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Help with Eustation Tube Dysfunction
Hello. My fiance has been suffering with eustation tube dysfunction for a little over 6mths. now. We have tried numerous decongestants and nasal sprays as well as a round of steroids. His ENT did allergy testing on him, however, he did not have any significant allergies. Our last resort was to have PE tubes placed. This only made his symptoms worse and they took them out after a couple of weeks. Suprisingly after they took the tubes out and his ears were healing, he was symptom free. When the holes closed up he began with the same symptoms all over again. He has constant pressure in both ears, a fluid-like feeling (though the doctors say there is no fluid), and a stuffy nose. He is completely miserable and losing all hope of getting better. We are at a loss. He has thought about having the PE tubes put back in and giving it a little longer this time to see if they will help. We are both scared and upset and have no idea what to do at this point. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Is there any other treatment at all for this disorder??
Thank you so much,
Amy
Thank you so much,
Amy
I have had problems off and on with bocked Eustachian tube in my left ear for many years. I have also learned to do my best to not let my sinuses stay clogged since it sets into motion a chain of events that lead to a blocked ET and pressure in my middle ear and dizziness tht has at time been debilitating (can't drive, walk etc). Recently my ear was completely blocked for a few days (people tht don't go through this don't realize what a life drain it is) and in a panic I went to the Dr. since I knew the coming chaing of events. The Dr. said they did not see an infection (yet) and just prescribed some decongestants (which is not ground breaking therapy for me). In desperation I scoured the web and ended up finding something that cleared me out (did not end up getting infection with dizziness and cleared my ear). Here are 2 links to the info that helped me. I have been doing this about once a week. Each time I do the procedure I repeat about 3 times. It takes about an hour after the procedure for me to feel the full benefits though I get relief soon after.
Things to do in preparation for the procedure:
*If you have thick mucus, take some Mucinex about an hour before the procedure.
*If you think there is a lot of swelling and you need to take an ibuprofen before treatment, it is an option (I don’t need it)
*Don't tilt your head so the fluid goes into your ET on the first rinse- first rinse- get out some of the congestion (don't want the mucus going into your ET).
*I use Afrin and homemade saline solution with tap water, but other sites highly recommend 4-way in red bottle instead of the Afrin (I may try that as well in future).
Here are some sites- good luck and hope it helps some people!
http://www.ehow.com/how_4537025_cure-clogged-eustachian-tube.html
http://www.earadicator.com/
The following method may be enough to ward off blockage but for me it probably wouldn’t be enough if I was already getting blocked (if already blocked some of the saline might stay in my sinuses- the Afrin helps open things up to drain).
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/2322/The-Sinus-Flush
*** careful to just use Afrin (or other nasal spray) intermittently since can get addicted and make things worse- read about rebound effect****
This has helped me and I went off Allegra about 2 months ago. I use Flonase once a day, morning. When I do the treatment I use it after the treatment (after blow nose good and well and let things drain).
Things to do in preparation for the procedure:
*If you have thick mucus, take some Mucinex about an hour before the procedure.
*If you think there is a lot of swelling and you need to take an ibuprofen before treatment, it is an option (I don’t need it)
*Don't tilt your head so the fluid goes into your ET on the first rinse- first rinse- get out some of the congestion (don't want the mucus going into your ET).
*I use Afrin and homemade saline solution with tap water, but other sites highly recommend 4-way in red bottle instead of the Afrin (I may try that as well in future).
Here are some sites- good luck and hope it helps some people!
http://www.ehow.com/how_4537025_cure-clogged-eustachian-tube.html
http://www.earadicator.com/
The following method may be enough to ward off blockage but for me it probably wouldn’t be enough if I was already getting blocked (if already blocked some of the saline might stay in my sinuses- the Afrin helps open things up to drain).
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/2322/The-Sinus-Flush
*** careful to just use Afrin (or other nasal spray) intermittently since can get addicted and make things worse- read about rebound effect****
This has helped me and I went off Allegra about 2 months ago. I use Flonase once a day, morning. When I do the treatment I use it after the treatment (after blow nose good and well and let things drain).
