Cholesteatoma

[Madeahashofit]

I have just got back from my GP, with a week's supply of ear drops and a referral to ENT as she suspects a cholesteatoma. Obviously I have googled and understand that while it's quite rare, its nothing too serious, so I was wondering if anyone had any experience?

Whether ENT do surgery fairly quickly, will hearing loss improve, and whether it will come back!

Thanks in advance

@Madeahashofit Sorry to hear that you’ve got a Cholesteatoma.

I had one 2 years ago. Once I finally got an ENT referral I had the surgery within 3 weeks (much quicker than I expected! And it was just before Christmas, which was a bit crap).

I was in pain for about 5 days, where the side of my head just throbbed and was worse at night because of lying down. I was given ear drops to use to keep the packing inside my ear moist. Had that removed a week after the operation and was told all looked good. The side of my face was swollen for a good few weeks after. I had to inject myself twice a day to prevent blood clots, which to be honest was the worse thing because it stung!

I don’t know whether your hearing loss will improve after the operation but unfortunately mine didn’t. I’ve been monitored since the operation and had CT scans and MRI’s and was all clear. Haven’t been seen this year but am waiting for an appointment.

I hope everything goes OK for you when you get the op. Hope they don’t keep you waiting too long 💐

Thank you @igotdemons for sharing your story. My GP wasn’t 100% it definitely isn’t just wax, hence the drops, but she said to prepare myself.

Glad yours was sorted promptly, but sorry your hearing loss didn’t improve- I think that’s my biggest fear. My balance is really poor at the moment as well - I am hoping that will improve!

@Madeahashofit

You’re welcome ☺️ Your GP is doing the right thing in referring you on now rather than later. Unfortunately my GP didn’t, just kept swabbing and giving me antibiotics. I do wonder if she dithered too long but I’ll never know now (unfortunately I have a very long history of ear problems).

I actually had the same operation 20 years ago on my other ear and the hearing was saved that time thankfully as I can hear much better in that one than the one I had done 2 years ago. At the time my surgeon did some groundbreaking surgery and managed to save my hearing and ever since I’ve had students studying me and a consultant even asked if he could photograph the inside of my ear for a publication! 😁 The more recent operation was done differently though (supposed to be a better way according to my current surgeon but obviously the outcome always depends on the damage done to the ear already etc.). I mention this because that time I had terrible balance problems and remember being in bed for 2 weeks in the dark because every time I moved I vomited! So I do sympathise with what you’re going through.

I hope they don’t keep you waiting too long 💐