Clogged ear feeling after Myringotomy tubes surgery PLEASE HELP

[sheais]

Three days ago I had myringotomy surgery to put tubes in both of my ears. The reason for this was not because of any problems other than when I fly. My ENT assured me that it was a very simple proceedure with no recovery time. She said it was as easy as "getting your ears pierced."

Well, since that proceedure, my left ear has been fine. However the right ear feels extraordinarily clogged, as if there's cotton plugged inside of it or as if it needs to pop. I can hear my voice echo in my head and chewing is awful sounding. Even brusing my hair echos like crazy.

This started immediately after the surgery and I told the doctor about it (I even asked her if my ear was stuffed with cotton) and she told me that I was probably just hearing sounds better because of the tube and that "I'd get used to it." No way you can get used to this. I even waited in the waiting room to see if it would subside, and when it didn't, I asked a nurse who asked a different doctor who said that he guessed it was just the numbing drops and it should wear off within an hour.

Three days later, the problem is still there. There is some pain, but that's not the biggest issue...it's the clogged feeling and sound distortion. It's so annoying. And the doctors won't even talk to me...I keep getting passed to nurses who don't know anything.

Finally, I went yesterday to my GP and he said that I had a hematoma on my right ear. He was afraid to do anything because he didn't know what was going on behind the tube, maybe a clot?

And to make all of this worse, I got this proceedure done ONLY because I needed to fly in 7 days. I was assured that it would be no problem and make flying completely pain-free. Now I don't even know if I can go on my trip because I don't know if that tube is clogged or what. And no one will even SEE me at the place where I got the proceedure done (supposedly one of the best in the country). They didn't even schedule me for a follow-up appointment.

To say that I'm irritated and uncomfortable is putting it mildly. If anyone has ANY information or similar stories on this, please please please respond. I would be totally okay if I knew this was normal, but I can't find a description of this anywhere and I don't know what else to do.

PLEASE HELP!

Many thanks in advance.

Amber

[Stacyindls]

I am experiencing the same thing.  I’m so miserable.  I’m hoping someone found some relief.  I go back to ENT tomorrow to review my MRI.  Sometimes at night it seems to get better but could be my imagination.  Any advice is greatly appreciated.  I’m a 4 yr triple negative breast cancer survivor, 46 and mentally struggling to go through another crazy medical problem.

[susie197702]

Still experiencing the hearing lost after tubes in for 10 months,Dr. does not see anything wrong with tubes and said that he has not heard of anyone having the problems that I am having!go figure ha trying to get a second opinion, been 9 months now and will get the tubes removed next month,hope I will be doing the right thing by removing them and hope my hearing return's

[Fluidfilled]

I don't have an answer but I do know what she is going through November 2016 I had the bone removed fm behind my left ear and an artificial wall placed between my ear and brain to prevent any new infection from spreading to my brain which is why the bone was removed I had an infection for several months maybe even years that went untreated because every doctor I went to said that there was nothing wrong like as if they knew had I was feeling at times I thought they thought I was a pill popper finally I had so much pain that they did an emergency CT and found a mass on the back of the left side of my head and the bone had been affected as well and the infection was going to my brain. After 9 days in the hospital antibiotics IV and the surgery and the painful hell I went through and still going through nothing has changed I actually feel worse my left side feels like it is going to explode I can hear my heartbeat in my ear and it is driving me crazy. I cannot live the rest of my life like this I am not that old but I feel like it because this crap has worn me out physically and mentally there is something wrong I know it but it seems like no one wants to listen to me when I see the surgeo once a week he says that it is heeling nicely well it doesn't feel like it this is my body I know how I feel and I feel like hell. The life has been sucked out of me and it is not right. I need help. These doctors would only only understand if they felt this bit I would not wish this on anyone. Good luck to you.

[Tammylynn123]

It's been a month since I have had the tube placed in my ear.  I still feel clogged, and can not really hear anything . Ct Scan showed nothing. The dr. acts like I am just crazy.  I am not crazy.  I was having ear infections and he said he could put a tube in my ear and that would help me.  Now I am worse then I ever been.  All I want to do now is stay to my self .  This feeling is a feeling I wish on no one.

[fentonchristine]

I was told by my ent that this is not normal. It happened to me about a week ago (insertion Feb 9th). I'm getting my ear tubes removed 1 week post insertion. I hope this resolves my problems. Any updates from you?

[susie197702]

I really have lost my trust in ENT's. they make you think that these tubes insertion is no big deal,but It is!  I know there is not much information on this problems that adults are having with  tubes. My ENT said he has never heard of the problems I am having with the tubes and he has no answers for me,leaving it up to me rather to take tubes out or wait until they fall out! I ask him if my hearing would come back the way it was befor the tubes,you guessed it,he said "I DON"T KNOW"

[sherrywarner328]

amber ,
             i just realized you wrote this back in 2009... if your available can you please texted me cause im having problems exactly how you described. thankyou
765-631-7947

[Shelby8765]

I am having these same problems as well! I am freaking out!!!!!!! All I want is to go back to normal even though my normal was not good, it is better than this!! I got tubes for ETD and right now I am 4 days PO and I am regretting this badly! Does this get better??????