I have had problems off and on with bocked Eustachian tube in my left ear for many years. I have also learned to do my best to not let my sinuses stay clogged since it sets into motion a chain of events that lead to a blocked ET and pressure in my middle ear and dizziness tht has at time been debilitating (can't drive, walk etc). Recently my ear was completely blocked for a few days (people tht don't go through this don't realize what a life drain it is) and in a panic I went to the Dr. since I knew the coming chaing of events. The Dr. said they did not see an infection (yet) and just prescribed some decongestants (which is not ground breaking therapy for me). In desperation I scoured the web and ended up finding something that cleared me out (did not end up getting infection with dizziness and cleared my ear). Here are 2 links to the info that helped me. I have been doing this about once a week. Each time I do the procedure I repeat about 3 times. It takes about an hour after the procedure for me to feel the full benefits though I get relief soon after.
Things to do in preparation for the procedure:
*If you have thick mucus, take some Mucinex about an hour before the procedure.
*If you think there is a lot of swelling and you need to take an ibuprofen before treatment, it is an option (I don’t need it)
*Don't tilt your head so the fluid goes into your ET on the first rinse- first rinse- get out some of the congestion (don't want the mucus going into your ET).
*I use Afrin and homemade saline solution with tap water, but other sites highly recommend 4-way in red bottle instead of the Afrin (I may try that as well in future).
Here are some sites- good luck and hope it helps some people!
http://www.ehow.com/how_4537025_cure-clogged-eustachian-tube.html
http://www.earadicator.com/
The following method may be enough to ward off blockage but for me it probably wouldn’t be enough if I was already getting blocked (if already blocked some of the saline might stay in my sinuses- the Afrin helps open things up to drain).
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/2322/The-Sinus-Flush
*** careful to just use Afrin (or other nasal spray) intermittently since can get addicted and make things worse- read about rebound effect****
This has helped me and I went off Allegra about 2 months ago. I use Flonase once a day, morning. When I do the treatment I use it after the treatment (after blow nose good and well and let things drain).
Things to do in preparation for the procedure:
*If you have thick mucus, take some Mucinex about an hour before the procedure.
*If you think there is a lot of swelling and you need to take an ibuprofen before treatment, it is an option (I don’t need it)
*Don't tilt your head so the fluid goes into your ET on the first rinse- first rinse- get out some of the congestion (don't want the mucus going into your ET).
*I use Afrin and homemade saline solution with tap water, but other sites highly recommend 4-way in red bottle instead of the Afrin (I may try that as well in future).
Here are some sites- good luck and hope it helps some people!
http://www.ehow.com/how_4537025_cure-clogged-eustachian-tube.html
http://www.earadicator.com/
The following method may be enough to ward off blockage but for me it probably wouldn’t be enough if I was already getting blocked (if already blocked some of the saline might stay in my sinuses- the Afrin helps open things up to drain).
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/2322/The-Sinus-Flush
*** careful to just use Afrin (or other nasal spray) intermittently since can get addicted and make things worse- read about rebound effect****
This has helped me and I went off Allegra about 2 months ago. I use Flonase once a day, morning. When I do the treatment I use it after the treatment (after blow nose good and well and let things drain).
I think I will make a visit to the health food store tytb.
One of my latest cures was an electo sage. It puts small electrical pulses on your skin to move small muscles. I put the two electrodes where I believe my Eustachian tube is and it seemed to help open the tubes for draining. I get so many things that helps but nothing that cures.
----------------------------
Plantago species have been used since prehistoric times as herbal remedies. The herb is astringent, anti-toxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, as well as demulcent, expectorant, styptic and diuretic. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores, and boils. In folklore it is even claimed to be able to cure snakebite. Internally, it is used for coughs and bronchitis, as a tea, tincture, or syrup. The broad-leaved varieties are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable for salads, green sauce, et cetera.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How goldenseal works
While most people assume that goldenseal has direct antimicrobial effects, it may work by more diffuse means. Herbalist Paul Bergner, AHG, investigated the research and has been unable to find case reports where the level of intestinal pathogens are lower after taking goldenseal, although he has found many reports where symptoms were reduced.[9] In fact a study by Rabbani[10] where men with E. coli induced diarrhea had 42-48% reduced symptoms after taking berberine showed unchanged levels of intestinal bacteria, pathogenic or otherwise. His conclusion on how it works:
One traditional use of goldenseal is as a mucous membrane tonic. Note that it does not have to come in contact with the mucous membranes to have this effect. Hold some goldenseal in your mouth for a minute or two, and you can feel the effect on the mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses. Traditional doctors stated that goldenseal increases the secretion of the mucous membranes. At the same time, goldenseal contains astringent factors, which also counter that flow. Thus it was referred to as a mucous membrane "alterative", increasing deficient flow but decreasing excessive flow. How this happens has not been determined by science, but is thoroughly supported by the traditional uses.... It is my opinion that goldenseal acts as an "antibiotic" to the mucous membranes not by killing germs directly, but by increasing the flow of healthy mucous, which contains its own innate antibiotic factors — IgA antibodies. This effect is unnecessary in the early stages of a cold or flu, when mucous is already flowing freely
One of my latest cures was an electo sage. It puts small electrical pulses on your skin to move small muscles. I put the two electrodes where I believe my Eustachian tube is and it seemed to help open the tubes for draining. I get so many things that helps but nothing that cures.
