Jones Tube

[Brammy59]

I have a jones tube.  I just had in replaced in June of 2009.  Recently it has been getting plugged with mucus.  I have a heck of a time clearing it sometimes.  I use nasal sprays, Neti Pot, steam or vigorous exercise to loosen the plugged tube.  I even resort to pushing a wire down it to unplug it.  Is there some type of suction or a water type pic that I can flush it out with?  What do others do.  Usualy I can plug my nose and draw in through the tube to clear it.  But today I couldn't get it unplugged all day.  When I went swimming it still didn't clear.  Then I skied in the afternoon stlill plugged.  I came home and put my head over a bowl of hot water with a towel draped over.  Still didn't clear.  I shoved a copper wire down it.  I could see the mucus but couldn't dislodge it.  It finally broke loose around 6:30 p.m..  It tends to get plugged overnight when I sleep.  I think I will take some kind of decongestent tonight.  What do others do?

Brammy

[Felkers]

I also have a Jones tube. I have found out you can just remove your Jones tube, clean it and replace it yourself. Not any more difficult than contacts. I did order a replacement Jones tube for a back-up. These things are small and if I lose it, the hole will probably start closing in a day. I ordered a back up at: http://guntherweiss.com/jones-tubes/

I caution you to get a back up Jones tube before you start taking it out regularly since it is so small. Take precautions and remove it over a large pizza pan on a large counter. Don't lose it down a sink drain!!!

Scott
Bluffton, Indiana

[JohnHaganMD]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Unfortunately, I have no experience with this problem.   Consult your surgeon.

Dr. O.