[susie197702]

Mine has not gotten better,has been 1 month now.

[susie197702]

regretting it badly also.

[susie197702]

Me again,now 9 months,still not good,will try and get them taken out in June,

[Lydia_jane]

I'm having the same problem. My ENT doctor said It will heal. I was told my ear drums are swollen. I just had the surgery done today. You probably have swollen ear drums. Give it some time.

[susie197702]

clogged still after one month!

[Izzy369]

I dont have tubes. I used to about 4 years ago. My ear is killing me too! I feel like my whole ear is clogged up and my voice echoes!! This has been happening for 3 days now what do I do?

[twosonskk]

I had my tube put in today(12-14-15) I have the clog feeling and echo when I talk. Is there any help for this?

[susie197702]

I had my tubes put back in Aug, still a problem for me ,I also hear my voice inside my head,

[Jess_Marie_85]

I had a really bad sinus infection for about two weeks with lots of nasal congestion, and sinus pressure. I went to the doc and they gave me a steroid shot, along with a Z pack.. A week later I started to get sporadic stabbing pain in my ear(very painful) that would subside within a few seconds. My sinus pressure was better at this point but not 100%, so I started taking Mucinex D, and, Afrin Sinus spray but my left ear started to feel clogged. I could hear an echo when I walked, talked, ate, it drove me crazy so I started every  home remedy I could find. Nasal flushes, peroxide, warm towel, olive oil, Valsalva maneuver -nothing worked. I took Tylenol and went to bed, four hours later I woke up in excruciating pain and my ear felt completely closed off. I went to the Urgent care in the middle of the night and was told that I had a really bad ear infection and was sent home with Amoxicillin 1000mg every 8 hours for 10 days and RX Ibuprofen 600mg. I took this for five days and felt no relief, if anything if felt worse. The pain wasnt so bad but the clogging was driving me insane. I scheduled an appt with an ENT who again stated that my infection was bad, the pressure of the fluid was starting to change the shape of my eardrum which could result in hearing loss if not corrected soon. He did a series of scopes, hearing test, and decided to give me a steroid shot, prescribed Bactrim 800/160 mg twice daily for 14 days, and Ciprofloxacin Otic 0.2% drops twice daily. He performed a Myringotomy without tubes and this literally had me in tears, between the needle Anesthesia, and the vacuuming suction noise, it was horrible. I usually tolerant pain relatively well but this was painful for me. And to top it off I got NO relief. I couldnt believe that I subjected myself to this procedure and got nothing except a blow hole in my ear. Now if I try the Valsalva maneuver it comes right out the incision. At this point I guess I have to wait it out and hope this regiment works out, maybe 3rd times a charm. I will keep you posted.

[Jess_Marie_85]

Update: As it relates to this episode it took a month for the fullness feeling to subside. Two and a half years later I still get the sensation of fullness every couple of months and only in the ear that was previously affected.. Taking Claritin-D usually subsides the symptoms within 24 hours.

[Elco1240]

I am 63 and I am 6 days post op . I am experiencing the same identical symptoms. Had a ruptered eardrum 2 wks. Ago and could not get congestion to clear up. I fly weekly and have been off work for over 2 wks. And was desperate to get back. My ENT suggested the tubes which I jumped at before doing my research. (Big mistake) . I always have a little ear problems while flying even when I am well and I thought this would solve the problem. Now I am regretting doing this as I have the stopped up feeling and major hearing loss in one ear and partly in the other. I have had ear problems all my life when congested. My old school pediatrician when I was young always had me use the hydrogen peroxide regimen with a ruptured eardrum to keep eustacian tubes clear. I thought about doing this for the last week and it only makes sense . Mentioned it to the doctor and he said no. I tried it about an hour ago and it seems to be unclogged. Only did one side to see if I would end up with a "train wreck". I will follow with other side if all is ok. I was just wondering how yours ended up. Please respond. Thank you Elco1240

[susie197702]

Elco1249 did the peroxide burn the open ear drum?I would be scare to put that in there I have ear tubes  going on 10 months,I have also lost more hearing since they have been put in,

[mimi25254]

Maybe too late for some of you, but I might have a solution for you!!!  

