Eustachian tube dysfunction, Have you sufferers found any cures to get relief.

Hey Guys just wanted to know if you have ETD and if you found any things to relieve the symptoms. Here are the symptoms that I have. Ear Fullness, a feeling like something is stuck in my ear (fluid), every time I swallow, yawn, chew, talk, turn my head, or jump or run my ears snap, crackle, and pop. When I hear a loud noise (Ex. When I clap my hands really loud) my right ear makes a different popping like sloshing sound.  And whenever I'm done chewing or talking, or just whenever, I feel pain and tenseness just below my ear and right in the back of my jaw where it opens and where my wisdom teeth are. I've searched and haven't found anything really to relieve this, but put tubes in your ears (not happening) and get an incision in your eardrum to release the fluid, which I don't want to do either. The only quick and effective looking remedy is the Earadicator (not saying it works, haven't tried it yet) remedy which involves a neti pot and 4 way nasal spray. It looks like it would work and I think I'm going to try it because I can't take these symptoms anymore. Anyone else with these symptoms? Have you found relief?

[bsmsl]

Hello,

The pain in you jaw and below your ear sound more like TMJ.  You might want to have that checked out.  There are only three things I believe a chiropractor can help with - TMJ and sciatic nerve issues (depending on the cause of course).  Some chiros say they can help ETD as well, but mine didn't, but you might want to look into that as well.

Have you seen an ENT?  Mine put me on Afrin twice a day for no more than three days at t time followed by a sinus rinse.  It did help some.  You cold also try steroids, but those have there own risks if you are on them regularly which I am with my asthma.  

I did have one tube put in and it made a huge difference for me.  About 50% of tubes in adults are successful the other 50% are removed, so you are smart to be cautious.  My ETD was causing so much pain and waking me up at night, and with the other issues I was dealing with, I couldn't take any more.  Doing one ear was a compromise my dr came up with.  I chose the ear that was bothering me the most.  I was ready to have the second ear done within a few days it had helped so much.  My dr is very conservative in treatment and didn't want to risk me losing any hearing.  My follow-up hearing test was perfect.  :D  


Take care and I hope you find a treatment that works for you.

[meniere135]

I'm not sure what is causing your ETD, but mine was relieved by getting off of certain foods.....milk products and gluten (from wheat, barley, rye and oats).  I haven't had a problem since then and that was 10 years ago.  The milk was giving me the plugged up feeling and after 5 days staying away from all milk products (and I mean all) my eustachian tubes opened up on both sides at the same time and I felt trickling down my tubes!!!!!!  The gluten seemed to be the cause of the snap, crackle, poppiness in my ears!  LOL.  Hope this helps or at least gives you something to try to alleviate your problem.  Good luck!

[mrhotsauce_heavymetal_head570]

Thanks so much for replying. To bsmsl - Great that your ears are better.  Yea It does sound like Tmj. Tmj is usually injury related though, but the only injury I had to my face was getting bit by my mams dog in my upper lip which was pretty bad and I did not get it checked, just let it heal on it's own. I don't think that would cause tmj, only nerve damage and I did go to a neurologist which he did some tests and said I was fine. I'm seeing an ENT in a few days to check my ears and e-tubes to see what's going on.

To meniere135 - Good to hear that your snap, crackle, and pop is gone. I have heard that, and might look into that if this keeps getting worse. I do eat a lot of dairy products so that could be the cause. Thank you for replying.

[bsmsl]

TMJ can have many causes - genetic joint problems as I have, miss aligned teeth (needed braces and didn't get them or did not wear retainer and the slipped back...), chewing certain types of foods like hard candies, ice cubes, chewy food like bagles, gum...  

I would suggest that you at least ask your ENT about it.  If your jaw pops or makes any noise, it is very likely that you  have TMJ.

Good luck with your apointment.

[mrhotsauce_heavymetal_head570]

Okay I will ask him about it. Every time I open my mouth really wide and close it a few times I hear a click just below my right ear. I'm not sure If it's my ear popping or my jaw. I'm thinking if I get rid of ETD then the clicking and tenseness in my jaw would also go away along with my ears. But I'll have him listen to it because you can hear it.

[bsmsl]

Keep us posted.  It really sounds like you possible have both.  I am not a betting person, but I would certainly consider placing a bet on you having TMJ.

Praying you find answers.