Back from the ENT, Are They Right?

[Aures]

Hello, I am new here.

The ENT looked into my ears (not sure what device she used, but basically she had a camera, and I could watch along on a monitor as she looked inside). However, I believe that this only allows her to see in my ear and not the eustachian tube.

She also did a hearing test and tried to measure the pressure in both my ears. The left ear was fine, but she wasn't able to get a test on the pressure of my right ear, even though she tried 3 times (it didn't work).

My problem is the right ear, where I have had a wide range of symptoms for 4+ years. She then assured me there is nothing wrong with my ears and after I asked about my eustachian tube, she said it's fine too.

My questions for you ladies and gentlemen:

#1: Does the camera thingy allow the ENT to see if there's a problem with my eustachian tube? (or are certain problems missed?)
#2: Before going for the test, she said that by measuring the pressure, she can detect if there's a problem with the eustachian tube. But since she wasn't able to measure the right side (which is the where I feel the problem), how can she say for sure that it's fine?

Thank you for reading.

 

[glynis]

Aureus,
A warm welcome to the forum.
The pressure test and camera give good results but eustation tube problems need a camera down your nose too.
Are you having a second appointment or MRI ?....lots of love glynis

 

[eric peterson]

#1 did the camera go in your ear, or up your nose? The eustachian tube cannot be seen through the ear. Gotta go up your nose.

#2 don't know. You should try and get a reading on the pressure in your right ear. Do you feel fullness, or have crackling of your ETube?

 

[Michael Leigh]

I have had the ear pressure test that you mention Aures and it would detect if there's any problems in you eustachian tube.
e. The test also reveal if there's any problems with the cochular. Hoe everything else shows normal resulst for you
Michael

 

[Dana]

#1The camera în the ear canal (endoscope) can see whether the eardrum is bulged inward (negative pressure in the middle ear, which indicates closed E tubes) or outward (positive pressure, also from E tubes dysfunction) or flat (as it should be). Camera can help in this way detecting E tubes dysfunction, but it's not enough.
#2 She can't.
You should get tested more (a correct measuring of the pressure in the right ear, and, like the above members said, get a fibroscopy (flexible camera inserted through your nose down to your cavum, to see whether E tubes are opened) and also ear fullness sensation is an indication of E tubes problems.
Go to another ENT, if you can.
You can't go back to the same one and say that you are not convinced by what she told you.

 

[Aures]

First of all, thank you all for the comments.

On my 1st appointment, she did put something through my nose, so I am guessing that was the fibroscopy. She also checked my ears with the endoscope, she noticed a lot of "airbells" and redness/inflammation in my left ear. I told her I just got back from a flight 3 hours before the appointment. She had planned to do the eartest on that very same day, but decided to make a 2nd appointment a week later, as she said the test would be unreliable due to flying.

On the 2nd appointment, we did the eartest, but she didn't check the nose again.
I am guessing, that even if the fibroscopy showed problems with the E tube, she might of just ignored it due to thinking it's because of the flying. Is this conclusion right or am I mistaken here?

And due to the fact that she couldn't measure the pressure of my right ear I think I need to do another test.

The rightside of my face (I am guessing around where my E tube is), always feels clogged/swollen. Everytime when I swallow, it pushes on that "blocked" area. When the blockage is bad, it doesn't "open" when I swallow. But sometimes, when the blockage decreases, then I feel this "fluid" circulation. Then when I swallow, it pushes on that "spot", and then I feel fluids being moved. I think this may be the eustachian tube. Because when I got back from the flight and again swallowed in the same way (pushing on the exact same spot), then suddenly there was this trumpet sound of my right ear, with all the pressure being released.

All in all, I always feel this blocked fluid and pressure when the symptoms are high. And when the blockage is released, I feel it moving and also my ears start popping (pressure dissapearing). Also when I got a flu, it hurts insanely much. And, I am VERY prone to getting a cold. I almost always have a cold, and often flu. I think this ear problem also affects the auto immune system.

My whole life has been stopped because of this for 4 years now . What can I do? Here in The Netherlands we need a doctor appointment to go to a ENT. I don't think they will send me to another one again now that she said it's fine.

PS: I've taken 3 MRI scans, the last one being 1 year ago. However, I took these MRI scans due to having a pineal cyst and always complaining that I felt this "blockage", that (severely) decreased my cognitive and physical functioning. I always described that I felt the problem was in the blood vessels (I never mentioned ear-problems). So the neurologist who took the scan never had any reason to look for problems related to ENT. Do they always automatically look for ear-problems in the scans even if you go for a pineal cyst?
Basically, when the problems started, it started with heavy pain in the ears, which re-occured from time to time, with also sometimes jaw problems. However, I never knew ear-problems could affect cognition etc. so I never made the connection when I went to the neurologist back then.

 

[Dana]

My whole life has been stopped because of this for 4 years now

I can so relate to this! Only the time for which my life was put on hold is almost double.