I am 62 years old and had a bad case of the zombie flu that lasted weeks. After a month of steroid nasal sprays, steroid packs and steroid injections, my ears were still clogged, so I opted to have tubes put in with the promise of immediate relief.  No so in my case.  2 days after the procedure, I had such pressure inside my head that I couldn't sleep for hearing my heartbeat so loudly.  I couldn't hear hardly at all out of 1 ear, and only slightly out of the other.  The ENT said my ears looked perfect.  Beautiful.  Nothing wrong with my ears.  I went home feeling like I was crazy and resumed the Mucinex and Dymista nasal spray with some relief  after a couple days, but still couldn't hear well.

I went back to the doc for my 2-week post-op and had another hearing test.  My left eardrum wasn't moving at all and I still had moderate hearing loss.  The doc was baffled, as he could see right through my tube and said there was absolutely no crust blocking the tube and no fluid behind the eardrum.  So this is what he did.....

First he gave me a methylprednisone injection to boost my healing.  He told me to go back on the Dymista steroid nasal spray and to put 4 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide in my ear twice a day for 2 weeks.  He said  it was possible that I had a crusty plug built up inside the Eustacion tube that he couldn't see and that the hydrogen peroxide might dissolve it.

Boy was he right!!!!  After the 2nd HP treatment, I finally felt it drain down into my jaw/gland (kinda didn't feel so great, but not bad) and by the next day my ear was unclogged!  I used the drops for a few days after that and stopped.  Haven't had a problem since.  I love that my doc didn't give up trying to figure it out, as I was almost convinced I must have had a tumor.  

  

[susie197702]

This is an old post  I know,but where is this Dr.that did not give up on your problem?

[susie197702]

Funny my ENT said he could not test the ear drum to see if it would move because the ear drum would not move because of the tubes!

[babyjneng]

Hi i had done myringotomy last night and the doctor removed the tube after an hour. it makes me think that the fluid wasnt a lot on the time he did the procedure.

This morning when i wake up, i feel my left ear is not hearing as normal as it used to. I thought i will get my hearing back to normal asap. Im still on meds antibiotics and eardrops.

Im feeling a bit of disappointed and regretting of doing this just be. I wanna get rid of the fluid right away. I went to other ENT and was told to wait for it drain naturally. :(

[Janey72]

Yep, same here.  I had this done without tubes to drain some fluid behind my left eardrum, and now it feels really clogged and I am having a tough time hearing from that ear.  I am almost two weeks post op.  If I had known this would happen, I would not have done it!!!!  I am very worried!!

[ansvn]

Even im facing the same problem,is there anyone whose problem got solved,if yes please help me with the procedure.

[ansvn]

even i'm facing the same problem...did ur problem got solved....if yes,please help me with the procedure.

[cagrlasu]

anyone have any updates?  This seems to be pretty common after a myringotmy but no one has updated whether they are better or not.

I am going through this right now.  2 days post op but my ear was clogged on Sat night 3 days before surgery.  My reason for surgery was a turbinate reduction but the doc said he would go ahead and drain my ear as well.  It still feels the same without the added fluid in there.

I have had this happen to me twice.  When I was about 20 I had a myringotmy done and I remember being plugged for at least a week post incision.  The second time was in 2010 and my ear just clogged and stayed that way for about 5 weeks.  Our next step was a myringotmy but we never got there.  My ear finally went back to normal.

After reading these posts and my own experience I  have a feeling this happens and it just takes time for the plugging feeling to go away.

If anyone that previously posted has updates I would love to see them.

[negroni0318]

hi...did you heal your problem?...i have the same problem 1 day ago after the procedure...thanks

[ORANGEMELLY]

I had a myringotomy procedure done 2 days ago after 46 years of chronic ear infections.  I also have enlarged adenoids.  My left is fine but my right ear feels really terrible.  Pain like what you get when you have a bad middle ear infection, even my mastoid bone is throbbing, also feels as though my ear is full of water????.  I may also be running a tempreture...time to go back to the hospital me thinks....has anyone had a similair experience??

[pritt401]

I am 11 days post tube insertion for ETD following a bad sinus infection almost a year ago, went to my ENT for my post op visit....I feel worse then prior to surgery.  Clogged and pressure he looked in my ears did a hearing and ear pressure test....everything is "normal'...well maybe on paper but I feel like crap......he said maybe they are still healing and gave me a Medrol dose pack...............very upsetting... (I m 49 yo)

[jewelsca]

I am having the same thing.  So, I used my flonase and that helped. but it keeps clogging going to the doctors today.  I am glad I am not alone. Sounds like the norm.  UGGG!  

[bonnie202]

same here awful! Had clogged feeling before tubes now tubes out still there. All noise echo's in my head mostly the sound of my own voice! Loud music, voices are a killler yet still clogged.
Seeing yet another specialist next week,
Anyone get answers or find relief?

[shaynicole554]

I AM GETTING BETTER!!!

