Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Cause Vertigo That Lasts A Couple Of Hours?
Mar 26, 2014
I have recently been diagnosed with Meniere's disease because I had a few vertigo attacks, hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness.
However, after much thought I am beginning to doubt that diagnosis. My ETD had been blocked for exactly the same time my symptoms appeared, I know that easily through the valsalva maneuver, my good ear is clear and bad one is blocked. Also, my bad ear does not pop properly after a flight. And my most severe symptoms happen within a few days after flying, which happened twice. I was vertigo free for 6 weeks in between the 2 flights. Another weird thing is I only get vertigo attacks in the morning right after I wake up, as if my horizontal sleeping position had something to do with it.
My questions:
1) Is it possible with ETD to get vertigo (room spinning) or severe dizziness attacks lasting up to a couple of hours?
2) Do any of you ETD sufferers sense that you get more dizzy after you get up from bed?
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This started around late November 2013, I started getting my normal Winter allergies and then came down with what I now believe was a sinus infection. Non-stop mucus, post nasal drip, face hurting, head throbbing etc.. This lasted for about two weeks. During the end of this and soon after, my ears slowly became more and more congested. I attested it to these allergies/sickness and thought it would slowly go away.
It never did. Instead, it started getting worse. Towards mid-December, I began to get slight ringing and more fullness in my ears. Soon the tinnitus grew worse and worse. My tinnitus during this point was extremely loud high-pitched noises, sweeping in and out. Coupled with 24/7 hiss, like an air conditioner was on in my room. Can't hear high frequencies anymore. A loud tea kettle-esque whistle in my right ear if I hear something of a certain pitch or something too "loud."
I saw my primary care doctor on two separate occasions, who said he saw a little liquid in my ear but that my eardrums appeared fine. He gave me Prednisone. No help. I got recommended to the Head and Neck specialist.
The first specialist I see, he doesn't really care to listen to me to say the least. He does get me a hearing test within a few days though. The hearing test shows a curve that they say can be attested to sensorineural hearing loss that someone my age (23) shouldn't have, and that since my hearing dropped with the timeliness of my sickness, that it was odd.
I see a different specialist next trip. He attests it to allergies and says that my eustachian tubes seem to be blocked up. He looks in my ears, up my sinuses, etc.. He recommends I just use a sinus rinse and to not get my ears drained because that will probably make things a lot worse.
I began to do so for the next week or two, and my symptoms did not seem to change at all. I had already been taking flonase and allergy medication as well, to not much help for my ears.
Lastly, I saw another specialist about a week or two ago. He told me that my hearing test showed what he typically would cite as congenital hearing loss, and kept implying that I had been born with bad hearing (That's definitely not the case, this has been a HUGE shift!) He had me do bloodwork for environmental allergies and other tests and a CT scan. I also asked for antibiotics just to rule things out- those have been used up now.
To say the least, I had to call back a few times as a follow-up. They didn't even bother to get in touch for my results, and all I learned was that I did have mild allergies (something I've known my whole life) and that the CT scan was "fine." I ordered those results to be sent to me to see for myself, but either way I guess he hasn't much interest in seeing me again. Do I see ANOTHER specialist now?
Right now, my tinnitus is not as bad as it was then (I could barely sleep then) but still extremely irritating. The tinnitus is still like that of an air conditioner, and there is still a constant ring that goes on, although it is a bit quieter than before. My hearing is still congested and full, and I can hardly hear someone talk a few feet away from me, I'm afraid my hearing may be permanently damaged or getting worse. I can no longer hear certain frequencies. Sometimes I feel like there is liquid in my ear, but maybe not. Wouldn't the CT scan or other ear examinations show that? Is this actually ETD?
I've done all the advice shown around (Proper Flonase spray to the tubes, Sudafed, (extremely careful) Afrin use, etc. I feel like I'm not getting better. My passion is music and I'm afraid I'll never be able to hear things "right" again.
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I am a teenager,aged 15. I have been suffering from problems with my eustachian tube for 2 years now. I felt thumping,buzzing,vibrations come from within my ear-but at the same time I felt the symptoms to DEEPER into my ear. It has created some headaches and I have to pause between conversations to attempt to unblock my ear.
