tube is plugged
I am a 65 year old women with Dysfunction of my tube in my left ear. I have no idea why this happen. I tried everything to get this ear unplugged. I always used plugs to wash my hair and shower. I did not have a cold or any other health problem when this happened. This happen on December 25, 2019 and I cannot get to a Doctor because of this Virus. My right ear had 3 tubes and finally I had a balloon inserted into the ear about 2 years ago and now that balloon had collapsed on the same date as the left ear. I had no problems with the left ear in the past. Can anybody tell me if they had this problem? What can I do since I cannot get in to see a Doctor. I cannot get a Doctor even to talk to me because I was told that a Doctor has to look in my ear.
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So sorry you are experiencing all this. Ugh, no fun. I agree with the other responder that if it is SNHL, you need to be seen ASAP by an ENT who can do all things possible to hopefully get some of your hearing restored.
You are doing the right thing being proactive and advocating for yourself. Keep it up!!
It's a couple of days later now, and I may have mis-stated my hearing loss based on a self experiment I did today. I took one earbud (used with my iphone) and put it in the bad ear (right) only. I could hear at a slightly lower level as the (good)left ear, but the audio was garbled, almost as if the pitch was higher than normal. But it was intelligible enough that could understand what was being said and identify the song being played. Never experienced a sound like this. Right ear is maybe 6 dB down from left. Since I am still in a recovery phase from my ear infection and on the meds described in my original post, I am wondering if changing ear sounds may be all part of the healing process and not necessarily an "emergency".
@gliebisch01, you may also be interested in this related discussion:
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: tube is plugged: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ear-dysfunction/
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1 ReactionI’m not a doctor but I have ETD and after every ear infection I get fluid in my ear which results in a temporary hearing loss. Most people’s will clear after taking antibiotics or steroids but not mine. I’ve had to get tubes in my ears to get the fluid out. Once the tubes were in my hearing was back to normal. However I would consult a doctor if your concerned about waiting or a sensorineural hearing loss as that should be looked at right away
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2 ReactionsAfter a bad virus I developed otitis media with effusion the first week of May. The fluid behind the ear drum cleared in about three weeks but 7 weeks later (from the start) I still have eustachian tube dysfunction. I can hear but hearing in right ear is slightly muffled. I was put on a high dose of prednisone early during treatment that sent me into a major depressive episode. Had bad shaking, tremoring and anxiety. The ENT, who I was not impressed with does not want to see me for 6 months now. I used Flonase and the trigger was constantly malfunctioning so picked up Nasonex. What a horrible mistake. Within three days of using it I had panic attacks several times a day with shortness of breath. I stopped the steroid sprays completely and am using just saline. I bought a Eustachi and have been using it, but I don't know if the right ear is popping or not. The motor suddenly gets loud after I swallow with the trigger on. But each time I swallow normally I still hear "liquid" like sound. Both ears feel slightly full but the right ear is the problem. I just started using pseudoephedrine, because from what I have read it is a superior antihistamine and there is some recommendation of its use for blocked ears. My anxiety over this is very elevated even with taking anti anxiety medication. And I am very depressed having frequent crying episodes. After 7 weeks I feel like this will never go away. Although the ENT told me it could take 2 to 3 months to resolve. Has anyone had a similar experience and have any positive feedback and advice. I do not want my anxiety to be even more increased.
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1 Reaction@need2create It might be the pseudoephedrine that is causing the anxiety. It is a decongestant, not an antihistamine and it may be raising your blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure due to anxiety, this could be raising it even more. Here is some information from Mayo.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/high-blood-pressure/faq-20058281
I have taken this in the past as Sudafed, and it did kind of cause an anxiety type feeling and raised my heart rate. I wasn't measuring my blood pressure back then, but it probably affected that too. Does it help to chew gum like people do on airplanes to unblock their ears?
From your name on here, it sounds like you might be a creative person. I am too, and that would probably help you feel better if you can distract yourself with something you are working on. Do you like going to museums or taking a walk in nature? Those are recommended by doctors to help with depression, and that does work for me.
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3 ReactionsJennifer, thank you for the reply. As you can tell from my post, my particular circumstances have played out in a drastic way. I was put on 60mg of prednisone for a week with a week taper. That is a very high dose. I had major side effects of severe depression, internal shaking which many get as a side effect and non stop anxiety. Also, the prednisone was being coupled with being put on Flonase, another steroid. Nasonex, which I tried after the prednisone course was over, was even worse than Flonase. I had panic attacks that required albuterol to breathe and lorazepam to calm down. The steroids I am totally done with. I cannot tolerate them. I know the pseudoephedrine is stimulating, but I started it just today at half the normal dose. It is known to be far superior to phenylephrine, and I am desperate to find something that will work to make the swelling in my eustachian tubes recede and dry out. I'm using saline spray several times a day, and use a device called The Eustachi which blows air into your nostril to pop the ear. I use it but am not sure just how effective it is. Perhaps by keep using it over time. If you go to the website askapatient.com and enter the drug Nasonex, you will see that approximately 80 percent of people post that they experienced panic attacks, anxiety, palpitations and changes in mood. I was just hoping someone has been through an experience with eustachian tube dysfunction and could give me hope and encouragement that yes...this will resolve finally even though it may take a long time. I have a fall back appointment set up with another ENT at the end of July, just in case I need to go again.
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1 ReactionHello . Could you put me on this thread. I have eustation tube problems.
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1 ReactionI guess you can opt to follow this thread. I am very new to this so I’m still learning.
Oh my goodness Valerie! My heart goes out to you. I experienced similar to you. (No stroke though). I see this is all a couple years ago so I hope you and your husband are much better.
My experience with six ENT doctors was very much the same. I suppose it’s frustration that they really having no treatment to offer. But, come on! That does not diminish our pain. The callous behavior makes me hesitant to even go in. One doctor told me he suspected the nerves in my ears had deteriorated and there was nothing to do but endure. I don’t believe that to be true because my hearing fluctuates all the time.
Anyway, I guess my point in replying is just to say you are not alone. I pray at some point there is a treatment for these hellish symptoms.
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