I have had the SAME symptoms! For over 6 months! It all started with an ear infection, led to pressure in my head and mild loss of hearing in both ears. I did the Myringotomy surgery in both ears. That did help with the pressure, but my ears never actually got better. I have had a full feeling in my ears ever since, and always feeling the need to "pop" my ears. I put pressure on my tragus and pull in my ears in attempt for some relief. I did all the tests, everything came back NORMAL, CT Scans normal. Ive seen 4 different doctors hoping someone would tell me what was wrong. It felt hopeless, like I was going to have to suffer like this for the rest of my life, every day!

I was recommended to try "Sweet Oil" (Olive Oil). I have been putting it in my ears now for the past month. MY EARS ARE GETTING BETTER!!! There are days where I dont even notice the symptoms! Some days are better than others, but over all, my ears are becoming more and more normal!!! I sleep with one side full of Sweet Oil every night! (Every other night do the other side)

I feel like I have tried everything! This is actually working! I just wanted to share this, because I know how horrible it can be to live with these symptoms every day, and have every doctor make you feel crazy, like your making it all up.  

Be blessed, I hope this helps! <3



"And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them." (Mark 6:13)

"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:14)

[susie197702]

Did you get your ear tubes removed? and did you put the sweet oil after that?

[susie197702]

Did you get the ear tubes removed after you started with the sweet oil or before?

[GeeCeeGC]

Hi!!  Help me, too please!!!  I had a tube put in my left ear one year ago and though for the most part everything is fine, every now and then it feels like the tube is "loose" and a hear echos inside my head, I feel evry sensitive to sound and can almost feel the rumbles and vibrations of the noise as well (which is a real ***** while you're driving!) and if I press that small flap thing into my ear it SQUEAKS!!  It squeaks and others can hear it!!  WTF!!  PLease had this happened to anybody else?!?!?  

[susie197702]

Maybe it's time to take them out! did you? I see this is a post post.

[breathlessrrt]

Did this go away, I am on day two and my ear feels clogged. Not as bad as yesterday but still there. WHat happened with you? Is this feeling normal. I thought I would be able to hear asap.

[spade741]

wow, i got my pe tubes in also and a couple days later my left ear started getting clogged. I thought it would go away and it did but came back the next day or so. I went to the clinic to see if i had an infection or something and he told me i was fine that i didnt need any drops or anything. i didnt know what to say and hoped it get better so i left. now im just real frustrated that my left ear feels clogged and that i cant hear out if it clearly. this *****... can you give me a follow up on your story please i would appreciate it....p.s. I know it a old post sorry but i nead help...

[tjtham]

I am going through the same exact thing. It has been one week so far and right ear still feels "clogged". I am just wondering how this turned out for you.... please respond!

[Tammylynn123]

I just had a CT Scan yesterday and the Dr's . Nurse called and said it was Normal... He told me to go see a Jaw Dr.  Really? A Jaw DR..  He does not want to try and help me figure this out. I was told he was a good Dr.  What is going on here.  How can he just pawn me off like this.  

[shaynicole554]

I AM GETTING BETTER!!!

I have had the SAME symptoms! For over 6 months! It all started with an ear infection, led to pressure in my head and mild loss of hearing in both ears. I did the Myringotomy surgery in both ears. That did help with the pressure, but my ears never actually got better. I have had a full feeling in my ears ever since, and always feeling the need to "pop" my ears. I put pressure on my tragus and pull in my ears in attempt for some relief. I did all the tests, everything came back NORMAL, CT Scans normal. Ive seen 4 different doctors hoping someone would tell me what was wrong. It felt hopeless, like I was going to have to suffer like this for the rest of my life, every day!

I was recommended to try "Sweet Oil" (Olive Oil). I have been putting it in my ears now for the past month. MY EARS ARE GETTING BETTER!!! There are days where I dont even notice the symptoms! Some days are better than others, but over all, my ears are becoming more and more normal!!! I sleep with one side full of Sweet Oil every night! (Every other night do the other side)

I feel like I have tried everything! This is actually working! I just wanted to share this, because I know how horrible it can be to live with these symptoms every day, and have every doctor make you feel crazy, like your making it all up.  

Be blessed, I hope this helps! <3



"And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them." (Mark 6:13)

"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:14)

[susie197702]

Didn't the oil get into the ear drum?and it didn't hurt when that happen?

[susie197702]

Sweet oil? did it get inside the ear drum? the ENT told me not to put anything in my ears,only if there was a infection in the ear.

[theresa2323]

i feel like that all the time but i dont have tubes in my ear....i talked to docter's about it and they said that it is because i have water in my ear  and bad sinus but it go's away and comes back so i would give it a like 5 week's because that is what mine stays for and dont let any water get in your ears because they will feel alot more clogged if you do and if it wont go away i would try a law suit next....god luck to you and i hope you feel batter.........or you get a nice payday coming in...

[Tammylynn123]

I am going through the same thing