Plugged (fluid) ears, ear pain 4 months!

[Unregistered]

I feel like I'm going to burst. I've been on four different antiobiotics, a steroid pack, Claritin D, nasonex... you name it. Nothing has worked. My CT scan said I had chronic sinusitis (not major) surely from my left deviated setput... resulting in a maxillary infection.. probably causing the fluid/infection in my ears that will NOT go away. But it's not just that! I have literally had stabbing PAIN in my ears whenever I tilt my head (from the fluid, I'm sure) for about 4 months now. Everytime I go to the doctor he just puts me on a new antibiotic. Is this normal????? It's not allergies.... so what now????

[Unregistered]

I don't have a reply, just want to say I am suffering from similar agony.
Severe right ear pain, ear fullness crackling, many months of suffering
7 courses of antibiotics, steriods, all the sprays etc. too - what is going on?

One doctor saw my eustachian tube was swollen, but then it went down.
Still have symptoms. Also have horrid neck pain on same side but not sure its related. CT scan showed blocked right osteomateal complex and CT of spine showed widespread degenerative disease.

I am desperate - last doctor thought it might be neuropathy from virus and put me on Valtrex.

Anyone know what to do- Like the previous poster I am desperate!

Is there some sort of supervirus out there? I am in NJ>

[Unregistered]

No answer . I have same signs ear pain, ringing in ears, no ear infection. MRI negative. Ifyou have an answer plz email with answer teturner@comcast.net

[Unregistered]

I came down with a upper respiratory virus at the end of December. It left me with fluid in the ears. My treatment included a Medrol pack, Rhinocort AQ, Sudafed, antibiotic, and Astelin Spray. Today I went back to ENT. He said there no longer was any fluid in the ears. Yet I am still experiencing a feeling of fullness in the ears at times. Also when I pop my ears, I get a mucus discharge. The ENT said that he thought my symptoms were caused by TMJ and/or allergies. I do have allergic rhinitis, but have never had fullness of the ears as a symptom. I believe that the virus inflamed my Eustachian tubes and the inflammation has not entirely abated. Interestingly I too live in NJ.

[Linda from Kansas]

I've had a plugged ear for over 4 years! I have ringing and a sensation of congestion in my right ear. The ear nose and throat guy always just says I'm clear and that this is just some kind of a muscle spasm pain from going out in cold air. But why the sensation of fullness, the sinus drainage, and the discomfort that spreads down into my shoulder? I've come to believe that it is a combination of sinusitis and the muscle spasm thing. I don't know. One ear nose and throat person wanted to put a tube in my ear--I declined. Maybe it would've helped! I don't like to take sudaphed because it makes my blood pressure go up...any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[Mark in Michigan]

I have it too! For a little over a month. I did a series of Cipro (8 days) and then a Z-Pack (5 days) and it's still there. It actually feels better when I'm outside in the cold. Mine is accompanied by a stomach ache and pain in my neck and shoulders. As well as a cold sweat about my neck. If my doctors (I'm going to two of them) figure it out, I'll let you know. Please do the same.

[Lidge-NJ]

I posted earlier and still have the plugged ear. Both ears crackling-
To the person in NJ - I just went to my 5th! ENT who diagnosed
me with the sameTMJ nonsense- also blamed it on "cervical myalgia" because my neck is stiff on the same side. He sent me for physical therapy! where I was told it was not TMJ. They thought the neck pain came from putting my neck in bad position as a result of the ear pain!

Interested to know what ENT diagnosed TMJ as cause of ear fullness-
was it one of the Drs. from Central Jersey Otolaryngology?

I was told I had an ear/sinus infection for months. Now all of a sudden its TMJ- is this what they are told to tell us if they can' t figure it out?

I discovered I am allergic to outdoor mold and dust mites - anyone else? Never had this plugged ear thing- really had it with condition as well as the ENTs who have no interest in finding out the underlying reason we are suffering with this.

I know the eustachian tube heals slowly. Anyone just have it finally go away after many months ? feeling very hopeless.

[lidge]

Still have the problem and have been offered an ear tube. The ENT said my one ear was hypercompliant from popping it, however, the problem was there
before I started popping it, so I am reluctant to do the tube. Even the dr. said it could make it worse. If anyone knows a doctor that can treat this, please email me a Lcorey@comcast.net.

[Unregistered]

To person who asked about the ENT from NJ, the ENT is from Otolargnogology of Central NJ. I went back to my allergist, she was shocked that the ENT did not even scope the ET when he came up with his diagnosis.

[Lidge]

Hi-

Not sure who replied to this - but yes I went to that group last- My 4th or 5th ENT. They did not scope me either. However, prior to that I saw
another ENT in Monmouth County (Westerman) who did the scope and saw
eustachian tube swollen on the right side where the problem was. Unfortunately, after more steroids, sprays etc. I still have it. I went back and he scoped it again and said the swelling was less.

Unfortunately, he is an older man who no longer does surgery. So, I went to Central Jersey where at first, I was mistakenly told I had TMJ. Then when the physical therapist I went to told the Central Jersey Dr. (Shah) that I didn't have TMJ, he said I could try an ear tube, though it may not work and may make things worse.

My email is Lcorey@comcast.net . I see no sign this is going away and I'm losing my mind. Does anyone know an ENT that has experience with this?
It is so distressing. I would have the tube in minute if I had a better idea that
this was the proper fix.