However,nowadays I cannot unblock my ear properly. The 'stuffed-up' feeling I get has gone even DEEPER. I got an okay in many audiometry tests (PTA tests) and I got a weird thing that sucked out all the mucus in my throat a good 2 TIMES.
The doctor says it will go within time. I've had for 2 YEARS already, It would be terrible to go on like this without being able to swallows properly! Yes,one of my symptoms is the inability to swallow properly without the pressure building up where my tube is at-it makes me go light-headed and faint sometimes.I've tried taking nasal sprays,but they were hell as the steroids made my adenoids act up and swell (but my adenoids are okay now).One point to add,I have only got a deficiency in Vitamin D and I have no thyroid deficiency.
A few questions:
1: Does any UK hospital or the NHS have a cure/treatment to this?
2: Is it normal for teenagers to have ETD for a long period of time such as 2 years?
3: Do home remedies work,like the Candle Ear treatment? I've tried steam treatment but it doesn't work.
Please give some suggestions, It's truly uncomfortable getting out into the cold or out into the hot with such a feeling of 'stuffiness'.
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I have been reading the boards about ETD and all the other potential causes of my ear problems for the last 6 months and am still without a clue what is causing my particular issue.
The story is long and like so many others on these boards also very frustrating. In March I was diagnosed with and inner ear virus as I was dizzy, foggy headed and had a slight sensation of fullness in my left ear (all occurred less than 24 hours after a 3 hour flight). This lasted for 3 weeks at the end of the three weeks all symptoms subsided except for the constant need to "pop" my ears. This lasted 4 days and was gone.
For 3 weeks I was symptom free, I had to take another flight which went off without any problems. For days after the flight I had spells of dizziness and on day 7 after the flight hear came the ear fullness and need to "pop" my ears.
Went back to the ENT and was told I have ETD and will resolve....6 months, 4 ENT's and an Allergist later my ears still feel pressurized. I have mad improvement over the months and instead of having to "pop" my ear 1 million times a day I am down to maybe a half a dozen.
My major concerns are:
While driving my ears bother me the most I feel increased pressure instantly no matter if the windows are open or closed.
Also I have post nasal drip MD diagnosed with non allergic rhinitis, never had that prior to the dizziness and ear issues.
ENT and others say it will go away it just takes time, I have not read of anyone's ETD going away on this board and feel like I can not live with this forever!
What are your opinions: will it resolve over time are we stuck with this forever?
I have been on oral and nasal steroid no significant improvement, I am doing acupuncture and seeing a chiropractor. I am negative for any allergies and my MRI came back negative.
The next step is tubes which they say can help in 50% of case and may make it worse in the other 50%, as much as I want this to go away I can not even take the chance of making it worse.
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This started a week ago at night I started getting ringing sensation in both my ears which persisted that night and wouldn't let me sleep went to the Ent department and got diagnosed as eustachian tube blockage as I had popping of ears and had to constantly swallow so that the ears feel better had a Pure tone audiometry done which should no hearing loss then had a tympanometry which showed a bit increase in the middle ear pressure got prescribed with antihistamine and antibiotics any idea when the tinnitus goes it has decreased to an extent it doesn't disturb but if I close my ears I can hear it anyone experienced the same?
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As far as I know, there is not ETD cure, yet. I am interested in finding one. I am a Caucasian 34 year old man living in Santa Clara, CA. I have a BA in Psychology and work in a Neuroscience Lab. I was diagnosed with ETD a year ago. I have been suffering from it for 17 years. 13 years ago I had a bought of Bulimia that lasted for about a year. I had Anorexia Nervosa as an adolescent. I was given the maximum dose of testosterone to boost me through puberty since Anorexia was preventing it. Soon after I abused alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and various other drugs until 2005. I believe all these factors have contributed to my ETD. I was diagnosed with OCD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder two years ago and have been taking Effexor (Venlafaxine) to cope. An Ear, Nose, Throat doctor (currently called Head and Neck surgeon in US) prescribed me Flunisolide (corticosteroid) to reduce ETD inflammation. It seems to help a little, but it is certainly not a cure, even when used for a significant period of time (i.e. 3 weeks).
