Continuing sinus/ear issues...

[WorriedOne84]

I've had some nagging ear/sinus issues for several months now.  First time I went to the doctor in May and was prescribed antibiotics and Nasonex.  I was told I had a ton of fluid behind my ears which my doctor thought was due to my sinuses.  After 2 weeks and still having some ear troubles I went back.  My doctor then gave me ear drops.

About 3 weeks ago I went back as I was having some jaw achiness, random ear pain (only lasting for a couple seconds), and continuing problems with congestion.  I did have an ear infection in my right ear so I was prescribed antibiotics and Lodrane.  Still, 2 weeks later it hadn't went away.  When I went back my doctor said I had some swelling in my sinuses and told me to take Nasonex for a month.  Well, that month is almost up and I still don't feel like things are where they should be.

I still am congested, have some slight ear achiness on and off, some pain in my face (usually behind my right eye and on the sides of my face next to my ear/jaw area.  If I yawn a couple times I get even more congested and feel some sinus pressure.  Why won't this go away?  Should I go back to my GP or just consult an ENT?

[WorriedOne84]

They never bothered to call me back.  So, after not feeling well the past couple days I did decide to call them today.  Well, they had never bothered to call to get me an appointment with an ENT.  Then, after the did do so today, it turns out to be a month wait to get an appointment.  Since my insurance doesn't require a referral I decide to call another ENT in the area and it turns out I can get an appointment there in a week.  I decided that I really do need to go as I've had sinus headaches for the last 2 days.  The side of my face hurts when I yawn, smile, and sometimes just swallowing causes pain.  There is something going on and it would be stupid of me to not get it checked out.  I'm just arriving at the decision about going to the ENT as I finally realized that, no matter how much I don't want to deal with this, I have to.  It's not going away and I shouldn't have to live with this.  Thanks for asking and for the advice and support you have offered me.  Hopefully this gets resolved soon.  Have a great day!  Take care!

[vblanc]

So did you call the doctor?  I hope so and I hope your doing better.

[WorriedOne84]

Once again, thanks for responding.  Nope, I didn't receive a call today either.  I'm debating whether to call them tomorrow or not.  As long as things don't get worse, I can live with it like this -- though I'd rather it go away.  Yeah, every time I've went there has been a valid reason behind it.  I wish there was some way I could feel more confident and sure of myself when at the doctor.  Maybe they would have more respect for me.  Then again, like I said, there is a good chance that I'm just being over-sensitive about everything.  Given that I have Social Anxiety Disorder I'm always super paranoid about what people think of me, if they are judging me, and so on.  You are right, no one knows my body like I do.  I really should be listening to it right now as something is going on.  I don't think it's normal for a person's ears to pop every time they swallow.  My plan -- not saying I won't chicken out -- is to call the doctor's office tomorrow and be sure they set up an appointment with an ENT for me.  Even if the ENT finds nothing, at least I won't have to think about this anymore.  Thank you so much for your help.  Hopefully I will follow through with my plans but I don't know.  This is all stressful for me though it shouldn't be.  Have a good day!

[vblanc]

Hello again sorry so long in the reply.  I hope you got your call today and I hope you go to the ENT.  I do think that it will help you.  You do have a bit of anixety about doctors, but it will get better.  You need to remember that everytime you have went they have found something wrong I take my kids in alot and peopl think I am crazy but everytime we go they have a ear infection or something.  Noone knows your body like you do.  Listen to what its telling you and the ways you are feeling.  I am sure they do think you are important but someone got side tracked so you do need to return a call.  And it someone did drop the ball it dosent mean that you chould step up and say hey, you didnt call back.  They could be having issuses with a employee.  Good Luck!!  

[WorriedOne84]

I always feel like I'm bothering them with petty complaints.  Even when I was having gallbladder attacks -- one so bad I seriously thought I was going to die -- I still put off going to the doctor because it stressed me out.  Really, I don't think they are listening to me now.  Really, I need to find a new doctor because the one I go to now is a walk-in place that doesn't take appointments.  Therefore, they are always extremely busy and the time there is really rushed.  Not that I probably won't get the same where ever I go.  Honestly, I don't trust my aches and pains to be completely legit even though I know they are.  Is it normal for your ears to make a popping noise just from swallowing?  Is it normal to have pain in the side of my face -- ear/jaw area when smiling and yawning (sometimes just even swallowing).  My right ear just slight aches at random times.  Most of the time -- if not all -- I feel like I'm congested.  My neck will ache a bit when laying down with my head turned.  Today, chewing is cause pain in my sinuses.  I'm currently on antibiotics (Augmentin).These symptoms are not extreme but enough to really annoy, worry, and make me think about it a ton. The doctor's office was supposed to call me Thursday after they scheduled an appointment with the ENT for me.  Well, heard nothing from them Thursday or Friday and I'm not going to call.  They obviously don't think it's important.  You know what, I also feel like my friends and family don't even believe me as I've had several medical issues I've complained about over the past year (gallbladder, acid reflux, and now this).

