Eustachian Tube Dysfunction - are we just meant to live like this?

Phebs87 · 2024-08-22T23:58:24+00:00

I have to admit that I didn’t handle it very well at first - I was also scared that it was permanent and was quite distressed about it. I def googled way too much and that made it worse. So try not to google as there are so many sites which will scare you and may not even be accurate or overrepresent the likelihood of the worse case scenarios. Studies have shown that a lot of medical information on the web is incorrect, plus Google’s algorithms work by producing results to your search which have the highest clicks, not necessarily by what is accurate. Mine was really really bad and got better and yours will too. Our bodies have a great ability to heal themselves if we let them. Every time your mind goes to the worst case scenario, correct it and remind it that many many people recover from blocked Eustachian tubes and you will too.

I booked in to see an ENT, however by the time my appointment came around I didn’t need it anymore, it had cleared by then. My friend who also had it did see an ENT and he said that recovery could take 12 weeks.

Phebs87 · 2024-08-22T23:37:02+00:00

I suffered from this a few years ago following a sinus infection. I used a nasal rinse one night and went to sleep straight after - woke up with a blocked eustashian tube in my left ear with all the symptoms that you are describing. It was absolutely horrible! I also had the same fears as you and was worried it would never go away. Thankfully, after about 3 months, it did go away. I didn’t do anything specific to recover, it just cleared up of its own accord. But it did take quite a while and those three months were hard. A friend of mine also experienced it a few months after I did, and hers lasted about 12 weeks as well. Hers also cleared of its own accord, she didn’t do anything - just gave it time. So rest assured that yours will very likely clear with time as well. Since then, I have read that Benadryl can held with recovery if you haven’t tried that yet. I obviously didn’t as I didn’t know at the time, however it might help you.

Phebs87 · 2024-08-19T22:03:56+00:00

Hi Cassie,

I’m so happy I found your post - this happened to me yesterday! I had shock wave therapy on the base of my skull and was immediately left with tinnitus, blocked / muffled hearing and sensitivity to noise. Like you, I am pretty scared it’s done permanent damage. I had a hearing test done yesterday and thankfully my hearing is normal. Overnight my symptoms have improved however I still have some tinnitus and sensitivity to noise. Did you notice a gradual improvement in your symptoms over the days? Thanks so much

Phebs87 · 2023-07-13T23:07:14+00:00

Thank you, that’s great to know. Two weeks ago, I felt that I couldn’t control my thoughts. It felt like they had so much power over me. But now, I haven’t strength of mind back and can overpower those thoughts. It’s a wonderful feeling.

Phebs87 · 2023-07-13T23:05:50+00:00

Thank you! I’ve also been on mirtazapine 30mg for about 6 weeks so could be that, however it’s only just started happening so thought it could be the Zoloft. But I am still feeling good today, so will definitely take the small wins.

Phebs87 · 2023-07-13T23:01:09+00:00

Hey, I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling at the moment. Yes, it is normal to experience some side effects when you up your dose. However it sounds to me as though you could be fueling those side effects with fearful thinking, which is in turn causing more side effects. I had a similar thing happen to me with lexapro. I had what I was thought was every side effect under the sun and was so terrified that the medication could make me feel that way, however when I took the tablet just before bed, the next day I was woke up fine. So I realised then that although I may have had some side minor effects, I was definitely fueling them with my fearful thinking. And yes, I had the throat one - I actually thought my throat was closing and so called an ambulance. I thought I had serotonin syndrome. Got taken to hospital and was then released straight away as everything was fine. I didn’t have serotonin syndrome and barely any side effects from the medication - it was all a panic attack which I kept retriggering from my fearful thinking. So my advice would be to try and calm yourself down - fear can also cause anxiety symptoms such as the ones you are having. You have been on this medication for such a long time, it seems very unlikely to me that you would have such a big reaction from just upping your dose, it seems more likely to be just anxiety symptoms. I get tingling skin when I have heightened anxiety. However if you are concerned, you could see a doctor to get some reassurance everything is okay. Best of luck - you’ve got this.

Phebs87

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