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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
ALLERGIES/EAR FLUID/ANXIETY
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
ALLERGIES/EAR FLUID/ANXIETY
by tw27, Jul 20, 2005 12:00AM
HI, A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND...I'M 28 YR. OLD FEMALE. I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS DUE TO MY GRANDMOTHER'S DEATH FROM OVARIAN CANCER. SLIGHT HYPOCONDRIAC TOO (HUGE FEAR OF CANCER). I TEND TO RUSH OFF TO EVERY DOCTOR, FEAR THE WORST (CANCER) AND DWELL. JUST STARTED TAKING ALLEGRA-D LAST WEDNESDAY ALONG WITH NASONEX. I WENT TO MY GP ABOUT A WEEK & HALF AGO SINCE I WAS HAVING SLIGHT EARACHE (GONE NOW) & A FEELING OF THE FLOOR MOVING OR BOUNCING WITH ME WHEN I WOULD WALK (THIS FEELING STARTED A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO AFTER FLYING TO CANCUN). SHE SAID THAT I HAD FLUID IN MY EAR TO TAKE ALLEGRA-D, NASONEX AND TRY TO POP MY EARS AT LEAST 3 X A DAY. WELL THE FEELING ISN'T NEAR AS BAD AS IT WAS A WEEK AGO OR EVEN A FEW DAYS AGO BUT ITS STILL THERE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT I WAKE UP IN THE MORNINGS, START MY TYPICAL MORNINGS AND I FEEL GREAT-NORMAL. THEN I WILL THINK ABOUT MY EAR & THE BOUNCING FEELING AND THE FEELING STARTS TO RETURN. KINDA LIKE IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THE SYMPTOMS START APPEARING BUT IF I KEEP MY MIND BUSY, I FEEL GREAT. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I DRINK A FEW GLASSES OF WINE, THE BOUNCY FEELING IS GONE TOO. GOOD OR BAD I HAVE ALSO TRIED PUTTING RUBBING ALCOHOL IN MY EAR AND LETTING IT DRAIN OUT. I HAVE NO FEVER, NO HEARING LOSS OR HEARING PROBLEMS THAT I CAN TELL,NO RINGING IN MY EARS, NO SORE THROAT, NO EYE PROBLEMS, NO HEADACHES, NO WEIGHT LOSS, NO SPINNING SENSATION, OCCASSIONAL NAUSEA (TUMS HELPS THAT). MY NOSE DOESN'T FEEL STUFY ANYMORE BUT STILL HAVE A LITTLE DRAINAGE DOWN THE BACK OF MY THROAT. JUST FEELS LIKE I AM ON A AIRPLANE OR BOAT, MOTION WISE. MY QUESTIONS ARE:
1. CAN IT TAKE THIS LONG FOR AN AVERAGE 28 YR. OLD TO GET FLUID TO DRAIN OR DRY UP? JUST STARTING TO FEEL PANICED SINCE I STILL HAVE THIS FEELING AND I CAN'T GET INTO SEE MY ENT DR. FOR A MONTH.
2. CAN THIS ALSO BE A ANXIETY SYMPTOM? (TRYING NOT TO TAKE XANAX, HAVEN'T TAKEN IT IN A LITTLE OVER 3 WEEKS)
3. IS IT CONSIDERED A GOOD SIGN THAT WHEN I WAKE UP, I DONT HAVE THAT BOUNCING FEELING AND THAT ITS NOT A CONSTANT FEELING (COMES AND GOES) AND THAT ITS NOT AS BAD AS IT WAS A WEEK OR EVEN A FEW DAYS AGO? I DO REMEMBER NOT HAVING THIS FEELING FOR A WEEK BACK IN MID-JUNE THEN ITS LIKE IT JUST REAPPEARED. IF IT WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, WOULDN'T THE FEELING ALWAYS BE WITH ME (EX. LIKE WHEN WAKING UP)?
4. I KNOW THAT I DO OVERREACT, FREAK OUT AND DWELL ON MY ALIMENTS SO WITH THAT SAID... IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL OPINION, SHOULD I BE CONCERNED (CANCER)? I KNOW THAT YOU CAN'T DIAGNOSE VIA INTERNET BUT DOES THIS SOUND LIKE ANYTHING EXTREMELY SERIOUS TO YOU? SORRY SO LENGTHY AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
1. CAN IT TAKE THIS LONG FOR AN AVERAGE 28 YR. OLD TO GET FLUID TO DRAIN OR DRY UP? JUST STARTING TO FEEL PANICED SINCE I STILL HAVE THIS FEELING AND I CAN'T GET INTO SEE MY ENT DR. FOR A MONTH.
2. CAN THIS ALSO BE A ANXIETY SYMPTOM? (TRYING NOT TO TAKE XANAX, HAVEN'T TAKEN IT IN A LITTLE OVER 3 WEEKS)
3. IS IT CONSIDERED A GOOD SIGN THAT WHEN I WAKE UP, I DONT HAVE THAT BOUNCING FEELING AND THAT ITS NOT A CONSTANT FEELING (COMES AND GOES) AND THAT ITS NOT AS BAD AS IT WAS A WEEK OR EVEN A FEW DAYS AGO? I DO REMEMBER NOT HAVING THIS FEELING FOR A WEEK BACK IN MID-JUNE THEN ITS LIKE IT JUST REAPPEARED. IF IT WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, WOULDN'T THE FEELING ALWAYS BE WITH ME (EX. LIKE WHEN WAKING UP)?
4. I KNOW THAT I DO OVERREACT, FREAK OUT AND DWELL ON MY ALIMENTS SO WITH THAT SAID... IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL OPINION, SHOULD I BE CONCERNED (CANCER)? I KNOW THAT YOU CAN'T DIAGNOSE VIA INTERNET BUT DOES THIS SOUND LIKE ANYTHING EXTREMELY SERIOUS TO YOU? SORRY SO LENGTHY AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jul 21, 2005 12:00AM
, Jul 21, 2005 12:00AM
To answer your questions:
1) The time it takes for fluid to drain will depend on the cause. If there is an untreated infection, then the resolution can be longer. The treatment time also varies from patient to patient.
2) It is possible that anxiety can worsen the symptoms. However, I am not aware of anxiety leading to fluid behind the ears.
3) It is a good sign that the symptoms are gradually resolving.
4) If the symptoms don't improve, you can consider some sinus imaging scans (either plain films or a sinus CT). Any signs of infection should be treated with antibiotics. You can discuss this option with your ENT physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com
1) The time it takes for fluid to drain will depend on the cause. If there is an untreated infection, then the resolution can be longer. The treatment time also varies from patient to patient.
2) It is possible that anxiety can worsen the symptoms. However, I am not aware of anxiety leading to fluid behind the ears.
3) It is a good sign that the symptoms are gradually resolving.
4) If the symptoms don't improve, you can consider some sinus imaging scans (either plain films or a sinus CT). Any signs of infection should be treated with antibiotics. You can discuss this option with your ENT physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com
I read your concern about earache, anxiety attacks, and dizziness. I've had the same symptoms for the past 10 days. It started while I was driving, became very dizzy and had my first panick attack. I didn't know what was wrong and went to ER. I also followed up with my doctor. None of the doctors know what is wrong. They suggest either stress OR perhaps air caught in my ear OR another allergy related illness. Since then I've had several panic attacks, been dizzy and am scared to drive or go to the grocery store. It is severely affecting my life. Did you ever get a diagnosis? Are you feeling OK now? I would love to hear from you.
Bob