Eustasion Tube Will NOT unblock; What to do?

I am sorry you are going thru this. I wish you had seen an ENT at the beginning. Your hearing in that ear has probably been reduced to nothing discernible. I went to urgent care 5 days after the hearing loss and clogged ear. They said it was Eustachian tube dysfunction and gave me Claritin D and Afrin spray. After 5 days of that regime I saw my ENT. I wish I saw him sooner. I lost my hearing in the ear, months before, but it lasted a day. I thought this would happen again. NOT!!! Been 3 months now with no hope of getting the hearing back in that ear, even with going thru the protocol with the ENT of steroid injections (4 injections in 2 weeks), Prednisone (14 days), and Viral med (7days). I was also experiencing constant ringing and dizziness. The dizziness is gone but the incessant ringing is relentless. I hope you have a better outcome. I was told by my ENT that the damage caused can't be pinpointed, even with MRI and CT Scans. Plus, the sooner you start their protocol, the better the result.

@j6957d Hi: Just wondering what is the viral med you took? I am on the second antibiotic but if it's viral infection, this won't help so they say. I am happy to report that I am spitting out very thick mucus and this AM I was able to use the phone on my affected side. So there is some progress. I am also using a heated sinus mask while watching TV. Cannot see the ENT until later this month.

Will I get better or won't I?

Major congestion in head and ear. Taking all the otc meds to try to ease the thick mucus out. But, I have been on Enbrel for a long time for RA. I d/cd it about 4 weeks ago because of this congestion hoping my immune system would kick back in and control this virus. So far, I feel a tiny teensy bit better, thats all. How long before I can heal on my own, without Enbrel managing my immune system? Of course the pain from RA is coming back without Enbrel, but what else can I do? PCP says "wait."

@phxbarb, I merged your recent discussions into one so people can more easily follow your story. You mention that you have an infection. Have you seen a doctor about the infection to see if taking antibiotics might help?

Here are some related discussions that you might be interested in:
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: tube is plugged https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ear-dysfunction/
- Ongoing Eustachian Tube Dysfunction – Need Advice https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ongoing-eustachian-tube-dysfunction-need-advice/

@colleenyoung So now I cannot find my post at all. Thanks.
Yes I have been on 2 antibiotics.

@phxbarb Hello, I hate to make a large jump, but that clogged ear (Eustachian tubes) was one of my misunderstood symptoms of throat cancer. Question: Do you still have your tonsils? If so, and if you cannot not find relief with anything you're trying, go to your ENT and check your tonsils. I was forever trying to clear my tubes and it turned out to be tonsil cancer. FYI.

Please do not consider wait and see. That is not a treatment protocol. That is the first sign that you need to see an ENT. Hopefully, you will find a website that can review and recommend specialists. Word of mouth might help. Finding the top peer-rated doctors is the best. I wish you very well..

@harleytiger Nope. Got them out when I was 10. Sure enjoyed all that ice cream !

@phxbarb 4 days after losing my hearing I went to Urgent Care, they gave me Claritin D (use for 7 days) and Afrin nasal spray (use for 3 days). Day 5 of the Claritin I went to the ENT. So now we are looking at about 10 days after the hearing loss. He said at that time, it may be too late to recover even a bit of my hearing. The Prednisone for 14 days and Valacyclovir (viral med) for 7 days, and the 4 injections. I would go to the ER if you can't see your ENT, or call your ENT and tell them it is an emergency and if they can't help, see about a referral to another. The longer you wait, the less chance of regaining the hearing. I wish I had fought to see my ENT instead of going to Urgent care, I wasted a week!!!

Saw the ENT. Made a long trip down to Phx for a specialist who saw me for 5 minutes, said you have fluid behind your ear drum, nothing to do. Just wait. So all the time and trouble for nothing? He said he cannot do any tube in the ear because the hole might not heal. Yet, other on- line info says this can be done even in elderly people. He said come back in 2 months to see if the fluid has resolved. So, being miserable over the holidays is my fate.