Stay Positive

nh_user_1133248 · December 23, 2017, 3:59am

Hi There! I've been living with undiagnosed ETD on and off for about two years now. Through a lot of research online - I've pretty well diagnosed it myself. I've seen doctors many times complaining about this condition, and after taking meds, which makes me feel like crap, the condition only returns.

I know its probably allergy related, because I do have animals in my house. And I'm an animal lover.

6 months ago my right ear went on me. Plugged up, and didn't return to normal. Then the tinnitus started in my right ear. What a joy that is! To hear it literally starting up like an engine and not stopping for many many hours. It's actually quite remarkable and frustrating at the same time. Sleeping with a fan on helped a lot. That ear never did unplugged on its own. I found using nasal sprays just made it worst, and plugging my nose method to open the tubes made it worst at times as well.

My left ear was fine. It took over what my right ear couldn't do. It was manageable......and I was taking good care of my ears because of this.....but......

A month ago I caught a bad sinus infection. My left ear is now plugged up too. I got rid of the sinus infection, leaving me with 2 plugged up ears now.

I figured I was only on borrowed time with this issue.

I started pulling at strings.....taking cold and sinus meds, and doing nasal sprays again. Allergy meds......all made me feel groggy and not myself. Hey.....your talking to a guy who does not like taking any form of meds. So - yeah - it s bad.

Reading online, I've tried many natural techniques. Most of them causing a lot of cracking noises in my ears, but not actually clearing them up.

Oh....did I tell you....I have an anxiety issue as well......ugh.

And this - just drives it through the roof!!! It's frustrating. Not being able to hear music properly. Not being able to have a conversation without it being muffled, and asking the person to repeat him or herself. Being in crowds, drives me crazy! And I work in a brand new building - sealed up to be energy efficient - the building pressure on my ears drives me mad on a daily basis, where I have to go outside just to relief the pressure in my head. And lets not talk about the weather changes too......I find sleeping on one side makes it bad, and I'm not a big fan on sleeping with my head propped up. Being off balanced......takes a bit of getting use too.

People who don't have this condition will not understand what you are going through. You definitely take hearing for granted, and cherish it!

It's been over a month now, I'm hoping one day it will just pop and I'll at least have one ear to hear out of properly again......that is all I ask for. Two would be like winning the lottery!

This week I went to see my doctor again. And again.....he says to take NyQuil to clear it up. So over the next couple of weeks, I plan on going heavy on the NyQuil - hoping to get my hearing back to a somewhat normal state. Has anyone here tried Vicks NyQuil to clear up your ETD?

It's funny how we know our bodies more then the doctors. I didn't have the guts to ask him for a referral to a specialist. But I think its just more than taking Nyquil to clear this up. My doctor seems to just brush me off.

Over the last couple of days, I've been going over this forum, and it has helped me a lot to understand that I am not the only one going through this issue. Sometimes you feel alone, thinking "I'm the only one dealing with this." It really has helped me a lot reading all your stories here.

I tend to look at this in a different way. Though I really do have my moments thinking this is the way its going to be for the rest of my life...the world being muffled...and not sleeping worrying about it. And with the high anxiety and everything that goes along with it..... But I think to myself....it could be a lot worst. I could be completely deaf. Which I pray does not happen. I look at other peoples situations as well....who have it a lot worst then myself. So many horror stories in the news about people dealing with eye issues, and such. So I can somewhat deal with my little hearing issue right now - for now

So basically what I'm saying to you wonderful people.....stay positive. And keep smiling. I know it is tough to live with this. And its frustrating. I hear you (no pun intended). STAY POSITIVE! smile

Oh.....do forget about my NyQuil question......and any other suggestions that you can give, would be much appreciated. Thank You!

anon87974465 · December 23, 2017, 4:18am

I know the feeling well I have been living with it for a good few years and finally seen a ENT Specialist who fitted grommets and my live has been hell. They have made my condition worse! I feel like my life is on hold no Christmas parties etc my ears cannot handle the noise. I work in a open plan office which totally exhaust me as my ears are constantly full and painful. I am also totally fed up with asking people to repeat themselves. No one knows how bad it gets unless you have the condition. I just wish one day I would wake up feeling fine no tinnitus and no more feeling like I am walking about as if I just got off a plane where my ears are constantly full.

anon87974465 · December 23, 2017, 6:31am

Hi Brian - I was in the middle of typing a very long response to you while I’m lying in bed on my phone but the page refreshed and everything deleted. Here’s the gist;

- your doc isn’t taking you seriously and the fact he told you to take NyQuil for an issue that you’ve had for years is complete bs.