My ETD has been recently aggravated by my attempts to remove pimples and skin tags, which may be a symptom of OCD. Has anyone else experienced this situation? Numerous doctors say there is no connection between the skin abrasions and ETD, but they obviously don't have ETD.
Primarily, I am asking for information regarding ETD. I need to know the statistics of ETD so that I can develop a valid research proposal. Health organizations neglect to respond to my questions. It seems that most biological research is involved in diseases such as cancer and heart disease, which is great. But, as I am sure that anyone reading this knows, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction is a debilitating disease that hinders one's ability to live to their fullest potential. As I have recently graduated with a Bachelors degree. I am researching what my next step will be. I am strongly leaning towards statistics and data mining, since that is a much needed position in all research fields.
I am looking for information on the number of people with ETD worldwide and specific to certain regions. A timeline of ETD cases in these regions. Research groups, Academic and Professional, that are researching ETD. Research groups that are investigating ETD from the Neuroscience and/or Ear, Nose, Throat (Head and Neck surgery) perspective. Any other information is helpful as well, especially your own personal accounts of ETD. Please share your history, as much as you care to disclose, so that I can begin to develop an etiology of ETD.
I have read many of the other discussions on ETD and recognize that many of you are suffering and I certainly empathize with you all. I am still trying to decide if my anxiety disorders are the result of ETD, my ETD the result of my anxiety disorders, if they are mutually intertwined, and/or if something else is going on. I very much hope to hear from you so that we may begin to develop a cure for ETD so that we may not be hindered by this ruthless malfunction.
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I been peeing for the past couple of days like two times every two hours what can that be ?
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I've had shingles before, around 4 months ago. This was after losing my father to cancer, I suppose the stress got the better of me.
I'm back on track now emotionally.
However, yesterday morning, I started experiencing all the pains of shingles again, same place, on my left had side of my stomach/lower back.
However, after an awful nights sleep with the discomfort, pain, feeling unwell, bad stomach and stabbing pains, I've realised that it's gone this afternoon. I still have the rash (small spots) but no red raised itchy rash.
Can you get a shingles attack that lasts 24 hours?
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19 year old, white, male.
This is kind of long. But I’m desperate and I need help. Thank you for your time!
First of all, a brief history of my medical issues.
6 years ago, I started having chest and back pains.
* Visited many doctors: Cardiologist, General Physicians, Chiropractors
- Figured out it was skeletal issues
* Found an osteopath who was able to "adjust" me every few weeks. Good temporary relief.
Began seeking out a more permanent solution.
* Heard of The Yardley Institute - a specialty chiropractic center that focuses on the Atlas bone
- Turns out my atlas bone was twisted 5.5 degrees, and was pinching my spinal cords, causing all kinds of pain
- They were able to adjust it, making me feel normal again.
- Unfortunately, the adjustments haven't really been holding, and I've been having to be adjusted every week or so.
Naturally, this has caused me some stress. I am constantly tired and unmotivated to do anything. I find myself short of breath, and in pain when simply standing. I loose balance, as if I were out at sea - my legs feel like they’re swaying underneath me. It’s difficult to walk very far because of this.
A month or so ago, I began having these strange attacks:
- Heart rate elevates significantly
- Excessive shivering/shaking. (Feels like adrenaline throbbing throughout my entire body.)
- I get clammy and cold to the touch
- Short of breath
- Pressure in head, like blood isn't escaping
- Pressure in chest and shoulders
- Naturally, very fearful of death.
- Absolutely no energy. I can barely move without being exhausted.
- Very dizzy + a lot of vertigo.
The first time it happened, I went into the ER, fearing heart problems again. They tested heart, blood, lungs, and did X-rays. Everything came back perfectly fine. They gave me some anti-anxiety medicine via IV in the hospital which seemed to calm me down and made me feel normal again. They dismissed me from the hospital without any medication because they didn’t want to say it was anxiety without more proof.
A few weeks later, I saw my life-long physician. He seemed to think it was anxiety, and gave me some minor anxiety medicine: Fluoxetine Tablets USP (10mg). I take these once a day, and they seem to calm me down overall, but do not prevent the attacks.
