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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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dloos | @dloos | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @simoneak "I too am suffering with ear issues since having covid, blocked with pressure ringing and pulsing..." + (show)
@simoneak

I too am suffering with ear issues since having covid, blocked with pressure ringing and pulsing in the ears. Taken antibiotics orally & ear drops for weeks now, it’s driving me crazy with the pressure and ringing GP said I need to see a ENT . Yesterday it was so bad I took myself to Emergency at the hospital finally saw 2 ENT’s after theirs examations they both said ears are slightly inflamed most likely caused by the covid virus and to take anti inflammatories and to go see a audiologist about the ringing and hearing loss in the ears. So that’s my next step however from what I’ve been reading on the post covid threads it’s pretty much normal to not get answers from gps and specialists. Is it learn to live with this? Who knows. My next step is audiologist testing .

Jump to this post

Ok, I see you mention your GP.
I do wear hearing aids now, but not much help.
The pressure and clogged feeling never goes away.

REPLY
1 reply
dloos | @dloos | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @koliver "Yes, I cut the 7 mg patch in half. That has worked for me. As you..." + (show)
@koliver

Yes, I cut the 7 mg patch in half. That has worked for me. As you will see if you join the Nicotine Patch group, there are many opinions/recommendations. Nicotine can have different affects on different people, so I decided to see what worked best for me. I took the low & slow approach since I am extremely sensitive to any kind of prescribed drug or OTC meds. I remove the patch about 2 hours before bed because I think it affects my sleep. I just reapply in the morning. It's been aggravating that I can't enjoy my occasional wine or cocktail as in the past because of that "drunk" feeling you mention. I can totally relate. For the most part, I have pushed on with my daily life. I work part time and have a 40 minute commute to work one way. Fortunately, this mess hasn't affected my driving. I have also been able to continue barre, balletone & yoga classes weekly, even though I've had to modify if I'm having a bad day. I do miss not being able to do much cardio, which I have done for most of my adult life. Since I've had success with the patch, I plan on trying to slowly work cardio back in hopefully. I really hope the patch helps you. Be patient and give it some time to work. Although I felt the immediate relief, it took a week or two to really see improvements in some of the other symptoms. All I know is that C is pure evil. It's like something overtakes your body & mind that you have no control over. God has answered many prayers I've said in the middle of the night when I've woke up worrying about what's happening to me. I wish you success. Please update.

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Hello again.
Well, going to the full 7mg dose didn’t go so well for me. As I said earlier I felt a little dizzier, and tinnitus amped up, but I figured I’d hang with it awhile. Finally removed the patch after about four hours.
That’s when the vomiting commenced! Oh my. I figure I’ll take a day off and go back to 1/2 dose.

REPLY
1 reply
simoneak | @simoneak | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @dloos "Ok, I see you mention your GP. I do wear hearing aids now, but not much..." + (show)
@dloos

Ok, I see you mention your GP.
I do wear hearing aids now, but not much help.
The pressure and clogged feeling never goes away.

Jump to this post

I am going to see audiologists & hearing test tomorrow I don’t currently wear hearing aids and hope it doesn’t come to that.

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1 reply
dloos | @dloos | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @simoneak "I am going to see audiologists & hearing test tomorrow I don’t currently wear hearing aids..." + (show)
@simoneak

I am going to see audiologists & hearing test tomorrow I don’t currently wear hearing aids and hope it doesn’t come to that.

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It seems that’s all they know to do at this point. Use a conventional treatment for something entirely different. I get it, and I do believe everyone tries to help, but they don’t have the right tools.
Let us know how it goes.
Good luck.

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simoneak | @simoneak | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @dloos "Depending on how much time has passed they might prescribe a steroid to see if that..." + (show)
@dloos

Depending on how much time has passed they might prescribe a steroid to see if that helps. I’m curious who put you on ear drops and antibiotic. I imagine your primary care doctor.
You’re right, I have seen six ENT doctors. I’ve had two CT scans, and they don’t find anything wrong with my ears!
It’s very frustrating. Some people do get over it. I’m sixteen months in and as you said, just trying to live with it.....no choice.
I’m constantly researching and hoping for an answer.

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My GP put me on the antibiotics & ear drops. ENt said there’s no infection just inflammation and said to see audiologist now. I think here in Australia medical Drs have no idea how to treat this. I’m scared of losing my hearing all together.

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1 reply
dloos | @dloos | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @simoneak "My GP put me on the antibiotics & ear drops. ENt said there’s no infection just..." + (show)
@simoneak

My GP put me on the antibiotics & ear drops. ENt said there’s no infection just inflammation and said to see audiologist now. I think here in Australia medical Drs have no idea how to treat this. I’m scared of losing my hearing all together.

Jump to this post

I have the same fear. For me it seems like more of a distortion of hearing than total loss, and I have a weird hypersensitivity to certain sounds which seems to contradict hearing loss. It’s frustrating and frightening to say the least!
Doctors don’t know how to treat it in the US either.

REPLY
1 reply
koliver | @koliver | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @dloos "Hello again. Well, going to the full 7mg dose didn’t go so well for me. As..." + (show)
@dloos

Hello again.
Well, going to the full 7mg dose didn’t go so well for me. As I said earlier I felt a little dizzier, and tinnitus amped up, but I figured I’d hang with it awhile. Finally removed the patch after about four hours.
That’s when the vomiting commenced! Oh my. I figure I’ll take a day off and go back to 1/2 dose.

Jump to this post

Yes! Definitely ease into it. I've never increased to the full patch. Easy does it for me. Baby steps. Hopefully you'll get some relief soon.

REPLY
2 replies
dloos | @dloos | Sep 14, 2023
In reply to @koliver "Yes! Definitely ease into it. I've never increased to the full patch. Easy does it for..." + (show)
@koliver

Yes! Definitely ease into it. I've never increased to the full patch. Easy does it for me. Baby steps. Hopefully you'll get some relief soon.

Jump to this post

Thanks. I’m not giving up, but today was a rough day.
It just illustrates how desperate I am for help. I am one to do things all the way. Sometimes it’s a problem. Lol
I will do as you say and take it slower.

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simoneak | @simoneak | Sep 16, 2023
In reply to @dloos "I have the same fear. For me it seems like more of a distortion of hearing..." + (show)
@dloos

I have the same fear. For me it seems like more of a distortion of hearing than total loss, and I have a weird hypersensitivity to certain sounds which seems to contradict hearing loss. It’s frustrating and frightening to say the least!
Doctors don’t know how to treat it in the US either.

Jump to this post

I’ve been doing some research into Tinnitus ringing in the ears like I have really bad also with the blocked pressure feeling of the ear.
On YouTube came across a ENT Ben Thompson on You Tube that has some interesting info on Tinnitus. There’s also info from other Drs about how it can be treated and medications that can cause Tinnitus . Very interesting worth watching.

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gmj | @gmj | Sep 18, 2023

Had the second case of covid in 10/22. I had problem with my right ear like you get when you have water in it. Went to a ENT and I was told that the right side sinus was blocked and needed a Ballon Angioplasty. My nose bleed for three days while draining. Needed 8 Bounty towels to keep up with bleeding. what a mess. Blood everywhere. I also have Tinnitus. But had it so long I just live with it.

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