Persistent Eustachian tube problems

[NT2020]

Just looking for a bit of guidance...
I’ve been suffering with blocked/stuffy ears for the last 4 months and GPs have seen evidence of fluid behind both eardrums. I’m now really struggling as it’s a huge distraction and seems never ending.

I first developed symptoms at 5 months pregnant and my baby is now 2 weeks old. I have days when my ears are really bad - muffled hearing, sensitivity to sound, alternating with roaring tinnitus. There doesn’t seem to be an obvious trigger, although I had bad nasal congestion and acid reflux in pregnancy.

I was really hoping this was just a weird pregnancy symptom and was relieved when my ears seemed much better for the few days after birth. However, the fullness and blocked sensation is back today.

I’ve tried everything - steaming, Ovotent nasal balloon, steroid nasal spray and saline spray. The GP has advised that I continue with the sprays for the next 3 months, but this feels like a long time with symptoms. Would you push for an ENT referral?

Yes. Definitely. Don’t be fobbed off.

Absolutely push for an ENT referral . I think you you have perservered long enough and you now need more specialist help . Good luck

Following as I have had bouts of this for years. Currently in middle of one and seems to affect balance

Currently going through the same thing, starting to really get me down now. I'm constantly off balance, and my head feels horrible. My doctor didnt want to refer me to an ENT either... she said 'They can't do anything for it' xxx

@Magic1231 That doesn’t sound like a particularly helpful response from the GP! Luckily I haven’t experienced any balance issues so far, but the other symptoms are awful and so difficult to ignore.

I feel like I’ve suffered with nose/sinus issues for years, but never had a problem with my ears before. It’s so odd! I can’t really pinpoint what makes them worse, which makes me sceptical that all of the nasal sprays will work.

@user1470132907 That’s awful that you’ve been suffering for so long. Has the GP given you an indication of a cause?

Grommets could be helpful but you will probably face a bit of a wait, and maybe a challenge getting them to agree in the first place- children get them because they need to listen in school lessons but obviously that's not the case for adults.

ENT referral. Sounds like exactly like patulous Eustachian tube which can develop in pregnancy.

It's nothing to do with congestion which is why the sprays aren't helping.

Whenever I teach about it, no-ones ever heard of it and I see loads of patients with it who have been misdiagnosed.

Try some antihistamine. I've heard this can work for some people. Worth a go?

I have had this problem for years. Bought an 'ear popper' pressurised air - it's like a miracle. Showed my consultant and he agreed it was the way forward. No idea as to why they aren't more popular. One of the best £100 I've ever spent.

@nt2020 I am currently going through the same thing 8 months after having my son. It’s been going on since last summer! Has yours improved?

Might be worth trying the homeopathic remedy pulsatilla. My daughter had glue ear when she was little and I was recommended to try it while she was on the waiting list for grommets.

It may be coincidence, but her glue ear disappeared within a couple of months and she didn't need the grommets.

@Magic1231

Currently going through the same thing, starting to really get me down now. I'm constantly off balance, and my head feels horrible. My doctor didnt want to refer me to an ENT either... she said 'They can't do anything for it' xxx

That’s exactly what my GP said. Still have it plus sinus issues and I’m sick of it. I think I’m going to have to try and pay to see an ENT privately.

I do wonder if my problems are caused/worsened by acid reflux?

@Mehripoop I’m afraid I still have symptoms, although it’s 100 times better than it was. I’m mainly left with a bit of whoosing tinnitus in one ear. I saw the GP a few weeks ago and they said my eardrum is still retracted, so there is something going on. However, they apparently aren’t doing any ENT referrals at the moment.

These are the things that have worked for me - every night I use the Otovent balloon multiple times in each nostril. I then use the Beconase nasal spray and take an antihistamine. I suspect it may be useful to use the spray and balloon in the morning as well, but it’s challenging to fit in around my 2 month old!

I hope you get some relief soon x

@WrongKindOfFace that’s very frustrating. I definitely think acid reflux in pregnancy triggered mine. Have you tried some heavy duty treatment for that to see if it helps?

Mine got better for about a week after I gave birth, so my GP thinks the pushing may have relieved the negative pressure in my ears! Their main suggestion was the otovent balloon to recreate the same pressure!

@Fifthtimelucky sounds interesting. I’ll investigate and add it to the list of random treatments. Thank you.

I also have this and find steam inhalations help with menthol or something similar. Got to do it for at least 10 mins and try twice a day if poss!

Yes I have on and off (they are reluctant to prescribe anything long term) but I need to stop it again so they can check again for h pylori.

Interesting that giving birth helped - although a rather drastic measure!

Ive got a t tube fitted (basically a grommet that doesn't come out) I get the odd bit of fluid c9ne out, especially when I have a cold but its been life changing for me. I'd got to the stage of not going out in groups because I couldn't hear voices if there was any background noise, t tube means my hearing is 90% better.

Good luck! It may do nothing of course. But worth a few quid to try!

hi wondering how your getting on??iv had issues since last feb!it's just getting worse i have the awful balance and blocked feeling in my left eat but been told it's not fluid but inflammation!!i cnt shift it i have sinus pain everydya on my left side and a dizzy feeling comming from my eustachian tube has anyone had this and what helps plz i'm sick of feeling dizzy and congested thanks

@Mummytoallgirls I’m going through the same. Feels like there’s fluid in my head. Have you asked for grommets?

www.boots.com/ear-popper-ear-relief-device-10151691

It really works.

@Mehripoop hey they said there's no fluid it's all inflamtion!i still have it it's making me so off balance

Hi @Mummytoallgirls, @Sa2010 and @Mehripoop. Sorry to hear that you’re all still suffering. I’ve had this since the end of July and am currently managing my symptoms while I wait for an ENT referral. I take piriteze tablets daily and 2 squirts of beconase up each nostril and that seems to help with the inflammation. I think acid reflux plays a big role in my issues, as my ears feel less blocked and more inflamed in recent months. Pregnancy congestion added fluid into the mix last year, which made everything 100 times worse. Part of my worry is what happens when I get pregnant again as I won’t be able to take the steroid spray or antihistamine.