Here in The Netherlands we need a doctor appointment to go to a ENT. I don't think they will send me to another one again now that she said it's fine

Who are "they"? The people who refer you to a specialist within your insurance? If yes, your only option left is to go to an ENT who has a private practice, and pay from your pocket.
I had to pay for almost all the tests, treatments, medication from my pocket, although I have insurance, because I was not satisfied with the doctors I could have gone to with my insurance. Don't be so upset, there are much worse cases..
From what you describe you definitely have E tube problems on the right side.

 

[Aures]

The doctor who does the referal (it's called huisarts, in english I think it's called GP). But the ENT has like a thousand patients and each only gets like 10-15 minutes. It's all rushed.
Perhaps the best idea is to go to a private ENT like you said. I am poor, but I am willing to do anything to get off this problem.

I need to be sure though that it is E tube problems before I spend money. The moments that it gets less (it never dissapears) is when my tension in my head gets less, like when the muscles relax when the stress is gone. That's the moment that the fluids start circulating. Though often it has this inflammatory burned sensation when I swallow.

My own analysis is also that is is DEFINETLY the E tube. However, my question is whether this problem may be related to other things. Like the jaw, flu, or inflammation etc. I am getting a special brace to allign the jaw soon. And since I have a cold 3 weeks each month, I think, the "blocked eustachian tube" is also related to having a cold. I did an allergy test and I only have an allergy to "dust? or something like that".
Basically, I am thinking, what could the ENT possibly do? As far as I know, the only treatment is:
-Surgery "small incision in the eardrums with tubes inserted"
-Steroids
-Nasal sprays (I already use Mometasonfuroaat Cipla 50 mg). Is this good or are there better ones?
-Antibiotics

It sure feels like it would be good if a small incision was made in my eardrum to let the fluids drain. But is it true that the fluids will keep returning everytime? And how do the fluids normally drain without an incision? Through the nose, throat or the ears?

 

[Dana]

Do they always automatically look for ear-problems in the scans even if you go for a pineal cyst?

Not really. To properly see the ears the MRI machine has to be positioned in a different angle (pontocerebellar angle). Maybe to view E tubes only the usual angle is good enough, I don't know. You can find from an ENT doctor that information. Or even an audiologist may know that.

 

[Dana]

I need to be sure though that it is E tube problems before I spend money.

You can try to redo the middle ear pressure test in an audiology office, done by an audiologist, in which case you pay only for the test, you don't have to pay for a doctor's fee. The test alone is not that expensive.

 

[Dana]

I recommend to talk with Fungus about all your questions.. If I remember correctly, his tubes corrected the pressure problem but not the T, unfortunately.

 

[Dana]

Like the jaw, flu, or inflammation etc. I am getting a special brace to allign the jaw soon.

TMJ (jaw) problems can give the full (clogged) sensation.
And the flu germs can cause inflammation which can shut the E tubes.

And since I have a cold 3 weeks each month, I think, the "blocked eustachian tube" is also related to having a cold.

I think those often colds are causing your ear problem.
@glynis knows about inhalations to unclog your nose and therefore your ears at home.

 

[Dana]

@glynis
So, Glynis, tell us again, please, how to do it. I forgot and it's difficult to find this particular post of yours from so many where you talked about that.
I have bookmarked that post, but I have hundreds of private bookmarks.

 

[glynis]

Hi Dana,
A bowl of very hot water and put your face over the steam with a towel over your head and bowl for about two minutes and do it twice a day for two days and that should give your tubes a good clean out....lots of love glynis

 

[Hariz Nonis]

Do you feel fullness, or have crackling of your ETube?

This is what I feel in my right ear. What does that mean?

 

[eric peterson]

This is what I feel in my right ear. What does that mean?

means you probably have sinus issues. eustachian tube dysfunction (i.e. the tube in your ear is having trouble opening due to inflammation) isn't uncommon. go and see an ent.

 

[Hariz Nonis]

means you probably have sinus issues. eustachian tube dysfunction (i.e. the tube in your ear is having trouble opening due to inflammation) isn't uncommon. go and see an ent.

I have seen one but the ENT never really said it was eustachian tube dysfunction. I have read it up but idk if it could be the cause of my T

 

[Aures]

Thank you Dana for all the information you just provided.

If the fluid in the eustachian tube drains out, where does it come out? Through the nose, throat or the ear? Because there is most likely fluid there and I am trying to get it out. I already tried that hot bowl of water in the past but it was too hot to breathe it in.

But I am trying this method: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/eustachian-tube-drainage.630/

Not sure if I did it right, but my eustachian tube opened afterwards after swallowing. How does the fluid drain out though?

And are there other methods?

 

[Hariz Nonis]

If the fluid in the eustachian tube drains out, where does it come out?

It usually comes out through the nose. I don't think it will ever come out of the ear, since the eardrum will block it. I am however, interested in the link you posted? Does it really help with T if you have eustachian tube issues?