ALSO, I think the attacks I’m getting now that I’m on Fluoxetine are different than the attack I had which put me in the ER, even if they were extremely similar.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed something a bit concerning. Exactly 24 hours after I masturbate, one of the attacks happen. I notice that it originates in the back of my head, right where my neck connects to my skull. It always happens as I’m trying to fall asleep. Everything tenses up, and I feel as if I have to clench every muscle in my body in order to relieve this throbbing, dizzying sensation. It hits hard at first, causing me to jolt up, as if I wasn’t in control of my muscles, and then settles into the shaking, pressure, and clamminess. It comes in waves, each wave lasting 5+ minutes until it works it’s way all the way through my body after 3-5 cycles. I often have to hold someone’s hand or have physical contact with something sturdy in order to feel stable.
It is absolutely miserable and terrifying.
The last time I felt one of these attacks coming on, I was able to stand up, clench a pillow, and walk around for 4 hours, which prevented the full attack from kicking in. I was able to sleep eventually, but as soon as I woke up, all the symptoms came back, and the attack hit me. It’s was like I was able to hold it back long enough to sleep, but it HAD to get through my system, so it did so as soon as I was conscious again.
As far as diet and exercise: I do cardio nearly every day as well as take multi vitamins, fish oil, D, and C. I haven’t had alcohol or a smoke since my ER visit, but I hardly ever drink or smoke anyway. I’ve also avoided caffeine except for the occasional soft drink. I eat healthy, especially of late. I try to limit cheap, processed food, as well as sugar, just because I feel like it only makes my symptoms worse. I have been tested for allergies and anemia, both of which came back negative.
Some more - possibly helpful - information:
1. Throughout all these skeletal issues, I have had my neck cracked and twisted in many ways by doctors and myself. I try not to crack it, but sometimes, It helps reduce tension that builds up.
2. Occasionally, I get muscle twitches. My tricep, under my eye, my neck, etc. They don’t go away until I wake up the next morning.
3. For the last 6 months, I have been trying to find work and a car. On top of this, I am hung up on a girl. I want to ask her out, but I am unable because of all these physical and work/car issues. Spiritually, I am constantly terrified and confused. Basically, I have major worry about my future, and I can’t fix it.
4. My anxiety and symptoms always get worse near the end of the day. Sometimes, I can’t focus on anything during the evening’s without feeling vertigo/dizziness.
5. I’ll often wake up with symptoms, but they’ll go away as soon as I eat breakfast.
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Sex and meth.
My wife and I have been doing meth off and on for about 5 years.
It really took our sex lives to a whole new level.
We had been laying off of it the last couple years.. but have started to get it once in awhile again. It's not the same as it was. We would have some WILD and CRAZY sex on it...just a few years ago. Hours and hours of nonstop sex.
But it isn't causing us to do that anymore. Is it the meth that we are now getting? Is it just not a good quality?
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I started getting these 'blind' migraines a couple of years ago. I went to see a specialist, had a brain scan and blood tests, and this is the name given to my problem. They start with an aura, usually over one eye and then develop slowly. I end up seeing wwwww inside one eye. It takes 20/40 minutes for it to disappear. I am usually left with a sore head rather than a painful migraine.
They have been quiet since Christmas and for some reason have started again. I can't seem to find much out about them on the internet and thought I would come onto this great site to see if anyone else has the same type of symptoms.
It may help to know I am female and in my 60's. Have suffered all types of migraine since I was about 13. I don't drink much either. Maybe a glass of wine now and again.
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Anyone's ears blocks for a couple of seconds and rings it doesn't happen to me much every now and then
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The large nodule takes up almost all of the left side of the thyroid whereas in the right side there are a couple of small nodules...about .2cm ...Quick questions...is there an alternative to the op? Surgeon has said he will try to save some of the thyroid but it's might not be possible....he said it could be dangerous and we should take it out...no pain, discovered by accident....advice please?
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I have PTSD and have been struggling lately. My Dr prescribed me Sertraline about 7 weeks ago. I started on 25mg and have increased to 50mg.
Initially I had a few wobbles but persevered and feel so much better generally. The problem is that I feel pretty good then will suddenly drop and feel anxious for a couple of days. I feel shaky and as if I'm having internal tremors. I felt like this before the tablets too.
Another problem is that I'm already only a UK size 6. I have bowel disease and struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Now I've dropped half a stone again so only weigh 8 stone and I'm 5 foot 7.
