Ear Drum Rupture and Hearng Loss

Posted by chzuck @chzuck, Aug 24, 2023

Below are notes I kept on this issue.
4/23: Noticed increase in drainage down back of throat. Next day had some episodes of vertigo when bending over.
4/25: Awakened around 3am with ear ache. Around 11am ear drum ruptured
Saw Dr. ....... on the 26th and was put on azithromycin. Left side jaw pain and apparent swelling as I had difficulty closing my jaw as jaw seemed pushed front that my upper and lower jaw would hit. I had to eat slowly. That lasted about 2 days.
Saw Dr. ..... on 5/9 because ear was still draining, still had congestion, still had some discomfort eating because of a sore jaw muscle, and drainage down my throat which was requiring constant clearing of my throat. Prescribed clindamycin 150 MG. Several days later ear stopped draining.
On 5/20 started noticing dizziness when bending over and some unstableness walking at times. Have some problems focusing when dizziness happens. Still notice some discomfort with left side jaw.

Still feels like there is a lot of congestion. Ears feel shut. I can “pop” them sometimes and hear better for a little while, then they are shut again.
A few days later I saw an ENT doctor. Put me on Azelastine, which has had no effect on post nasal drip. I find myself constantly clearing my throat. The ENT doctor inserted a tube in the ear drum which had ruptured and I did not get the hearing improvement that I got years ago when a tube was inserted. Yesterday I had a follow up visit. My hearing test was practically the same, no real improvement. So, he says, that is all I can do for you! I will see you in 6 months for a checkup. Really!
I have a lot of questions that were never answered. Why the sore jaw muscle with my initial ear ache. I still notice some discomfort when eating. Why no X-rays or MRI? Hopefully there will be some on here with similar issues. It is time to really educate myself before I see another ENT. I am not planning on returning to him.

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@seekinginfo | @nrd1 | Aug 24, 2023

@chzuck

You can request a CT scan of the sinuses.

Jaw pain is because of that area shares the same nerve path way as It’s very common to have jaw pain with sinus and Eustachian tube inflammation.

The inflammatory process would need to be addressed it

Most likely sinusitis that has never been addressed. That is the drainage down the throat and that drainage from the posterior sinus area will run right over the eustscian tube.

But go to a specialist complaining of one area and they will treat only that one part as they are a narrow minded group. Takes a skilled ENT to put all of the pieces together.

At the least, rule out chronic sinusitis.

chzuck | @chzuck | Aug 24, 2023

In reply to @nrd1 "@chzuck You can request a CT scan of the sinuses. Jaw pain is because of that..." + (show)

My chart says Recurrent Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, and I have had ear and sinus issues since birth. I had many ear aches as a child and a couple as an adult, but none ever like this past one. My next step will be to demand a CT scan or MRI. Thanks for the reply.