Eustachian-Tube Dysfunction

[llfowl]

Anyone ever have a problem with their eustachian tube?
I hurt mine while flying back from St. Louis on January 4th.
(No, I haven't told my mother that is how it happened. She would just yell at me and tell me that it was my fault since I live in Colorado.)
(Not that hubby and I were given a choice about moving here.)
I finally went to the doctor on the 24th because my ear was still killing me.
He prescribed Zithromax, and told me to take Ibuprofen for the pain,
and Sudafed to try and get it open.
Didn't work.
Called again on the 30th.
He put me on Prednisone for three days.
Still hasn't worked.
MY EAR IS KILLING ME!
I does hurt less often, but when it hurts now, it is ten times worse!
I don't know what else to do.
I will call the doctor again on Monday to see what the next step is.

Any one have any history with this or any helpful information for me?

I am also worried about what to do the next time I get on a plane.
I don't want to go through this again.

Thanks in advance for any help that you can give me!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't know...but after looking it up I can tell you that I *guess* that is what I have as well...hmmmm
I have small ear canals and my ear does not drain properly. Is your ear canal swollen????
Just wondering as I have have that happen and they need to put a wick in it to clear up the infection.

 

[Kermit]

Did he say exactly what the problem is with your eustachian tube? I haven't had any problems with mine since I was young. Children do typically have more problems because it's smaller then and gets a lot of fluid and pressure.

 

[4greatboys]

Did you see an ENT?? If not you need to. I have had probs mainly with my right ear. Your ear should be feeling better by now. Last time I had a problem with my ear and it was very, very painful my dr gave me Vicodin to take for the pain til other meds could start clearing up the problem.
Good luck with you ear, I know it is a very painful problem to have. When I fly take off is not really a problem but landing is a killer--I guess since they decend so slowly. When we start to decend I have to hold my nose and blow out to keep my ears open. Its the only that helps me.

 

[RitaZ.]

You should see an ENT doctor.

My younger brother has a problem with his eustachian tubes (he is 30 yrs. old), I'm not exactly sure what it is. All I know is that he would have ear infections that wouldn't go away, it was so bad he could barely function. Finally, his doctor suggested that DB have the tubes put in. They worked great, but as soon as they came out on their own, the problems would start again when he would get a cold.

So far, he has had 3 sets of tubes put in. The first two were put in the Dr.'s office and the last set had to be done in the hospital, as the tubes were bigger than the previous ones. He had this done about a year ago and hasn't had any more problems. I do remember my brother saying that the doctor hoped that the bigger tubes would help shape the eustachian tubes (I'm not certain, but I can ask my brother if you like).

Good luck to you. I know that these problems can make a person miserable. Go see a specialist.

 

[CathyCanada]

Just adding my agreement on seeing the ENT and that tubes could be the answer.
Good luck and hope you will be free of the pain soon!!
Cathy

 

[Eeyore2U]

I'm 43 years old and I'm going in for tubes for the second time in about a years time on 2/13. It is no different the with a young child. I suggest going to see an ENT.

 

[llfowl]

Thank you so much for the help guys!!!

The Dr. said that the tube is closed and that it has "sucked in" my eardrum. He said that the tube is enflamed and that the meds should have reduced the inflamation and then the eardrum would go back to normal.

I think that on Monday, if it still looks the same he will probably refer me to an ENT specialist.

The good news is that it doesn't hurt yet today!

I really appreciate your help!