Hello everyone, I have been on these boards countless times trying to see if anyone else has the same problem as me, there are similar situations, but none exactly like mine. Over a year ago, I had a weird feeling around my left ear, I finally went to the Dr. who swore I had allergies, and gave me prescription decongestants. After all of this time, now I'm not so sure...decongestants seem to help some, but the discomfort is always present. My ear does not hurt at all, it is hard to explain, but it just feels weird. This may sound silly, but I can raise my eyebrows and the outside of my ear pops, I can pull on my earlobe, and it pops, the other day I was messing with it like I seem to have a habit of doing, and thought I felt something behind my ear, I could'nt tell if it was a swollen area or a little bb sized knot, I cant seem to find it now though. Ibuprophen helps, and so does chewing gum, the sensation comes and goes throughout the day, but seems to be there most of the time. As I said, there is no pain, it is mostly just a tight..annoying sensation, and the feeling that something is in there. I have out off going back to the Dr. fearing she will tell me the same thing as before. If this is just an allergy, wouldn't this be a problem in both ears? My right ear is normal. Is there anyne else who is experiencing this?? I am at the end of my rope, and starting to believe this may be serious. What exactly is right behind the ear? Could this be some sort of tumor or cyst?? Thanks for your replies.

Is it a crackling sensation when you move your eyebrows up and down?

do you feel like there is something like dry plaque stuck up in your middle-ear space? - trying to caugh it out all the time?
Do you find that you no longer sleep as well as before you had it?

Does it feel worse right before it rains? - when it is raining it feels more inflamed and..like a little worm wiggling inside your ears?


If so then you have EXACTLY the same problem as me. What to try next...

Hairydog.....
YES!! To all! I was reading in anticipation, hoping you would say what the problem was. How long have you had it, and have you been to the DR. for it? Did they tell you it was allergies??

what is a neurotologist. I have been to a neurologist before but never heard of that. I have clogged ears, vertigo and lightheadedness every day now, have tried everyone and everything to help going to another ent on Wednesday hopefully he can help but losing hope. You are not alone I can sympathize . we need help.

I am curious. Your doctor prescribed decongestant for allergies... did he also prescribe an antihistamine like allegra or zyrtec? What about a nasal spray (Nasonex, Flonase, Nasacort)?
If it is allergies decongestants will help congestion drain, but will not lessen the amount of mucus produced due to allergic irritations, an antihistamine and steriodal nasal spray will. I have to use all three daily in hope to stave off a sinus infection for an extra week or two. If you are truely in doubt about allergies, go to an allergist. They can quickly test you and determine if you have allergies or a more annoying condition such as vasomotor rhinitus (sp). V.R. is just an allergic response to pollutants and irritants such as smoke, ozone, smog, etc..
On another note, fluid in the ear is a common allergic response problem, causing pain with pressure and temperature changes. It can alse be the result of enlarged adnoids and tonsils preventing the fluid from draining. There are many causes, but an allergist or ENT would be able to look, test, and tell you what is going on.
Sincerely, MG

Hairydog.....
YES!! To all! I was reading in anticipation, hoping you would say what the problem was. How long have you had it, and have you been to the DR. for it? Did they tell you it was allergies??

You probably read my other posts since you responded to that message.

No sorry I have been waiting since February on the NHS for allergy testing. Apparently though, I read somewhere that as soon as the middle-ear space is infected then it becomes prone to allergies, big time. Especially food is the main thing and I have experimented subtracting different foods from my diet and the only thing that makes it much worse is spicy foods. It will make congestion worse and my mucus thick and pink when I blow my nose. And the insomnia can be 100% after eating certain foods now like chocolate and peanuts. I told the doctor this and he seemed very doubtful because I had no bowel complaints.

So I tried my best to go without wheat, gluten and milk for a good 6 weeks...unsure if I let something else in the diet that shouldn't be during that time. It was very difficut to know what to eat.

I am worried about the long term damage it might do - it can't be doing my neck any good.

HairyDog,
Have you by chance tried some over the counter antihistamines? Benadryl or an equivalet product. It might give you an indication as to whether or not allergies are an irritant in your case. If taking them for a two week period helps, you may have found your trouble maker. A couple of days on allergy medication is not enough to see relief in most cases... the anithistamine needs about a week to build up in your system and be effective. Once again, good luck.
An added thought: It would probably be a good idea for an ETD sufferer to compile a list of treatments and problems for the benefit of all others the suffer from ETD (diagnosed or not). It would be a great source of information like the Tonsil & Adnoid reference revered by so many, and probably generate some much need information in a localized fashion.
MG:)

That's interesting...I am not sure about taking a course of them. I would have to consult my GP. I would take one Piriton Antihistimine before bedtime following a couple of night's bad sleep and it would sedate me. I would blow my nose the next morning and would clear quite a bit of congestion. However, the hang over I get from those makes it very difficult to work, just makes me too drowsy and lethargic.

HairyDog,
There are some antihistamines that are non-drowsy. Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra are all non-drowsy. Claritin is now available over the counter, but Zyrtec and Allegra require a prescription.
MG

I know that OTC allergy meds seem to help me some....I started taking them as a last resort since my PCP swore up and down I had allergies. I also have to take the "non drowsy" type, or I cannot seem to function. In your opinion, since the allergy meds help me, is it a safe bet that is what my problem is? As I said, it comes and goes, but is worse some days than others. I think I could live with this annoyance if I only knew that this is not a "life threatening"thing, as I tend to over-react about every single thing that goes wrong with me.
Take care!

I know that OTC allergy meds seem to help me some....I started taking them as a last resort since my PCP swore up and down I had allergies. I also have to take the "non drowsy" type, or I cannot seem to function. In your opinion, since the allergy meds help me, is it a safe bet that is what my problem is?
"I would be hestitant to say that is your only problem, but it can be a major one."

As I said, it comes and goes, but is worse some days than others.
"Have you checked pollen counts on the days that are worse for you? Do so, and make a log. If high pollen counts correspond to bad days then, yes, allergies are highly probable. Also check pollution/ozone alerts and pressure fronts. If bad days correspond to bad pollution/ozone days and weather shifts there is a high probability that you may have vasomotor rhinitus (sp)... an allergic response to irritants and pollutants. This is treated just like allergies, except there is no shot option."

I think I could live with this annoyance if I only knew that this is not a "life threatening"thing, as I tend to over-react about every single thing that goes wrong with me.
Take care!
Good luck and keep you spirits up.
Sincerely, MG