Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Fluctuations?

Hi - i have ETD (awaiting to see ENT) the fluctuation of this condition is extremely hard to bare - I have religiously for nearly a fortnight been trying things, gargling, Otovent balloon, lymphatic draining, steaming etc etc...,some days it feels like its improving but today its awful, blocked and T is loud - Dr did prescribe Sertraline - i already explained i was wary due to the side effects of T - so is this usual for ETD ?- I am off work sick and trying to go for a walk each day and nearly burst into tears,

[1599]

I know how you are feeling. I have suffered with ETD. Started 3 years ago, both ears blocked, awful. I only had bad tinnitus at night, seemed to be as soon as I Iay down. It was in covid times so couldn't see any ENT specialist. I was frightened as didn't know what was going on . My life came to a standstill I lost so much weight. All I can say it does get better but can take time. My right ear improved and I have not had trouble since but my left ear I have problems on and off all the time. It does get better though and I seem to just live with it now.I don't have bad tinnitus just a hissing sound when I know ear is having problems again. I was recommended a saline nose spray by hospital which does help. I could not do that balloon, I just couldn't blow it up! But meant to be good. I wish you well soon. I never knew your ears could cause you so many problems!

[Hidden in reply to 1599]

Hello and thank you for your reply, am so sorry that you have been through this and still have to deal with it to a degree, it's so complex isn't it, i also feel incredibly tired at times with it i can hardly get up each morning!!! often depends on what sort of sleep i have had of course, re the Otovent balloon yes a little tricky! when i looked it up you can also just blow it up with your mouth, my husband had to do it initially for me!! after use it became easier, and after several days i have been able to blow it up with my nostrils!! my left ear (reasonably ok) usually pops, and i was very excited the other day when my right ear (bad) popped, this is how sad my life is that i get excited over this!!! anyhoo i have proceeded with the balloons as they are recommended for this ghastly condition, it's the pressure i find so hard to deal with and it seems to ramp up the T - and that gets to me the most, it's early days, i guess about six weeks now (lost track of time completely) I know it can take a long time,..i see the ENT on Wednesday and i am hoping he can advise further, do appreciate your reply and i wish you well 😀

[ModelMetalworker]

From what I understand the condition ETD can cover just about any hearing - ear function issues. What frightened me to the doctor was when something was sticking open, maybe the inner ear, raising the volume in my left ear with hearing distortion, although brief and swallowing usually cleared it, not had any pain or blockage or hearing loss. I stopped the Otovent balloon about twelve days ago with no issue as yet. My T does it's thing not affected by the ETD which I believe could be so much worse.

[Hidden in reply to ModelMetalworker]

Hello and thank you for your reply, yes the structure inside our head is so complex and interlinked, it could be jaw, bone, related too, obviously the ET is tucked away and hard to make a good diagnosis apart from our symptoms, i get disheartened with the fact that i am doing just about everything in my power to help it back to some sort of normal function again, but really have to be patient, progress seems incredibly slow if any at times, thank you and i wish you all the best in dealing with it .

[Hidden]

Please do not shoot the messenger…

Mucus is often draining from the sinuses … and post nasal drip(LPR) in chronic conditions.When you swallow that follow on of sound in the ear can be blocked Eustachian tubes…

Stubborn mucus often responds to catarrh lozenges and steam inhalation with a teaspoon of Vicks in a bowl of hot water inside a larger bowl of hot water.. ten minutes am and pm..starts to break down the mucus blocking sinus cavities.. which in turn hold pockets of infection.

Post nasal drip often caused by reflux at night… sodium bicarbonate mixed in a little egg cup of warm water … use a silicone pipette or nepi pot… try to bathe nasal passage with this .. helps dry up watery mucus which may aggravate sinus issues.

Often low grade infections persist because of biofilm…. This helps pathogens to survive against the body’s immune system… and a short course of cranberry juice or serrapeptase (proteolytic enzyme) is great for sinus issues because they remove biofilms …and let the immune system get to work.

Mucus is often sticky and hard to remove because it is a disulphide bond..you can break this down using NAC N-Acetyl Cysteine.. it is given to people for cystic fibrosis for this reason.. loosens mucus wherever it is in the body and expels it.. because it breaks those bonds up so they are less sticky.Amazon or EBay 600 mg one a day.. .. every household should keep this in for stubborn chest infections that never seem to clear up.

If none of the above seem to help then the last suggestion might seem odd…

Nicotine patches… low dose 2mg once a day…

Somewhere upper torso… non addictive but restores certain receptors in the cns especially around the brain responsible for tinnitus issues… not really necessary to explain the concept in detail because it often occurs after using certain medications that use peptides…most do… B.P….blood thinners…heart medications…even certain face creams but it certainly worth trying if it brings quick relief…if it is going to work it does within a few days…amazing results.

I have use all the above to stop tinnitus and persistent mucus issues with great effect.

Best wishes and hope this is helpful.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi and thank you for such a detailed reply!

I do steam twice daily with menthol, and apart from anything it's quite soothing.

It's very interesting what you have written re the nasal drip etc...i am sure i have an allergy as even if i have a drink of water my nose runs, (we have filtered water) if i go for a walk my nose runs! I have had this for decades.

When i had my MRI recently it showed clearly two large cysts in the sinus area, there was no mention that they could be triggering any problems, but i will ask the ENT man when i see him next week.

Am so pleased that you have found a way to help stop the T and mucus production, that is so good!!!!

Thank you again very much and i will go over your comments many times!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Polyps and Cysts survive in the nasal cavities because they have biofilm… this shields them against your immune system which is why they persist for many years…same goes for pockets in dental cavities… and using serrapeptase dissolves biofilm and fibrin deposits. It is an enzyme from the silk worm that they use to dissolve silk threads (cocoons) when hatching…I had two polyps in my nose .. that I had for thirty years.. now gone… three months after starting with serrapeptase… who knows?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That's very interesting thank you!!!! How do come to find out these amazing things, do you have a scientific/medical background? or have you just done a huge amount of research, it's fascinating!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Research biofilms .. here’s a simple explanation that might help..

bioceuticals.com.au/mobile/...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks 👍

[ModelMetalworker in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I have the follow on sound in my ears when swallowing, will try your recommendations.

[gbren]

Hi all,

This thread seems to be really useful for my situation too. A lot of congestion on one side seems to have triggered persistent T. I was curious about the cranberry juice approach and what a course of this might involve?

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.

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 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.

I'll pop this into a main chat too, but again, really useful to read this thread. Thanks a lot.

[Hidden in reply to gbren]

Hi - I have just started Bowen Therapy which helps the body heal naturally it's a very gentle approach...had two sessions so far, she worked on my neck etc to help drainage...I feel my right side is always blocked and if I could only unplug it!!!!