Eustachian tube disorder/congestion on one side...causing tinnitus.

[gbren]

Hi all,

Luckily I don't seem to have any polyps, infections or anything else going on. It seems that my T and ETD come from a habit of sniffling which I developed when I moved to London, combine with tension in my neck and right shoulder. All seem to combine to basically block my Eustachian tube and build up congestion in my sinuses. After that it's a case of one affecting the other in turn and T persisting.

It's all on one side, and when it relaxes and clears it's a real sign that something mechanical and hygiene related is, hopefully, key for me. But any advice on a routine for me to follow would be really appreciated.

I've had intermittent relief from a range of things including neck massage and things that clear my sinuses such as saunas, swimming, long fresh air walks, any time I've had a temperature and sometimes from exercise, etc. But I haven't put together a consistent pattern of using nasal rinse, etc etc in a way that has stuck. From what I've read here there could be real benefit to being systematic and persistent, but a little more info describing a successful approach to getting sinus decongested, eustachian tubes to clear and in turn any success with T would be great to hear.

Thanks a lot.

[RONf]

Hi

I was diagnosed with ETD - and nothing prescribed or other methods of clearing it seemed to help. I was in great discomfort and at times pain. This latest nearly eight months! I saw an ENT consultant (the senior one in the department), and after thoroughly examining me, and he said the problem could well be inflammation in my temporomandibular joints - a very complex system that can deeply affect ears. (He knows that I have T. ) He simply recommended to take shop-bought ibuprofen two tabs three times a day for two weeks - and if that didn't work to see him again. I was worried about the ibuprofen ramping up my T (I have fortunately habituated). It worked. My pain & persistent discomfort has now gone. Fortunately the ibuprofen did not cause a T spike.

Kindest regards

Ron

[KarenFa in reply to RONf]

Hi Ron, that seems a lot of ibuprofen to me. Can you please tell me the mg of ibuprofen that you took as I have exactly the same symptoms as you and am willing to try anything within reason.

[RONf in reply to KarenFa]

Hi Karen

Sorry about the delay in a reply. The NHS consultant said to take the 'on the shelf' ibuprufen, that is 2 x 200 mg tabs after food three times a day for a fortnight. I simply bought mine in Aldi! I too was worried about this causing a spike in my T - the consutant said I would be fine....he was right. The ear pains caused by the inflammation in my temporomandibular joints has gone. My T, to which I have fortunately at the moment habituated, did not spike.

Once again, sorry about the delay in my reply Karen. I wish you all the very best.

Kindest regards

Ron

[KarenFa in reply to RONf]

Thank you Ron.

[gbren in reply to RONf]

Hi Ron,

Thanks a lot for this reply. I do think this is a factor and I'm really pleased to hear you have had some success dealing with it. Does this also mean your T has gone away too? Cheers.

[RONf in reply to gbren]

Hi

Fortunately I have habituated to my T. It has not gone away, but it has not worsened or spiked, I wear NHS hearing aids when watching TV so that it is not too loud to upset the rest of the family. I cannot hear my T at all when wearing the hearing aids when TV is on - or when listening to music/radio etc. I am aware of T now whilst typing this, but as I have habituated it does not worry/trouble/upset me any more.

Kindest regards

Ron