I am at my wits end and decided to try something new. For months now i have had this feeling in my ears of being plugged, pressure, pain, crackling sounds 24/7, feels like fluid and at times hearing my own voice. Anyways from my own research i pretty much narrowed it down to ETD (Eustachian tube dysfunction) .

Now I have been seeing an ENT for over 1 year now for this and meds after meds and nothing. MRI resulted that i had Chronic Sinusitus, funny i never have runny noses nor feel congested. So more meds and more sprays.. And still my ears are not any better but actualy seem worse.

So I did some research and some have recomened a herbal preparation called Echinaccea.

Here is a description of what it does: Stimulation of the body’s intrinsic defense in cases of fever and inflammation, postvaccinal encephalitis, influenza, angina, furuncles, abscesses, phlegmons, focal toxicosis, gingivitis, stomatitis, sinusitis, gastroenteritis, enterocolitis, cystitis, pyelitis, colpitis, leucorrhea, adnexitis, glomerulonephritis, fistular suppurations, osteomyelitis, otitis media, chronic cerebral abscess, meningitis, anthrax, carbuncles, mononucleosis, skin diseases, mastitis.


Just wondering if anyone has had any success or know anything more about the above.

In addition I am thinking that i am not going to get no where with my ENT and thought about maybe seeing a Neurotologist, but am wondergin is a neuro the right person to see for my problem?? is my problem considered Middle ear or Inner ear? What does a Neuro usually deal with??

I just can't take it anymore, i have tried every known decongestant to see if helps unblock my ears and nothing.. I just wish i could grab a qtip and get pas the ear drum and clean all the gunk that is behind it as i feel it.... :(

Hey Paul,

I'm new to this bit of the board but have posted in the "hearing disorders" bit. I've something that sounds very similar to your condition, the ETD thing has been with me since summer 04 (pressure changes, stuffed feeling, feeling of fluid in the ears but no sign of it in audiologist findings) but it's slowly decreasing so there is hope. Echinacea might help, but also try Vitamin B and Green Tea (which is high in antioxidants) and also Garlic tablets. Since it started I've had tinnitus with it but the noise level is decreasing as is the pressure change. My ENT guy said that if the ear drum has been effected (pressure change effect could be an indication of that) it may take up to 2 years to rectify naturally, so its a slow, slow process. Keep trying though, I'm proof it does get better.

Tils

I think I have a similar problem. I avoid getting it wet, and that seems to help a lot--use earplugs or cotton around water, and I make certain to dry the ear completely after a shower, swim, etc. As long as it's not wet, it seems to want to start healing. It itches just a bit and any swelling around it goes down. Maybe this would help?

Just wondering about something: if you turned your hair dryer on very, very low and attempted to dry your ear, do you think that wouild help? Or make things worse???

- i would reccomend homeopathy for something like this ... kali bich is what u should be thinking - its primary use is to uncongest ears .

Hey Paul,

I'm new to this bit of the board but have posted in the "hearing disorders" bit. I've something that sounds very similar to your condition, the ETD thing has been with me since summer 04 (pressure changes, stuffed feeling, feeling of fluid in the ears but no sign of it in audiologist findings) but it's slowly decreasing so there is hope. Echinacea might help, but also try Vitamin B and Green Tea (which is high in antioxidants) and also Garlic tablets. Since it started I've had tinnitus with it but the noise level is decreasing as is the pressure change. My ENT guy said that if the ear drum has been effected (pressure change effect could be an indication of that) it may take up to 2 years to rectify naturally, so its a slow, slow process. Keep trying though, I'm proof it does get better.

Tils
Yeah essentially it all started with pressure in the ear which overtime got better, but now i am stuck with this crackling noises and everyone in a while flareups of pressure. I really just wish i could get rid of the fluid feeling that i have inside my ears. I will keep you posted on how Echinacea works out.

I think I have a similar problem. I avoid getting it wet, and that seems to help a lot--use earplugs or cotton around water, and I make certain to dry the ear completely after a shower, swim, etc. As long as it's not wet, it seems to want to start healing. It itches just a bit and any swelling around it goes down. Maybe this would help?

Just wondering about something: if you turned your hair dryer on very, very low and attempted to dry your ear, do you think that wouild help? Or make things worse???

Actually, what i have might be different, it sounds like your problem actualyl occurs on the outter ear, while mine inside behind the ear Drum. Getting it wet or showering or swimming makes no difference. Nor the air dryer as i tried that in the past when this all first started. Because my problem is behind the drum anything that happens to the outside of my ear canal, makes absolutely no diff.

- i would reccomend homeopathy for something like this ... kali bich is what u should be thinking - its primary use is to uncongest ears .

Yes i have decided to take all possible avenues. I am starting with Echinacea and see how that works out. If no luck my next step will be the Hopi Candles i have hear some success stories. I will definately bee looking into homeopathy if the above fail.


Last i was hoping to get some answer on the Neuro Otologist part, does he deal with middle ear problems? Is it someone i should see before trying to take matters into my own hands??

Thank You

I think ENT's are more specialised in inner ear probs than neurotologists - who only really deal with the inner ear.

Echinacea works for me if I get ill but not sure if it would help with ETD. Grommets may do.

xxx

I think ENT's are more specialised in inner ear probs than neurotologists - who only really deal with the inner ear.


Your above quote does not make sense, you say ent's are INNER ear docs and then you say Neurotologists are INNER ear docs as well ??You lost me there.

Essentially what i am wondering is ETD and fluid behind the ear drum considered an issue to be brought up at the ENT or a Neurotologist ??

I have researched Grommets and have looked at that as a last resort, not too keen on having holes in my ear drums.

PAUL

Apologies. Worked from 8am til 1am yest - was tired!

ENT's - middle ear docs. They are the ones to go to for ETD.

Inserting grommets is a v simple procedure.

xxx

PAUL

Apologies. Worked from 8am til 1am yest - was tired!

ENT's - middle ear docs. They are the ones to go to for ETD.

Inserting grommets is a v simple procedure.

xxx

No worries, Ahh, that is the assumption i had as well, Neuros would be more for the inner ear part that look like a snail :) Unfortunately my ENT has not been of much help to me. I keep telling him that my ears bother me and crackle and all he keeps talking to me about is my Sinuses, won't even explain to me why my ears feel like this, i have to reserach everything on the web my self.

Thanx for the information, i should have the Echinacea by Tuesday, and will start taking it then, will report back on the progress of it.

i have to reserach everything on the web my self.

Unfortunately a lot of us have had to do the same. Most of the info I have on my condition came from books/internet.

Good luck with echinacea - currently taking it myself to keep bugs at bay!

xxx