I saw the GP in July , and requested an ENT referral as I'm still very unbalanced and have had issues like ear popping,ear pain, fullness etc, plus migraines. It could be suggestive of a vestibular problem, which I've learnt is more common in those of us with thyroid issues. I've tried several medications which haven't worked.
I phoned the ENT dept yesterday to see how long approximately the waiting times are and for routine referrals it's 8 months. I was gob smacked. My referral has been classed as routine as apparently the GP didn't include much detail. I immediately contacted my GP and asked for my referral to be expedited, as the receptionist at the hospital advised.
I can't go on like this for 8 more months 😪
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Sparklingsunshine
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Is this in both ears and do you tinnitus too? I am also waiting to see ENT here in France.I only have to wait six weeks so not to long. I think I have an Acoustic Neuroma, so not good.
Never had a headache or ear ache in my life, so different to you. I am completely deaf now
in one ear as well. My balance is bad how about yours.
I've had it for 4 months, one day fine although did have a nasty migraine that day, the next unbalanced, feel like my balance function has got scrambled.
I've no tinnitus or hearing loss and my dizziness isn't really dizzy as I've got no vertigo or nausea. It's very odd. It feels like I'm walking on a trampoline or the ground is made of marshmallows. If I was a drinker I'd say its how feeling tipsy feels. But without the fun. Its incredibly disorientating and not knowing what is makes me even more frustrated.
I had a brain MRI in May but not with contrast. I think they were just ruling out obvious causes like MS or a tumour.
I'm really sorry to hear about your neuroma. I hope it's treatable and you can make a full recovery. Thank goodness you don't have a long wait to see someone.
Well I am not sure that it is an acoustic but I have every symptom. I hope not I already have a saggy face due to age I don't want to lose my facial nerve too.Keep posting please when you find out I hope you get better soon.
Hi Sparklingsunshine
I, too, have had this although I get tinnitus as well as the Ear Tube Dysfunction- pressure in the inner ear, popping, or not being able to, daily ear fullness, intermittent sharp stabbing pain in the inner ear etc and am awaiting a referral to ENT. I’ve booked a private consultation for September with an ENT consultant as I won’t be able to wait for the NHS. Fed up spending money to get to the bottom of my health issues, but I don’t want to wait any longer to have this one problem reviewed. I was told up to a year for the NHS ENT.
Mine started in November and is constant. Occasional days it’s slightly less uncomfortable but has never gone ☹️. The pressure in both ears was so bad once it woke me up!
I am wondering if it might be a migraine symptom as I get these as well and the headache is worse when my ears are.
I’m hoping the ENT can rule out inner ear autoimmune disease but not sure what they can do to sort this issue, if anything? I’d also read here that AIED can be secondary to Hashimoto’s. A recent hearing test showed reduced hearing at some frequency in the inner ear so the audiologist said something is going on. Have you had a recent hearing test?
Sorry I don’t have answers but offering sympathy as I’m in the same position. It’s exhausting and can really grind you down.
Symptoms of migraine and how these can affect ears
Could be vestibular migraine. I'm wondering if that's what I have. I haven't had hardly any migraines since this started when before they were a regular occurrence. Apparently it seems you either get the headache or the dizzy/imbalanced feeling, but not both at the same time. All the symptoms you describe are very common in VM.
Seems as though having migraines predisposes you to inner ear issues like Menieres, or Labrynthitis. As well as tinnitus, as does being hypothyroid. I've joined a very helpful chronic dizziness and migraine forum. It's been a mine of useful information and advice. I can let you have the website address if you're interested.
No I've had diddly squat. Well I've ruled out a brain tumour I guess. But most of the focus has been on what it isn't, ie Menieres, BPPV etc. My neurologist did suggest it could be Vestibular Migraine however he was in the process of handing back my care to my GP, so there was no follow up.
I had to push for the ENT referral. I'm hoping they might do a hearing test but honestly I've not noticed any hearing loss as yet. Did you have yours on the NHS or elsewhere?
I had a free screening locally! I don’t feel like I’ve lost any hearing at all, too. But it was at a particular frequency in the left ear. I’ve had a recent head CT so all normal there too!
It is exhausting, funnily enough my neighbour has MS and has been experiencing a bad flare up, leading to balance issues. We were discussing symptoms and as she said at least she knows what hers is. For me much of the stress is not knowing what it is.
For me at least having a diagnosis and some sort of treatment plan and being able to research other helpful tips like supplements or exercises to help, would be a big step forward.
I really wish you luck and please keep us posted on your progress.
I sadly can believe it, my Fibro has been blamed for practically everything, I'm sure if they could have blamed my acute appendicitis on it they would have.
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Ent appointment 
Referral ???
why do I need referral from my GP
