Getting nowhere with ear pain

[gambler1969]

Looking for anyone with similar experience. I have been to four ENTS in the past 3 years. I have fullness and pain in my right ear and sharp or burning pain when I swallow. Feels like a lump. I have had my nose scoped and nothing found, no lumps bumps, no abnormal bloodwork. Each ENT had a different diagnosis but no help. First Dr.said calcium deposits, eustachian tube dysfunction, silent reflux, tmj and lastly "I don't know, maybe an inflamed nerve in your throat that swells. The only medication that has ever been prescribed has been flonase. The only time that the pain has ever gone away and I mean completely was when I had bronchitis and was on Prednisone. At the higher dosage 40mg the pain was gone as the dosage decreased the pain returned. I even went to a head and neck cancer Dr. and he didn't see anything either. I know something is wrong and this has taken over my life. Every once in a while, perhaps every few month I feel this itching in my ear and then something feels like it's opening up for a second and for those few seconds, nothing hurts. Then back to pain. I have an appointment next week to see my 5th Dr. and I just don't know what to do anymore.

[miche508]

You might check into glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
I've had this for 3 months now, seen drs far and wide, and now being treated by a neurologist. It's so frustrating...

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Dear gambler.

Understand what you are going through. The fullness in the ears is referred to as glue ears. This is more common in children. Decongestants, steroid nasal sprays and antihistamine medications may help clear the tubes and facilitate drainage. If this fails then minor surgery, which involves placing small tubes, known as grommets, in the ear. Grommets can help drain fluid out of the middle ear.

A grommet will help to keep the eardrum open for several months. As the eardrum starts to heal, the grommet will slowly be pushed out of the eardrum and will eventually fall out. This process happens naturally and should not be painful. Most grommets will fall out from 9 to 15 months after being inserted. Good Luck with your procedure, get well soon.  

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[gambler1969]

Dear Dr. Anitha,

I saw the Doctor who said he wasn't sure whether it was tube dysfunction or not immediately suggested the procedure you suggest. He said he could do it in his office. He didn't suggest other tests like an ultrasound or MRI or anything else. I'm scared but I guess anything is worth a try if it might help the pain which now seems constant and so much worse oddly when the weather gets stormy. I do appreciate your help.

[gambler1969]

Thank you so much for answering me. I am seeing my 5th ENT in 3 years this morning. This has actually become so debilitating that it is constantly on my mind. And after all the different diagnoses, I've practically given up hope. But I do so appreciate an answer and a kind word. Again, thank you.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Your symptoms of fullness in the ears and ear pain could be due to Eustachian tube dysfunction. This is more so as you have episodes where you feel the ‘opening up’ and temporary relief from pain. In Eustachian tubes dysfunction, the blockage can be intermittent. If the Eustachian tube dysfunction, does not resolve with medical therapy like nasal sprays, then surgical options are the choice of treatment. Myringotomy, where a tiny slit is made in the eardrum to aspirate any middle ear fluid and to allow temporary ventilation into the middle ear space. Pressure Equalization Tube, PET, where a tiny plastic or metal tube, is introduced into myringotomy to keep the portal open. Please discuss this with your doctor when you meet him.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.