- I empathize with EVERYTHING you wrote.

- I highly suggest you try a chiropractor. I went to one today and in the first time in 6-7 years, I’ve had relief. He adjusted my 1-2 vertebrae in my neck. Almost instantaneously I had relief. It’s not completely fixed but I’m optimistic he will be able to resolve or at least treat it. You don’t need a referral in the US to see a chiropractor or ENT.

- if you can’t see a chiropractor today then I highly suggest getting a neck massage or put heat on it and try stretching it out side to side.

Don’t give up hope. I almost dis. There’s many of us out there that feel your exact pain.

nh_user_923645 · December 23, 2017, 7:40am

Good morning Brian,

Wondering if you've come across any of my posts and replies.

I feel loathe to keep repeating myself, as to what has helped me

since last April. One woman on the Forum called

Megan (I think in the US) insinuated I was a distributor of the

Flixonase Nasule Drops, because that's all I write about....what

a ridiculous statement !!

I've only come up against two people that haven't been particularly

nice on this Forum. One saying she doesn't like to keep reading

of people's anxiety and depression because of Eustachian Tube

Dysfunction, only wants to read of facts. Not at all sympathetic,

who needs people like these !!

Let me know if you can't see my posts.

Anne

nh_user_915221 · December 23, 2017, 1:27pm

Having read all these (far too long winded)comments).Take a look at what I've written over the last year.YOU'VE GOT IT---LIVE WITH IT.THERE A'INT NO CURE.The medics um & ah ,try this,try that,I've seen the best (supposedly)both NHS & privately & the upshot is that they just don't know,but won't say so.

nh_user_923645 · December 23, 2017, 4:24pm

Hi Michael, While I agree with your comment regarding the doctors not really knowing

how to treat it. I've worked it out for myself now, after all these years.

Don't lose your patience with people on the Forum for being too long winded, some of these

are desperate for help.

Pity they don't live in England to enable them to use the medication that's proven good for

me, which I now only have to use aprox. every 6 days. Will wait and see what my ENT

consultant feels in February.

Anne

anon87974465 · December 23, 2017, 4:33pm

I highly disagree with you. Not everyone is alike. There are treatments for some that might not work for you that will work for others. This is a place where others can share their experiences. Your pessimism and negativity are not helpful. You haven’t tried everything there is to try. Personally, Chiropractic methods helped me. For 6-7 years, I never gave up.

anon87974465 · December 23, 2017, 4:37pm

Anne - I can’t find your post about what medication has helped you. What is the name? I live in the US but might be desperate enough at some point to find a way to get it. For me, yesterday after visiting a chiropractor was the first time I had had any relief in 6 almost 7 years.

nh_user_923645 · December 23, 2017, 5:18pm

Hello Ashley,

I have a nephew who's a pharmacist in the US. When I ask him if the Flixonase Steroid Nasule Drops

are available out there he told me no, only the Flixonase steroid Spray. That is no longer any good for

me, doesn't work. I was on it too long and obviously now immune.

I'm so happy, that I now only use the Flixonase Nasules when my ers block, that's approx every 6 days. I use the drops once and I'm good for another 6 days. Strange what makes them re-block.

I'd love to think a chiropractor could help me. I must say from time to time I do suffer neck pain, so maybe could affect ear....who knows !!

You've suffered many years like I have, but for me to have days and days of relief is so good. We do take our health for granted.

Kind wishes and hope you manage to get some relief from ETD over the Christmas period. This year will be the first in donkey's years being able to smell and taste my Christmas Dinner.

Anne