Ear blockage turned nightmare

[Tattooedteacher0621]

I don’t know that I’ve picked the right board to post this on but here goes. Around 3 weeks ago I got viral flu. It absolutely knocked me for six, and left me with hearing issues on my right side due to wax impacting.

I went to have microsuction done yday. She did my ‘well’ ear with zero issues. Not the nicest procedure but not painful and totally manageable. Well, I don’t know what happened but when she started my ‘bad’ ear, I started to choke. My windpipe closed, I was coughing up whatever was on my throat, I absolutely could not control that reaction. My arms hurt (like they do when you choke on something) and I had to stop the treatment. I have a cough, and have done since I had the flu and know it’s connected to whatever is going on inside my ear.

The healthcare worker said she’s never seen it happen before. It’s absolutely petrified me. I let her try again because I really wanted to wax oir and my hearing back but it was not possible, it happened again. Furthermore, later that night I coughed (fairly firmly, I’ve done it harder) and I got what I could only describe as 11/10 pain down both my arms. I literally stood up and said ‘f##### h### that really hurt.’

i know we’re not doctors, I am calling mine today, but anyone experienced anything similar? X

The health care worker..,, what was her specialialty? Nurse? Doctor? Specialist? Alternative practitioner?

I have had extensive ear problems and ENT consultant said under no circumstances should I consider micro suction. Ever. My right ear is too fragile as it is a brutal treatment for healthy ears

I don’t ordinarily have ear or wax issues, and my doctor recommended that if drops didn’t work, I had this done xx

Part of an audiology team.

I've had to have syringing etc lots of times because of blocked ears and was always told to wait until any colds/viruses had completely cleared up first as it could be very painful and cause an infection.

Is it definitely wax? I have my ears irrigated / micro suction each year.
One felt completely blocked following a cold and I went fur assessment, and very little wax. Turns out my Eustachian tube was blocked, and it took 8-10 weeks for it unblock.

I definitely wouldn’t have micro-suctioning etc if I had a cold or any other ear pain. I have felt v dizzy immediately following irrigation but nothing like you’ve experienced.
i do hope you get it sorted.

You were referred by your GP?

The fact a supposed professional did this to someone who had just had a very serious ear infection is very concerning

It might not be wax. It clearly didn't agree with you, so don't go trying it again as it could do (far) more harm than good. Push the Dr for a referral to audiology rather than a microsuction service. If you have hearing loss then steroid treatment is the standard to prevent it from becoming permanent and there is a window for it to be effective.

Thank you, they showed me the wax using the machine yday and the GP had said it was. Saying that, as you say, it hasn’t agreed. I have a doctors appt on the 22nd so I’m guessing that treatment will be less effective by then…

I just want this sorting, so so much! X

Was this HCP a referral from your GP?

The GP told me to book in with an audiologist, after a set amount of time of using the drops. I did that. They work for a dedicated centre that deal with ear wax removal, hearing testing etc.
I would have loved an actual ENT referral, but much like GP appts, they are like rocking horse shit.

So somewhere like Specsavers?

Was it definitely impacted wax? Seeing as it coincided with a viral infection I’d say it was more likely to be a blocked eustacian tube causing otitis media, which should most certainly not be micro suctioned!! What qualifications did the practioner have?

No, a company that works purely on ears.

They don’t sound as if they know what they’re doing.

So this was a private HCP, an alternative practitioner, who didn’t have any of your nhs notes.

and decided to give someone with a very recent severe ear infection a BRUTAL procedure?

stick to the medics

I’d happily see a qualified audiologist for such a procedure. The danger with going to a company which specialises in this you have no idea who the individuals are. The company quite possibly train heath care assistant level type people up with a two day course rather than using audiologists who will be more expensive to pay.

Can you pay to see a private ENT? I had something similar and had to go private- 2 appointments at 185 each had me sorted and was the best money I ever spent.

My dh was told to wait 6-8 weeks after an ear infection before having micro suction.

I’ll certainly look into it!