- Jan 18, 2024
- 190
- Tinnitus Since
- 2023
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Possible Ototoxic Reaction to Sertraline and Hydroxyzine
Here to report after balloon dilation.
I had the procedure done and have experienced only minor improvement so far.
Last year, I started experiencing symptoms of TTTS and slight hyperacusis during an extremely stressful period. I took Zoloft after Propranolol and Hydroxyzine failed to help, and my excellent doctors did not want to prescribe benzodiazepines. On day three, I had a severe adverse reaction, which I believe was caused by Zoloft or a combination of Zoloft and Hydroxyzine. The next day, after the neck swelling (as part of the muscle rigidity I experienced from the adverse drug reaction) subsided, I immediately heard a "wong" sound, followed by the persistent loud tinnitus that has been with me 24/7. My PCP prescribed steroids about two weeks in, but they did nothing. The ENT prescribed another pack two months later (the earliest I could see them), and the tinnitus became somewhat quieter during that time.
I was a hermit for the first two months but started getting out more. I noticed that when I drove over any small hill, my ears would get pressure that required swallowing to fix (baro-challenge ETD). I also experienced crackling sounds, etc.
A brain MRI showed nothing remarkable. More nasal antihistamines with no result led the doctor to suggest balloon dilation. I had the procedure done, and I am now almost three weeks post-procedure. The procedure itself was very easy. I was put under with Propofol and was up an hour or so later. I had some significant bleeding that was gone by the end of the first night, but my nose was sore for the first week and a half. I also had a lot of drainage that I couldn't get rid of (you can't blow your nose for the first two weeks or shouldn't, though I had to at times). During the first week, I was very concerned I had made things worse as I was experiencing autophony (hearing my own voice), which can be a sign that the Eustachian tubes have become patulous. But that has largely subsided. I can say that the fullness from driving over hills doesn't happen as frequently but still occurs. I also notice my swallowing/tubes opening much more significantly. If I drink something or eat something wet, sometimes my tubes are much more audibly opening/closing temporarily.
I would suggest getting a second opinion from an ENT if you are interested. I know all of us, when we approach doctors with tinnitus, still have that 3-6 month hope that it's all correctable and might go away, and we are basically willing to try any intervention. If you can control yourself and have access, get a second opinion before undergoing the procedure.
So, did it expand my Eustachian tubes? Yes, but only partially. Driving still triggers it over hills, just much less frequently and severely. Did it fix tinnitus, hyperacusis, and TTTS? No. I am seeing another doctor (a Neurotologist), who likely can't help me, but I'm going to give it the ol' college try. I am sleeping somewhat better in that I'm getting 4.5-7 hours of interrupted sleep (usually 3-4 hours, then up, then knocked out again), which I generally attribute to starting to habituate to the tinnitus.
I still hold a theory that all of my symptoms are interrelated to hyperactivity in the brain and that all of my hopes are futile as there is no real fix. However, I have a doctor who may be willing to prescribe Gabapentin. While I'm concerned with medications making everything worse, I have to say that living life in a somewhat constantly anxious state is no way to live either.
I had the procedure done and have experienced only minor improvement so far.
Last year, I started experiencing symptoms of TTTS and slight hyperacusis during an extremely stressful period. I took Zoloft after Propranolol and Hydroxyzine failed to help, and my excellent doctors did not want to prescribe benzodiazepines. On day three, I had a severe adverse reaction, which I believe was caused by Zoloft or a combination of Zoloft and Hydroxyzine. The next day, after the neck swelling (as part of the muscle rigidity I experienced from the adverse drug reaction) subsided, I immediately heard a "wong" sound, followed by the persistent loud tinnitus that has been with me 24/7. My PCP prescribed steroids about two weeks in, but they did nothing. The ENT prescribed another pack two months later (the earliest I could see them), and the tinnitus became somewhat quieter during that time.
I was a hermit for the first two months but started getting out more. I noticed that when I drove over any small hill, my ears would get pressure that required swallowing to fix (baro-challenge ETD). I also experienced crackling sounds, etc.
A brain MRI showed nothing remarkable. More nasal antihistamines with no result led the doctor to suggest balloon dilation. I had the procedure done, and I am now almost three weeks post-procedure. The procedure itself was very easy. I was put under with Propofol and was up an hour or so later. I had some significant bleeding that was gone by the end of the first night, but my nose was sore for the first week and a half. I also had a lot of drainage that I couldn't get rid of (you can't blow your nose for the first two weeks or shouldn't, though I had to at times). During the first week, I was very concerned I had made things worse as I was experiencing autophony (hearing my own voice), which can be a sign that the Eustachian tubes have become patulous. But that has largely subsided. I can say that the fullness from driving over hills doesn't happen as frequently but still occurs. I also notice my swallowing/tubes opening much more significantly. If I drink something or eat something wet, sometimes my tubes are much more audibly opening/closing temporarily.
I would suggest getting a second opinion from an ENT if you are interested. I know all of us, when we approach doctors with tinnitus, still have that 3-6 month hope that it's all correctable and might go away, and we are basically willing to try any intervention. If you can control yourself and have access, get a second opinion before undergoing the procedure.
So, did it expand my Eustachian tubes? Yes, but only partially. Driving still triggers it over hills, just much less frequently and severely. Did it fix tinnitus, hyperacusis, and TTTS? No. I am seeing another doctor (a Neurotologist), who likely can't help me, but I'm going to give it the ol' college try. I am sleeping somewhat better in that I'm getting 4.5-7 hours of interrupted sleep (usually 3-4 hours, then up, then knocked out again), which I generally attribute to starting to habituate to the tinnitus.
I still hold a theory that all of my symptoms are interrelated to hyperactivity in the brain and that all of my hopes are futile as there is no real fix. However, I have a doctor who may be willing to prescribe Gabapentin. While I'm concerned with medications making everything worse, I have to say that living life in a somewhat constantly anxious state is no way to live either.
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