HELP! Constant ear pressure ear clogging ear fullness after rhinoplasty / nose job
A year ago I had a rhinoplasty
Ever since then I've a had intense ear pressure in both my ears equally.
I've been to dozens of ENTs and plastic surgeons and the Mayo clinic.
None of the idiots can figure out what's wrong with me.
I finally found a dr who has some insight into what's going on, and can at least alleviate some of the symptoms
The rhinoplasty destroyed my ability to breathe. We (my current dr & I) thought my breathing was so impaired that it was causing my dysfunction. I had a corrective rhinoplasty largely fixing my breathing.
My ears were improved a little, but not much. Considering my breathing was so improved, it seems my inability to breathe was just aggravating my ear condition not causing it.
So what's wrong with me?
Now the theory is my Eustachian tubes were scarred during my original rhinoplasty.
I am about to get a second surgery to improve my breathing even more.After that I'm going to be using balloons to stretch out my Eustachian tubes.
My question to you people is, how could have my Eustachian tubes been scarred during the first operation (from an anatomical perspective)?
Have you ever heard of anything like this?
My ent has recommended balloons to stretch out my Eustachian tubes? Have any of you had this?
this is a horribly debilitating condition! Any advice would be appreciated.
Ever since then I've a had intense ear pressure in both my ears equally.
I've been to dozens of ENTs and plastic surgeons and the Mayo clinic.
None of the idiots can figure out what's wrong with me.
The rhinoplasty destroyed my ability to breathe. We (my current dr & I) thought my breathing was so impaired that it was causing my dysfunction. I had a corrective rhinoplasty largely fixing my breathing.
My ears were improved a little, but not much. Considering my breathing was so improved, it seems my inability to breathe was just aggravating my ear condition not causing it.
So what's wrong with me?
Could it be nerve damage, do you think????? Ever heard of anything like this?
Re: HELP! Constant ear pressure ear clogging ear fullness after rhinoplasty / nose j
Quote:
Originally Posted by EarPressure
A year ago I had a rhinoplasty
Ever since then I've a had intense ear pressure in both my ears equally.
I've been to dozens of ENTs and plastic surgeons and the Mayo clinic.
None of the idiots can figure out what's wrong with me.
I finally found a dr who has some insight into what's going on, and can at least alleviate some of the symptoms
The rhinoplasty destroyed my ability to breathe. We (my current dr & I) thought my breathing was so impaired that it was causing my dysfunction. I had a corrective rhinoplasty largely fixing my breathing.
My ears were improved a little, but not much. Considering my breathing was so improved, it seems my inability to breathe was just aggravating my ear condition not causing it.
So what's wrong with me?
Now the theory is my Eustachian tubes were scarred during my original rhinoplasty.
I am about to get a second surgery to improve my breathing even more.After that I'm going to be using balloons to stretch out my Eustachian tubes.
My question to you people is, how could have my Eustachian tubes been scarred during the first operation (from an anatomical perspective)?
Have you ever heard of anything like this?
My ent has recommended balloons to stretch out my Eustachian tubes? Have any of you had this?
this is a horribly debilitating condition! Any advice would be appreciated.
I had upper and lower jaw surgery over 3 years ago and since then I've had Eustachian tube dysfunction. Originally the doctor thought my tube was inflammed from the surgery, obviously that is no longer the case. Had a CT scan and my ENT (as well as others) have no course of action on repairing it. So I've had a tube in my left ear for over 3 years now. It relives the pressure, which as you know is very painful, especially when you fly, so its good in that regard. However, the tube is only temporary and can get clogged fairly easily, least for me. You can get molded ear plugs that allow swimming, they work ok, I would not recommend swimming in a pool with cholrine, you get that in your ear and you will regret it for a week! It's a hassle for sure, but what's the alternative?
The tube will relive the pressure that is for certain. Hopefully for you they can repair your Eustachian tubes and this will only be temporary. I would be VERY interested to know if the ballon treatment works, please post a reply when you get that done.
Nerve damage is certainly a possibility, especially if the rhinoplasty was complicated, but it seems less likely than problems attributable to your sinuses, eustachian tubes, and other related structures. The first thing that came to my mind was infection, but I'd have to expect doctors have tried to rule that out. Another possibility is that the first rhinoplasty induced damage to your inner ear because of chronically elevated eustachian tube pressure or fluid accumulation. Some of the damage from chronic conditions like that don't show up in MRIs, CTs, or other imaging studies.
If you haven't already done so, try searching the Internet for "ear pressure after rhinoplasty." Your experience is not as uncommon as you might have thought, and maybe someone else has tried something your doctors haven't considered (or perhaps a particular therapy needs to be repeated.)
Does anything at all help, like inhalers, a hot shower, lying in a particular position? For that matter, are there certain things that seem to aggravate the pressure?
I seem to remember watching a television program about a similar problem, and the condition was caused by an infection or other problem of the lining of the auditory tract, resulting in damage to the cilia (the hairs that project inward throughout the lining.) I don't remember how the condition was treated, but for some reason I seem to recall the use of an oral antifungal and oral steroid like prednisone. It might be worth asking your doctors about this possibility. I wish you all the best of luck, and please let us know if anything helps you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ear Pressure 2
Hi.
Could my symptoms be nerve damage?