----------------------------
Plantago species have been used since prehistoric times as herbal remedies. The herb is astringent, anti-toxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, as well as demulcent, expectorant, styptic and diuretic. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores, and boils. In folklore it is even claimed to be able to cure snakebite. Internally, it is used for coughs and bronchitis, as a tea, tincture, or syrup. The broad-leaved varieties are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable for salads, green sauce, et cetera.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How goldenseal works
While most people assume that goldenseal has direct antimicrobial effects, it may work by more diffuse means. Herbalist Paul Bergner, AHG, investigated the research and has been unable to find case reports where the level of intestinal pathogens are lower after taking goldenseal, although he has found many reports where symptoms were reduced.[9] In fact a study by Rabbani[10] where men with E. coli induced diarrhea had 42-48% reduced symptoms after taking berberine showed unchanged levels of intestinal bacteria, pathogenic or otherwise. His conclusion on how it works:
One traditional use of goldenseal is as a mucous membrane tonic. Note that it does not have to come in contact with the mucous membranes to have this effect. Hold some goldenseal in your mouth for a minute or two, and you can feel the effect on the mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses. Traditional doctors stated that goldenseal increases the secretion of the mucous membranes. At the same time, goldenseal contains astringent factors, which also counter that flow. Thus it was referred to as a mucous membrane "alterative", increasing deficient flow but decreasing excessive flow. How this happens has not been determined by science, but is thoroughly supported by the traditional uses.... It is my opinion that goldenseal acts as an "antibiotic" to the mucous membranes not by killing germs directly, but by increasing the flow of healthy mucous, which contains its own innate antibiotic factors — IgA antibodies. This effect is unnecessary in the early stages of a cold or flu, when mucous is already flowing freely
i reccomend anyone with middle ear infection problems, chronic ear infection, or glue ear to take Plantego and Golden seal, which you should be able to get a health shop.
i was getting ear infections every-week, with full ears all the time, mucus, and pain, to the point where i was getting them every-week.
the plentego will reduce the amount of infection especially, and the golden seal will get rid of the infection quite quickly
hope this might help some people who are suffering :)
i was getting ear infections every-week, with full ears all the time, mucus, and pain, to the point where i was getting them every-week.
the plentego will reduce the amount of infection especially, and the golden seal will get rid of the infection quite quickly
hope this might help some people who are suffering :)
my names john i live in the uk nteresting reading regarding the etd as i think ive now got had a bad chest infection which then spread to my left ear and its become clogged up with fluid i tried steaming it out with olbas oil and water also have got a nasal sparay plus decogestants so far with mixed success , has affected my personal life have had anxiety attacks also feel panicky and am currently sick off work as well for the next few weeks as feel im not coping , im due to see the ENT at the hospital in the next few weeks so need to see what can be done as have heard about the myringtonomy procedure where they drain your ears does this work and are the grommets and tubes any good then , anyway are there also support groups for this type of conditon oh one last thing thinking of having another hearing test to check things out would they fit me with a hearing aid if u have this type of condition
regards
john
regards
john
to Luis52 and Jack138now
I have had this in years past and it cleared up in a week or so but this time it came and stayed. I started this episode of ETD some 50 months ago.
I do not have a cure but I have learned to live with my ETD problem.
During the first two months I was ready to leave this world and would have left if not for hurting the ones who love me.
Once I started to learn to deal with the problem I felt normal for a few hours while I went floating in the pool. It was like heaven to be rid of the foggy world even if for only 2 hours of heaven in the pool. Even today floating in the pool is a great help for ETD.
Tense jaw and face muscles will prevent the Eustachian tube from opening to drain normal fluid out. So When I get distressed about ETD I am making sure I will not be cured. I have to relax my face and jaw and never grind my teeth. I can do a yawn and stick out my jaw a certain way and pop my ears. This is a lesser pop than the one I get when I swallow water while pinching my nose. If I get a double click on the latter then my ears are super good.
