Neti Pot + Valsalva = Huge Spike

[pytajnick]

Help!

Three days ago I tried to use the Neti pot to irrigate my sinuses (inspired by a success story found on the forum), something went wrong and some water got into my right Eustachian tube. I tried to get rid of it by bending my head, shaking it and (most stupid thing) doing soft Valsalva maneuver and using Otovent (small balloon for ETD). While doing it I could only hear a squeak in this ear.

For some time I felt soft pain in the ear and fullness. Eventually, pain and fullness subsided but after some time tinnitus level started to get through the roof in that ear and stayed. I've also noticed an increase in hyperacusis.

After a sleepless night I went to the emergency and said what happened. The doctor examined my ears and said that my eardrum is fine.

But then I've heard something even more interesting. He basically said that there is a fluid in both my ears. Nothing fresh but a result of old chronic infection. He asked whether I had ear infections during childhood (of which I am not aware). I am using steroid nasal spray at the moment which the doctor prescribed. He said that there's nothing else that can be done except waiting and observe. I wasn't able to convince him to prescribe me Prednisone :/

In home I still have Amoxicillin... Is it worth trying or would you advise against it?

Has anyone had the same experience?

Is there a chance it will diminish to the baseline?

Saying that I'm worried is to say nothing...

 

[Dem]

How your situation continued?

 

[pytajnick]

@Dem, the spike went away eventually but since then I had several other spikes and permanent worsenings. I also got a hyperacusis in that ear after about 2 months. Was it because of the whole Neti pot situation? Hard to say really...

 

[drs]

I used a Neti pot to try and provide a relief to dry nostrils and "nose whistling". I immediately got a spike that made me wonder if it would ever go away. Fortunately it did, but I don't think I will use a Neti pot ever again.

 

[Irene RC]

Please don't use any kind of nasal irrigation system. I suffered from ETD for 6 years now and I feel that after using the Neti pot - which was recommended by my family doctor - is when my ears started to give me more problems than before.

Try Eustachi which in my personal experience won't cause any side effects but it might help you exercise your Eustachian tubes. I also use nasal steroids which also help me clear my nose. Drinking teas or warm beverages help me unclog my ears as well. Hope this helps.

 

[Bob Kinetic]

In response to the fluid in your ears: Several years ago I felt my left Eustachian tube was closed and I had tried that holding the nostrils and attempting to blow air thing which, I have discovered on these forums, is the Valsalva maneuver. I had learned to do that from a doctor years ago but he didn't attach a name to the technique. Well, the ENT did a hearing test and noted my hearing loss was mild to moderate in the left ear and mild in right. I knew I had had hearing loss for years and I had had tinnitus for many years. This ENT said there was no fluid and that there was nothing I could do for the tinnitus or hearing loss other than hearing aids. I went back twice and the hearing was steadily decreasing. I lost faith in this guy.

Three years later I went to another ENT who examined my eardrum and said he thought I had fluid behind the left eardrum. He suggested a myringotomy and a tube. He thought my hearing would be improved and perhaps the tinnitus would not be as noticeable due to hearing ambient sounds better. He found thick fluid, the consistency of motor oil. Once that was sucked out, my hearing improved to the upper realm of moderate in that ear. I still have the tube six months later. Tinnitus is still horrible and spikes daily for no apparent reasons. I am getting hearing aids (probably Signia?) at the advice of that ENT and another ear specialist I visited at Duke.

My point with this long boring post is don't allow fluid to stay put, especially if the Eustachian tubes aren't functioning. Forget doing the Valsalva, in my humble opinion.