View Full Version : Eustachian Tube Dysfunction causing severe pain?? so worried, can't find any info
Hello,
I made a post about a week ago about about ear pain that I had developed in both ears. This pain is moderate-severe and mostly constant. I also have some ringing in both ears and every once in a while I feel some pressure. But mostly just terrible pain. I went to an urgent care doc who said he didn't see an infection but gave me antibiotics anyway. These didn't help so I went to my primary care doc yesterday who was convinced it was Eustachian tube dysfunction/inflammation caused by a viral infection (I've had mild congestion but otherwise haven't been that sick) and told me it should go away in 1-3 weeks.
However, when I look up Eustachian tube dysfunction everyone talks about hearing loss and a feeling of fullness in the ear - which I have none of - and barely mention pain - which is my primary symptom and is just awful. Anyone with experience with this, or anything who can make me feel better? Waiting this out is seriously no fun, especially when I'm not even convinced about what I have. I just feel crazy.
I've had that before. That's why I responded to your post the last time.
Again, they gave me the analgesic ear drops. Did you ask for anything for the pain?
You had the same extreme pain with Eustachian tube distinction without infection? My doc said that no drops would help because it's all in my middle ear, not the outside. She said Tylenol and Advil only
I had an infection with mine. And I had hearing loss for about a week.
I've also had bad ear pain with sinus infections and ear infections. I've had bad sinus issues since I was a kid. I have a deviated septum.
They are benzocaine-otic ear drops, and they sure take the pain away for me.
I'm sorry to hear about those ear problems :(. I'm just worried because my ear pain isn't from infection and it isn't from sinus issues (I don't have any) so I don't know what is causing it
Well the likelihood that it's anything else than what the doctor said is very low.
If I were you, I'd ask for the ear drops, and then wait 3 weeks. If you still have issues after 3 weeks, then you need to follow up.
Like I told you before, the problem is not in my outer ear so drops aren't going to work.
Does anyone else have experience with ear pain like this?
Eustacian tube dysfunction is the first step to an ear infection. If it isn't opening properly, pressure isn't equalizing in your ear on either side of the tympanic membrane (ear drum). This will cause negative pressure and yes, pain. Eventually this leads to your inner ear secreting mucous, which then can become infection.
Viral infections (like a cold) can definitely cause this because it messes up the way the tube opens. This is also why children get more ear infections - their tubes are not properly developed and don't always open the way they should.
It's painful and no fun, but totally possible to have the symptoms you are describing. I'd definitely stay on top of it and go back in in a week or two if it doesn't get any better just to make sure that it hasn't progressed to infection.
Thanks Poppy,
It's nice to know that at least these symptoms are at least possibility, as pain hasn't really been presented as an options. It's just been draining to have such constant, strong ear pain and otherwise feel pretty okay. Popping my ears is possible and doesn't really change anything. I just really want this to get better, and it's hard to believe the doctor that it's going to because I don't quite believe the diagnosis. Thank you for the information and suggestion :)
Thanks Poppy,
It's nice to know that at least these symptoms are at least possibility, as pain hasn't really been presented as an options. It's just been draining to have such constant, strong ear pain and otherwise feel pretty okay. Popping my ears is possible and doesn't really change anything. I just really want this to get better, and it's hard to believe the doctor that it's going to because I don't quite believe the diagnosis. Thank you for the information and suggestion :)
Sure :D My first undergrad degree was in speech pathology and we learned a LOT about ear infections in my audiology courses. Even had to write an essay about the entire process. Fun! Haha.
When you're in the thick of illness, it's hard to believe it will ever get better. It will, trust me. For now, do what you can to manage the pain.
Very cool! :)
Yeah, 9 days into this ear pain and it's hard to believe it will ever go away. But all I get do is try to get through it, I guess.
Hi everyone,
I'm sorry because I made a post on this already, but I didn't get many responses and this problem is continuing/consuming my life (both the pain and the worry).
12 days ago I started getting worsening ear pain in both ears. I've also had ringing in both, but I can only hear that when it's quiet around. The pain is very intense and constant. I went to an urgent care doc who threw antibiotics at me, which didn't work, and then to my primary care doc who said it was likely inflammation in my Eustachian tube/middle ear from a virus. That was a week ago. I've been taking the antibiotics still, and nasal steroid spray, and I feel like maybe the pain is a little better, but it's also hard to tell and it's still very constant and I'm terrified of it getting worse again or staying at this level and it's just awful awful.
When I try to find information about this condition online I can't find anything that fits my condition well - usually in problems with the Eustachian tube people complain about reduced hearing and feelings of fullness in their ear, which I don't have.
I guess I'm looking for reassurance that this pain will end, or that my condition is what my doctor said, since I can't find anything about it and everything hurts and I'm trying to live my life as normal but this is all I can think about. I'm freaked out and this sucks.
nomorepanic
11-12-17, 01:10
threads merged
So I feel like the pain has gotten better, but I'm still having it (just milder, but still constant and annoying). But I'm also getting a weird sensation, like before you get chills. I think maybe it's related to the ears. I'm still super stressed and worried about the awful pain returning or my pain not getting any better from here :(. I know it's not rational to feel like I'm always going to feel this way, but it's been months since I felt like myself and this is really really not helping.
Any responses really appreciated
Have you considered seeing an ear, nose, and throat doctor? They may be able to better help you identify what is going on.
With your other feelings, it sounds like it could very well just be a virus, but I'm sure it's uncomfortable anyway.
I have an ENT appointment set for Friday as a a backup that I wasn't hoping not to have to go to, but probably will. It's very uncomfortable and distracting and unsettling and nothing seems to make it better, which is what is concerning me most, especially because it's now been two weeks and I don't have the classic symptoms of what I was previously diagnosed with. I'm just worried the ENT will say the same thing and I will continue to have no relief.
I thought my ears might be getting better, but the pain today is worse than yesterday. I am totally mentally exhausted and do not believe I will ever be pain-free again. It's so difficult to do any task with this pain.
Both my ears still hurt a lot, trying to make it through to my ENT appointment on Friday. But this sucks. I haven't been able to get myself to workout and getting out of bed is almost impossible and it's the only thing I can think about since the pain is there all the time.
As an update, I saw an ENT NP this morning, who thinks my pain is from TMJ. She said that my ears look "textbook" normal. I considered this diagnosis earlier but didn't have any jaw pain for the first 10 days of my symptoms so didn't think it was likely. However, a few days ago I woke up with crazy jaw pain that I attributed to popping my jaw while trying to open my Eustachian tubes. But I guess at first all of my pain was concentrated to the nerves deep in my ear? This seems like a more likely explanation to me than before. I'd love to hear from anyone with experience in this!
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