I HAVE HEALTH ANXIETY...eustachisn tube dysfunction diagnosis but my symptoms are making my mind think it could be something sinister.

[EmaLu]

Anyone else had eustachisn tube dysfunction. I was diagnosed a few weeks ago doctor said it’s the result of a viral I had in January. My symptoms haven’t gone, I get a sore popping left ear, when my ears at its worst I feel like I have a lump in my throat to the left when swallowing (no physical lump to touch) also I have like a tight feeling under my chin that runs along left side of my jaw. Now with my health anxiety I Zone in and I am aware of the slightest unusual feeling in my body I’m not really in pain unless my ear flares up but when do I address the anxiety rather than the cause because I have to wait two weeks for doctors appointment but my anxiety is making me ill with fear. I did what I know I’m not supposed to do and googled and of cause I’ve come to the conclusion it’s cancer or at least my anxiety has. I get over one thing and then there’s another I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.

I have this, and tbh, it's only really noticeable when I fly (can't get me ears to pop, and they really hurt). I take decongestant tablets for 24 hour before a flight (try and get ones without caffeine ideally), and my ears pop OK. I was also advised to use beconase spray daily (I get a generic version), and do my best to avoid colds, as they'd probably hit my "tubes" a bit harder than most people.

Are you getting help with your health anxietythough? That probably is more pressing that the eustascian (sp?) tube stuff, from how you sound?

Hi thanks for replying yes I’ve had ongoing help for my anxiety I’ve pretty much had it under control for over a year now going to the gym helped massively better than medication CBT and counselling thought I’d cracked it but this thing with my ear has made it rear it’s ugly head. I’m not in that much pain even at its worst but it’s the unusual sensations I can’t tolerate sets my anxiety off really bad. My anxiety can cause psycosymtomatic symptoms (basically real pain/feelings that I’ve induced myself) do my focus on what ever is going on with my ear will make it worse it’s a vicious cycle. Do my symptoms sound similiar to yours?

Ooh also in the summer last year I went on the waltzers with my eldest son under duress as I hate them and they make me feel sick, afterwards I was sick and dizzy for weeks had to take motion sickness tablets so I’m thinking maybe something with my inner ear or drum. Sometimes if I push on the opening of my ear it’s tender.

Could you ask for an ENT referral? ETD is quite complex and there are various solutions depending on the dysfunction. I've had loads of problems with it and it can cause horrible anxiety. If you can separate the anxiety and treat that in the meantime, that would help. Nasal steroid sprays can be very helpful and there is also a little machine called an ear piper which makes your ear pop and help to relieve pressure ( ridiculously expensive but works - you can get them from Boots). It WILL get better in time but as you say it's hard not to focus on it especially when you're anxious. Hope you get some help soon.