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Original poster

Help! Adult glue ear?

26 replies

fengirl1 · 09/07/2013 20:33

Just that really- or maybe not.
Back story: about seven weeks I had a cold, which then turned into a nasty cough. My left ear also felt 'full' at this point. I went to dr who prescribed antibiotics for chest infection.
Two weeks later, my ear still hasn't cleared and I was producing green snot (sorry!) from right side of my nose but left side totally blocked...
The only person who was available was a nurse, who prescribed a two week course of antibiotics. By this point, I was obviously deaf in my left ear (with a nice dose of earache here and there). Ten days in, it started to clear, but after a week (three days after finishing abs), it started to fill again.
I've been back today and seen a dr who said no more abs as I've already had three weeks, and that I'm being referred to ENT as my ear is so inflamed.... The only thing I can try in the meantime is anti-inflammatories.
The problem is, I need this ear as I already have Eustachian tube dysfunction in the other ear which causes permanent tinnitus and intermittent deafness.
Anyone out there with any experience? It's driving me mad, and making me feel low as I feel so cut off when I can't hear.
Thanks for reading, it got a bit long! Smile

OP posts:
lilyliz · 09/07/2013 20:50

had this a few times and doc gives me otomise ear spray which does the trick,its a tiny bottle with a bit on the top like a perfume bottle and you just put it in your ear and press down and in goes the spray.Hope this helps you more nagging pain than toothache

Original poster
fengirl1 · 09/07/2013 21:20

Thanks - I will look otomise up. The problem for now is the fluid behind my ear drum. Dr said my ear looked very inflamed...

OP posts:
Original poster
fengirl1 · 09/07/2013 21:22

Have had a look and otomize is not the answer - there is no infection in the outer ear. Anyone with any other ideas?

OP posts:
timidviper · 09/07/2013 21:35

I don't think otomize would help I'm afraid as it can only reach areas outside of the eardrum but it sounds like your problem is on the inside. Presumably there is a blockage in the eustachian tube so the fluid is building up inside the middle ear.

I had something similar many years ago, bad enough that I was threatened with grommets, and was advised anti-inflammatories. I was also advised to use a decongestant nasal drop two or three times a day and stay lying down with my head tilted back for a few minutes after using to allow it to stay in contact with the area near the nose and throat end of the eustachian tube rather than it drain away instantly. I also took homeopathic pulsatilla tablets, I was desperate enough to try anything! Something worked but I don't know which or if it was coincidence.

Original poster
fengirl1 · 09/07/2013 21:42

Thanks tv. Gp had no advice but the anti-inflammatories. She didn't seem to know what to do. I asked about the otovent device but she wouldn't commit herself as she didn't know enough. I don't really want another operation (I had two with 19 weeks off work last year with gynae issues) but I'm as desperate as you were. (I'd have even be happy if she'd offered to pierce my eardrum for me.)

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Lovemynailstoday · 10/07/2013 16:36

Just to say that grommet insertion is nothing to fear. I had it done as a simple out patient procedure (for a different problem). Would not really describe it as an "operation"....I was in and out in half an hour. Sounds like you need referred to ENT.

Original poster
fengirl1 · 10/07/2013 20:09

I can live with the grommets if that's what needs to happen. Smile BUT if there's something I can do in the meantime, I'd like to know - its making me miserable (I like a bit of a singalong but can't now as I sound worse than usualBlush), my balance is a bit dodgy and I feel dreadful.

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Original poster
fengirl1 · 11/07/2013 11:51

Just bumping this up the list as I've had to come home from work (currently waiting for gp to phone me). My balance has got so bad that I can't walk more than five steps without needing to stop as I'm so dizzy. I drove home VERY carefully....

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jasperc163 · 12/07/2013 08:35

I have fluid in both eats, no idea why as no obvious cause, though I also have swollen glands. gp told me to squirt beconase up my nose twice a day to reduce inflammation in eustachian tubes and encourage drainage. no idea if it will help and may take 2 to 3 weeks apparently.