Over A year ago I had a rhinoplasty
Ever since then I've a had intense ear pressure in both my ears equally.
I've been to dozens of ENTs and plastic surgeons and the Mayo clinic.
None of the idiots can figure out what's wrong with me.
The rhinoplasty destroyed my ability to breathe. We (my current dr & I) thought my breathing was so impaired that it was causing my dysfunction. I had a corrective rhinoplasty largely fixing my breathing.
My ears were improved a little, but not much. Considering my breathing was so improved, it seems my inability to breathe was just aggravating my ear condition not causing it.
So what's wrong with me?
Could it be nerve damage, do you think????? Ever heard of anything like this?
Re: HELP! Constant ear pressure ear clogging ear fullness after rhinoplasty / nose j
Hi,
thanks for your replies. This is the op
Quote:
I had upper and lower jaw surgery over 3 years ago and since then I've had Eustachian tube dysfunction. Originally the doctor thought my tube was inflammed from the surgery, obviously that is no longer the case. Had a CT scan and my ENT (as well as others) have no course of action on repairing it. So I've had a tube in my left ear for over 3 years now. It relives the pressure, which as you know is very painful, especially when you fly, so its good in that regard. However, the tube is only temporary and can get clogged fairly easily, least for me. You can get molded ear plugs that allow swimming, they work ok, I would not recommend swimming in a pool with cholrine, you get that in your ear and you will regret it for a week! It's a hassle for sure, but what's the alternative?
I believe I had tubes and they did not help. What is the name of the dr that put in your tubes? I will keep you posted about how this develops.
Quote:
I seem to remember watching a television program about a similar problem, and the condition was caused by an infection or other problem of the lining of the auditory tract, resulting in damage to the cilia (the hairs that project inward throughout the lining.) I don't remember how the condition was treated, but for some reason I seem to recall the use of an oral antifungal and oral steroid like prednisone. It might be worth asking your doctors about this possibility. I wish you all the best of luck, and please let us know if anything helps you.
Thanks. I actually have found other people with my problem. And no one knows how to fix it.
Do you know exactly how cilia damage could cause a feeling of ear pressure?
Can you recommend any Dr.s that could help me?
I am somewhat sure I have already been put on a anti-fungal steroid. It didn't work. But it cant hurt to try it again, though I wonder how that could have been caused by a surgery? Any other advice you have is welcome
Re: HELP! Constant ear pressure ear clogging ear fullness after rhinoplasty / nose j
Infection is a possible complication after any surgical procedure, no matter how sterile the tools are. Surgeons (or nurses, generally) wash the area to be opened with an antibacterial (something like betadine,) and all operating tools are sterilized, but bacteria and spores from mold or fungus are always nearby. Most post-op infections show up quickly and are treated very quickly, but some infections are hard to fight. Hospitals in particular tend to have some of the nastiest bacteria around, oddly enough because their sterilization procedures tend to produce bacterial strains that are highly resistant to treatment. Although these "super bugs" are rare, they can be really nasty to deal with (both for the patient and medical staff.)
I don't have any doctor recommendations for you, but your ENT specialist ought to be able to refer you to an epidemiologist or other infectious disease specialist to see if that is your problem.
As far as the damaged cilia creating the "stuffiness," I suppose your body might not be able to tell the difference between damaged cilia and cilia that are sluggish or nonresponsive due to chronic congestion. I haven't seen much detailed explanations of the problem (and the few papers I've read about it were WAY over my head!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by EarPressures
Hi,
thanks for your replies. This is the op
I believe I had tubes and they did not help. What is the name of the dr that put in your tubes? I will keep you posted about how this develops.
Thanks. I actually have found other people with my problem. And no one knows how to fix it.
Do you know exactly how cilia damage could cause a feeling of ear pressure?
Can you recommend any Dr.s that could help me?
I am somewhat sure I have already been put on a anti-fungal steroid. It didn't work. But it cant hurt to try it again, though I wonder how that could have been caused by a surgery? Any other advice you have is welcome
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Re: HELP! Constant ear pressure ear clogging ear fullness after rhinoplasty / nose j
I am a meniere patient since 18 years,,had this year two attacks ,one of them was very agressive and the other one was mild compared the first one,definetly I have reached a conclusion that there is no any medication which cure meniere! but at least if any body can guide me how I can get rid of the ear fullness, I will be really greatfull,as am living with ear fullness all the time and hearing loss consequences!
Re: HELP! Constant ear pressure ear clogging ear fullness after rhinoplasty / nose j
Yes i had this surgery called Eustachian Tube Dilation in July. I just posted yesterday about it. Its very new but it worked for me. I too had sinus surgery 3 yrs ago-my only symptom was a bad smell (the infection). I came out of surgery with severe pain behind my nose and the feeling of water in my head all the time. My ears constantly clicked when i swallowed. I flew to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and they had no answer, so i understand your frustration. My tubes got irritated and swelled up when i had my sinus surgery. The problem is once they stop working for a long period of time, ( 3 yrs for me), the muscles that open and close your tubes can stop functioning. Once my tubes were dilated my muscles began to open and close again. If your dr is wanting to try ET dilation, i would definitely give it a try. It's painless and the minute you wake up you should know if the problem is fixed. It was life changing for me. Good luck!
