IS IT EUSTACHIAN TUBE MALFUNCTION?

[laci]

I HAD A COLD BACK IN APRIL ALONG W/AN EAR INFECTION. I WAS GIVEN ANTIBIOTICS FOR 7 DAYS & IT HELPED. A WEEK LATER I HAD PAIN IN EAR AGAIN. WENT ON ANOTHER ANTIBIOTIC & IT HELPED. I WENT TO AN ENT & HE DID A SINSUS SCAN WHICH SHOWED A DEVIATED SEPTUM. I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY  EARS. EAR FULLNESS & EARACHE PAIN. AFTER 3 MONTHS I WAS GIVEN A STERIOD TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION. BEFORE THAT MY DOCTOR ID A MYRINGOTOMY W/OUT TUBES TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP. THAT DID NOT HELP. MADE MY HEARING FUNNY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD GET BETTER. DR USED A TUBE THROUGH MY NOSE & SAW A DEVIATED SEPTUM & MUCOUS IN EUSTHACIAN TUBE. HE SAID THIS IS YOUR PROBLEM. WHAT OTHER WAYS ARE THERE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM? AM I RUINING MY HEARING W/  THESE HOLES.? HOW LONG DO THEY TAKE TO HEAL?  THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

Without examining you, I cannot say what exactly is causing your symptoms.

Complications from myringotomy are rare. They include:
- excessive bleeding
- surgical wound infection
- permanent hearing loss
- cutting of outer ear
- formation of granular nodes (in ear) due to inflammation
- formation of cholesterol and mass skin cells in middle ear, which may damage surrounding bone
- need for repeat surgery
- scarring of eardrum

In this case, scarring of the eardrum can affect hearing.  

Complete healing without complications should occur within 4 weeks.

If your ENT physician is not addressing your concerns, I would suggest a second opinion.

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[DSJS]

Wow, this sounds exactly what has happened to me, except I started with strep throat about 7 weeks ago, within a few hours of the sore throat, I developed an earache which immediatly I lost hearing.  I was put on antibiotics for 10 days and the earache subsided but still no hearing.  Then I went to ENT doctor and was put on Prednisone for 3 weeks. 2 weeks ago he also did a Myringotomy without the tube. It did not help at all, but the day after I developed numbness on left side of my face along with even MORE hearing loss.  The numbness only lasted 2 days but I have had horrible headaches the past week. This week I am scheduled for nasal endoscopy and another myringotomy WITH a tube. I fear the numbness will happen again.  I also would like to know WHY the eustachian tube is not working?  And will it ever work again? I hate the thoughts of knowing I have to go much longer with this fullness in my ear and the loss of hearing.

Liacha, keep me informed on your outcome.  I know exactly how frustrated you are.  

Thanks!

[Demiguise]

After 10 yrs & 18 docs, I consider myself an `informed' patient.
There's good/bad news. Outcome depends on Dr. & your short hand-
written questions you want answers to.  Rt. ear blocked from a plane descent. 2 days of not popping I started my journey of MD
frustration. ETD-(eustachian tube dysfuntion)makes me scream. I
was dismissed, suggested therapy, low-estrogen, thrown out of Mayo Clinic, humored w/ drugs. MRI showed zip. Pain in ear/temple
stopped my career & even driving. 16 ENT's-`Top Docs' were angry
& blew me off. 1 Neurotogist ran tests & said all negative. My
INT. doc kept me in pain-meds & believed me but by 8 yrs. of this
stuff throwing me into an autoimmune state of rashes, mixed words
noticeable swelling, he had a lab do a Coronal CT. Next day he
called & said we're finding you a surgeon ASAP. Bone infection
had extended from ear to maxillary/ethmoid. A 15mm tumor! Well,
2 surgeons later said films were wrong. I ck-out the films. Did
not look good to me. All said pills for sinuses & tube for ETD.
Fullness over yrs left me w/ fear & slow brain. Out of town re-
read said I need surgery! Yrs. before, I had 3 tubes. 1st lasted
3 wks. till blocked, 2nd got infected & started `pulsing' in/out.
Sucked infection IN! 3rd got engulfed w/ scar-tissue & became a
part of the drum. Pain/fullness still happening. Went out of area
so no colleague-bonding was going on. Dr. surgically removed tube
& said culture was not good. My Int. found me help. (4th) surgery
pathology showed Tumors & cancer. I was bull-dozed & lucky that
it didn't make it's way to the brain. I have trigeminal-nerve
damage, helps the ear wk. Inflammation to the ET internally will
narrow it, block & cause fullness. Once ETD, if there's a cure, I
haven't found it. Augmentin is best spectrum Rx. If unilateral,
it's not allergies. Tube is a good trial but have removed if it
blocks. Insist procedure includes a inner-culture & get a copy.
My IQ & life changed due to a brotherhood of ENT's that couldn't
think out-of-the-box. I have lifetime follow-up for recurrences.
Surgeon researched my past. I'm now refused service if it does
not apply to follow-cks. My INT. MD has retired & I've seen 6.
They have easier patients & conditions in mind. 2 files had all
the Dr. names I visited over the last 8 yrs. Feel blessed if you have a listener. Get copies of everything! I recently got a 7 yr old copy from files of an ENT that saw me. Large print: Suspect
Rt. Nasal Polyps.' I was told, nothing wrong. Big Oops! Follow
your instincts. Ask for cultures to rule out infection even if
it's just the ear canal & nasal swab. Be nice but `in charge!'
The holes: I have lots of scarring on drum w/ no hearing loss.
Barometric & wind triggers pressure & tinnitis.
  

[OwlMyste]

I have this problem. it is with my inner ear...(left ear)...You know how you have to pop your ears when youre flying or going to the mountains? to equalize pressure? well my left ear feels permanently popped....Is there any way that I can make it go back to normal? because it will sometimes cause balance problems for me. Please email me at The_Dairy_Fairy_O_o***@**** label the subject title "Jessica's left inner ear problem".........THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!