[vblanc]

Its normal to worry and think people are looking at you funny.  Remember they have to be there either way they are not making a special trip for you.  Therefor they have no reason to not listen.  Sometimes we tend to think that because we are not getting the answers we wont that they are not listening.  We as patients HAVE to believe that as a physcian they are doing what ever is in out best interest.  My 5 year old was in all the time for the same thing went to a ENT had tubes and anoids removed and hasent had one since.  (ear infection).  Sometimes as you get older your body changes.  A ear infection and hurt the whole side of your face upto and including your neck, head, eyes ect.  Remember so many nevers includidng sinuses run through that part of you body and connect.  You know your body and yes at times people can be a bit over reactive but you have had physcial symptoms that not only you see but so does doc.  They cant and wont just send you to a ENT and waste there time for no reason.  Just go and see what they say I am sure it will be a good surprise.  Good Luck and God Bless!!

[WorriedOne84]

Hey, thanks for responding.  I'm just scared -- scared that nothing is wrong and also afraid that there is something seriously wrong with me.  Honestly, for some reason, I get the feeling that the doctor and nurse practitioner I've seen regarding this don't believe me.  Again, I could just be paranoid as I'm embarrassed at going to the doctor so many times. Two times I went they could see the fluid, another time I had an ear infection, another time a sinus infection.  How did I go for so many years -- 25 to be exact -- and never have this kind of problems and then end up having to deal with all of this.  It's honestly stressing me out.  If I really smile, it makes the right side of my face at my jaw area in front of my ear hurt, yawning also does this.  Maybe it's my jaw and not my ear but then again, I have had fluid behind my ears.  This is so ridiculous.  I'm being really dumb about this as I don't want to go to the ENT.  At the same time, I'm tired of thinking about this all the time and worrying.

[vblanc]

You are not a pathetic person.  Go to the ent! Iam have ocd and anixety and with that I am always thinking iam dying or that my kids are dying.  So iam always at the doc.  But you have physcial symptoms.  These things are not in your head.  Yes there are many symptons that can be pyscological, but you are having physcial symptoms that you feel and with fluid behind the ear the doc cam see.  You may need tubes or your adnoids removed to drain fluid.  Just try.  Good luck!

[WorriedOne84]

Meant to say I don't think I'm going to go to the ENT.  What's the point?  They want find anything and I'll just feel crazier than I feel currently.  I get so frustrated with myself.  Anxiety ***** and even though I'm on Lexapro and in counseling I don't think it's ever going to help me.  I feel like the most pathetic person ever.

[WorriedOne84]

The steroids didn't resolve the issue.  I'm being referred to an ENT but I don't think I'm going to do.  I get the feeling that they think I'm a hypochondriac.  I could just be paranoid as I have social anxiety disorder and I'm always worried about people judging me.  This is causing me a lot of anxiety.  I don't trust my judgment even though I know the aches and pains are real.  Who knows, maybe this is all in my head.  I'm very frustrated but what can I do.  I really don't think they believe me.

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

I think this is something that can be resolved, but I do think you need to see an ENT.  This has been going on for a while now, without much relief from the treatments.  Follow up with the ENT as soon as you can (there often can be a wait for an appointment, so I would call as soon as possible to set one up).  Good luck.

Bridget

[WorriedOne84]

Apparently, I have fluid build up behind my ears.  My sinuses also continue to bother me.  Today, I was really frustrated because even swallowing would sometimes cause my right ear to ache.  I finally went back to the doctor earlier this evening and she prescribed a Medrol Dosepak and a different kind of nasal spray (Astelin).  If this doesn't clear things up in 2 weeks she is going to refer me to an ENT.  What could be causing this to happen?  I'm feeling frustrated and worried that this is never going to get resolved.

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

Hi and thanks for using the forum.

Well, it sounds like you do have something going on, since each time you have gone to the doctor, he/she has found something.  So, don't worry that it is in you head- you have real symptoms and a real issue.  Next, using your insurance does not mean that you can be dropped from the insurance coverage- so don't worry about that either.  

I think you should consult an ENT.  It sounds like you could have a chronic sinusitis.  An ENT can check this out for you and prescribe appropriately.  You should not have to just learn to live with this, so try the ENT and see if he/she can help.  Good luck.

Bridget

[WorriedOne84]

Sorry, just wanted to add a bit more info.  Well, today it has been bothering me more than ususal.  I have some aching around the temple area and behind my eyes.  Every time I yawn it seems to make things worse.  When I swallow, my left ear pops a bit.

I guess I'm scared to go back to the doctor over this.  The main reason being I'm paranoid that, as much as I've used my insurance over the past year, they insurance company will just cancel my policy.  I don't even know if they can just do that but it still worries me.  I've had my gallbladder removed (gallstone), upper endoscopy (acid reflux).  After all of that I've been going to counseling (every 2 weeks) and a pyschiatrist (once a month) for the past couple months because of anxiety.  Prior to all of this I hadn't been to a doctor of any kind for 6 years.  

Another reason is because I'm afraid that nothing is wrong and it's all in my head.  I guess I worry that something serious, not sure what that would be exactly, is happening and my ignoring it will lead to something bad happening.  It more of a nagging thing that ends up making me thing about it most of the time, nothing too bothersome.  

Is it even necessary to go back to the doctor, or is this something I should just learn to deal with?

[WorriedOne84]

Also, sometimes just swallowing will cause my ears to ache for a second.