I have found it helps to lie on my back and listen to books on tape. That really relaxes me and helps my ears.
When my sinuses are running like a faucet, I lie on my back on an elevated bed and suck in and swallow the fluid. This fluid normally drains down my throat anyway when everything is working right.
To specifically drain from the Eustachian tubes I put my tongue at the back of my throat and breath in through my nose. This works but takes practice.
If I need to function OK for 4 hours I drain my sinuses and take an equate Nasal Decongestant PE and I can dance the night away until 11pm.
I often wake up at 3:30 am to go to the bathroom and then my nose stops up and I get no more sleep unless I take a Benadryl to open my sinuses and put me to sleep, but then it is hard to get up early in the morning so I just sleep late. The rest helps a great deal. I never let my nasal passages get and stay plugged up as this invites a big setback for me.
If I take medicine all the time, my sinuses are perfectly clear but nothing drains from my ears and I stay foggy headed and at 68 my heart doesn't like being on decongestants and Antihistamines 24/7.
Sometimes I have a kink in my neck and get dizzy and only a Chiropractor can help me. My dizziness has two causes, one from pinched nerves in my neck and the main one is from my ears being stopped up and having pressure on one or both ears.
People who know me now think there is nothing wrong with me anymore. Now I feel normal 98% of the time. When I am feeling normal the ringing is also almost gone but the wolf is always at the door waiting for me to slack off.
Everyday I learn to deal with ETD with less effort and less effort is needed.
Sitting on the computer is one of the worst things for me but I just can't help myself. The computer calls for bad posture, propping my head on my hand and face tension as I try to get the computer to do what I want it to do.
To SanDee53,
I just checked and I am sure I don't have SCDS but a lot of people here could have it. Thanks for sharing your cure.
I have had this in years past and it cleared up in a week or so but this time it came and stayed. I started this episode of ETD some 50 months ago.
I do not have a cure but I have learned to live with my ETD problem.
During the first two months I was ready to leave this world and would have left if not for hurting the ones who love me.
Once I started to learn to deal with the problem I felt normal for a few hours while I went floating in the pool. It was like heaven to be rid of the foggy world even if for only 2 hours of heaven in the pool. Even today floating in the pool is a great help for ETD.
Tense jaw and face muscles will prevent the Eustachian tube from opening to drain normal fluid out. So When I get distressed about ETD I am making sure I will not be cured. I have to relax my face and jaw and never grind my teeth. I can do a yawn and stick out my jaw a certain way and pop my ears. This is a lesser pop than the one I get when I swallow water while pinching my nose. If I get a double click on the latter then my ears are super good.
I have found it helps to lie on my back and listen to books on tape. That really relaxes me and helps my ears.
When my sinuses are running like a faucet, I lie on my back on an elevated bed and suck in and swallow the fluid. This fluid normally drains down my throat anyway when everything is working right.
To specifically drain from the Eustachian tubes I put my tongue at the back of my throat and breath in through my nose. This works but takes practice.
If I need to function OK for 4 hours I drain my sinuses and take an equate Nasal Decongestant PE and I can dance the night away until 11pm.
I often wake up at 3:30 am to go to the bathroom and then my nose stops up and I get no more sleep unless I take a Benadryl to open my sinuses and put me to sleep, but then it is hard to get up early in the morning so I just sleep late. The rest helps a great deal. I never let my nasal passages get and stay plugged up as this invites a big setback for me.
If I take medicine all the time, my sinuses are perfectly clear but nothing drains from my ears and I stay foggy headed and at 68 my heart doesn't like being on decongestants and Antihistamines 24/7.
Sometimes I have a kink in my neck and get dizzy and only a Chiropractor can help me. My dizziness has two causes, one from pinched nerves in my neck and the main one is from my ears being stopped up and having pressure on one or both ears.
People who know me now think there is nothing wrong with me anymore. Now I feel normal 98% of the time. When I am feeling normal the ringing is also almost gone but the wolf is always at the door waiting for me to slack off.
Everyday I learn to deal with ETD with less effort and less effort is needed.
Sitting on the computer is one of the worst things for me but I just can't help myself. The computer calls for bad posture, propping my head on my hand and face tension as I try to get the computer to do what I want it to do.
To SanDee53,
I just checked and I am sure I don't have SCDS but a lot of people here could have it. Thanks for sharing your cure.
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