Original poster
fengirl1 · 17/07/2013 16:46

Just coming back to say things got really bad after my post last week as I lost my sense of balance (ended up crying at workBlush) and had to get buccastem.
I went back to work yesterday, but ear and sinus are still blocked most of the time (I do get occasions of ear clearing and hearing back for about half an hour, then it goes again).
I've been using beconase spray, which seems to damp things down a bit. It's another month until I have a hospital appointment though!
I'm just wondering if anyone has had this for so long? If you did, what happened in the end? (It's been seven weeks now.)
Sorry for the long post!

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oohdaddypig · 20/07/2013 21:33

Have you tried otovent? Can buy OTC from boots. It's a balloon thing you use with each nostril, the pressure of which pushes the fluid out the ear. Worth a shot?

HansieMom · 21/07/2013 03:01

Do you think the neti pot would help? You mentioned sinuses and it definitely helps clear those.

Original poster
fengirl1 · 21/07/2013 10:44

I've got otovent and a sinus rinse bottle. I was using them (they weren't making a huge difference tbh, the bottle cleared sinuses only temporarily and otovent just seemed to push the gunk further in). I stopped a while ago as I'm very worried about doing damage with pressure changes (foolishly probably), but as I have Eustachian tube dysfunction and tinnitus in the other ear I need this one to get better!

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oohdaddypig · 21/07/2013 11:12

What about completely stopping dairy for a few weeks? I know docs say there isn't enough evidence to support it, but it works for some people.

Also could you afford to see an osteopath?

Original poster
fengirl1 · 13/08/2013 20:39

Just coming back to say I had a hospital appointment today and I'm having a sinus rinse and grommets.... Anyone with experience, especially the sinus washout??? Thanks. Smile

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Original poster
fengirl1 · 23/08/2013 22:11

Just bumping this one up too. I need shooting don't I? Grin

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willitbe · 23/08/2013 22:25

Have you got long to wait til op? If so you could ask about trying prednisolone. It helped my sinus issue, by opening up the airways better. I also get regular eustation tube dysfunction, have you tried it otravine decongestant nasal spray? It should not been used too long as it can make it worse, but can give great short term relief.

Hopefully you will not have to wait too long for the op.

Original poster
fengirl1 · 23/08/2013 23:36

willitbe, I tried beconase for a fortnight with no noticeable difference. I've also tried decongestant tablets and sprays. The consultant told me all I could do (I asked) in the meantime was use a sinus rinse bottle. Nothing comes out! I just hope I get my hearing back and better balance....

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Original poster
fengirl1 · 23/08/2013 23:37

Sorry Blush I'm having the op sep 16th as they thankfully viewed it as fairly urgent.

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willitbe · 26/08/2013 16:27

I am glad to hear the op is not too far away. I am resorting to prednisolone again today as I hate the blocked up feeling, so I can sympathise with you at the moment. I hope you manage to distract yourself til the 16th. At least you know you will feel better afterwards.

willitbe · 26/08/2013 16:28

Beconase never did anything for me either!

mineofuselessinformation · 30/08/2013 18:13

I'm really hoping the next two weeks go quickly - the last few days have been thoroughly miserable. Hmm

Nadalsballs · 30/08/2013 22:03

I really feel for you. I had glue ear which caused severe tinnitus in one ear for nearly 7 months at the end of last year/ start of this. I got it after having a very mild cold.

It eventually just cleared up on its own. It was such a relief when it finally went but now I'm terrified every time I get a snuffle and I regularly find that my ears feel inflamed and blocked.

I was told to inhale steam as much as possible.

Out of interest, what anti inflammatories have you been recommended?

mineofuselessinformation · 17/09/2013 22:30

Just resurrecting this to ask if anyone had grommets and then had really weird noises in their ears (like a steam train, I know it's my heartbeat) and still could feel pressure afterwards? It was done yesterday so I know early days and things are still settling.....

Candlefire · 18/09/2013 12:51

Yes, it is early days. I was told to give grommets 2 weeks to settle. I get odd noises in my ears anyway due to Meniere's. The grommet helped my condition, though. Just a bit of a pain always keeping it dry in shower, hairdresser etc.