The last 2 days I've felt 'nervy' again.
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I have one blocked tube ( my right one ) which my doctor thinks is due to having a ruptured appendix. I have been to fertility clinic today and the doc has put me on the waiting list for a lap to remove the right blocked tube. I am not sure how this will help? I have never fallen pregnant and I have been trying for 3 years ? Why would removing the blocked tube help? I cannot receive IVF as my partner already has a child with his ex, so apparently that means i'm not entitled. I really need some answers i'm really pulling my hair out and I am so frustrated.
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I wanted to know how can I get pregnant if I already have the tube ligation burnt procedure.
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I recently started dating this guy about a month ago. We did oral sex for the first time last weekend and he literally only lasted probably 30 seconds. I gave him oral a couple more times the next few days and the same thing happened. He told me he usually lasts 15-20 minutes when someone's giving him oral. Then, earlier this week we had sex for the first time. The same problem arose and he came within 30-40 seconds. He was really embarrassed and said he never really has that problem. I was with him last night and he didn't try to initiate sex or anything after we went to bed. In the morning, I really wanted to do it, but he wasn't taking any of my hints and didn't seem like he wanted to. I guess he realized that I really wanted to do it this morning so he gave in and only lasted no more than 40 seconds again. He was very upset and embarrassed. While we were doing it he was actually shaking. It doesn't bother me that he can't last very long, it just bothers me that it really bothers him. I don't want to keep embarrassing him and make him feel bad when we have sex, but I feel like us having sex more often is the only way it can really get better. Can anyone tell me why he does this or what I can do to make him not feel bad when it happens.
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I am 49 and have contracted chicken pox from goodness knows where. Having been teaching for 10 years and already having it as a child I am flabbergasted to have caught it again and seem to have caught it during half term away from children! There is only one child in our school that seems to have been off with it recently but apparently according to my doctor, it is rife in our local area at present!. I am into week 5 and still coming out in spots!! I am depressed, fed up, worried about my job and totally wiped out!! Has anyone out there had spots coming out after 4 - 5 weeks? I thought it was all supposed to be over in 3? I am now on antiviral tablets but they just make me feel sick and don't seem to be doing anything!
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I'm 37 and for the last 12 months my period has only ever lasted a day. I only ever wear a panty liner because its that light. Is this normal? Or does it mean that i am become infertile? I am not on any contraception, my periods are regular but i haven't been able to fall pregnant even though i am having regular sex. I haven't been on any form of contraception for the last 3 yrs but prior to that i was using depo provera injections for 2 yrs.
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For over the past 3 years (starting around July 2010) I have had a constant headache. It is not extremely intense but is dull and always present. Along with this headache I am also constantly fatigued and my head feels very fuzzy, like it's stuck in a cloud. I should also include that I am otherwise in good health, I am a normal weight, I eat properly, get enough sleep, can run around 7-8 miles without stopping, etc.
I have talked to a few doctors, had various tests done including a CAT scan but none of the tests ever gave any results. I was diagnosed with migraines (even though its not plural, it's just one that has never gone away) and given multiple migraine medications. Sumatriptan does not work and actually makes my head hurt significantly worse. No pain medications have any effect on the pain, I have tried many OTC and prescription meds, from aspirin and ibuprofen to stronger stuff like norcos and percocet, but nothing has had any positive effect. I have been prescribed two different antidepressants but they have the unfortunate side effect of making me tired and drowsy, which when added onto my already fatigued state makes it nearly impossible to get out of bed in the morning.
I am writing this because in the past few months my head has been hurting me significantly more and to be honest it is scaring me pretty bad. I have not had much luck with any of the doctors I have seen, they have no idea what is wrong with me and just give me scripts that don't work. I am not too familiar with migraines but I don't seem to fit the symptoms, except that my head hurts. A doctor at UCSF told me that migraines come in cycles but I could not find on the internet someone who had cycles with constant pain lasting many years at a time.
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I am a 53 year old man. I have an enlarged heart' and copd. 3 or 4 times a day I have a coughing episode that lasts 15 min. It consists of coughing, gagging, dry heaves and clear liquid or spit. Always immediately after sexual climax this happens. No other pattern is noticed. I also have some form of ED. What is this?
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