Doug_T

I have been having gradually worsening Ear problems since 1999. Sometimes it feels like fullness in my right ear and sounds, especially when swallowing, like liquid crackling and popping. This is often accompanied by a roaring sound in rhythm with my heartbeat, as if I can hear the blood flowing through my veins. Occasionally the sound is that of my own breathing and voice amplified through my ear. My hearing does not seem to be affected, as was confirmed by an audiogram, but the other symptoms range from annoying to almost debilitating. I have been given decongestants and flonase, but these don't seem to help. An ENT performed a laser myringotomy in 99 but this had no effect on condition. Learned to live with it till now but symptoms are becoming worse. Sometimes eating spicy food seems to relieve symptoms for a while but they always return. Occasionally if I hold my nose and "blow" into my ear I get 4-5 drops of watery mucous run out my nose and then symptoms disappear for a while but cannot duplicate this at will, only works sometimes. I have read some post on this board about patulous eustachian tube. Do my symptoms describe this condition? Any advice, suggestions or comments are appreciated.