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Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: tube is plugged
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) | Last Active: Aug 15 10:56am | Replies (59)Comment receiving replies
After 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.
Replies to "After a bad virus I developed otitis media with effusion the first week of May. The..."
Jennifer, 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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@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.