Eustachian tube problems with severe dizziness

dbarr908

For the past several years, I have had nasal allergies and use Allegra (daily) and Flonase (occasionally, since it sometimes causes nosebleeds). I have had occasional ear & sinus infections, but nothing that a round of antibiotics couldn't relieve. A few years ago, my left eustachian tube felt full for about 6 weeks and went away on its on (no dizziness at that time, just constant feeling of fullness and muffled noise). However, about 3 months ago, I developed a significant feeling of fullness and constant muffling noise in my left ear. While I was sitting at work, I began to feel very dizzy. I managed to drive myself home and saw the doctor that evening. I was prescribed antiobiotics and a 4-day round of prednisone. A few days after finishing the prednisone, the dizziness started to come back. I then received a 7-day dose of prednisone (you take several pills over the course of the first day, and the dosage gradually tapers off each day). Before I even completed the full 7 days, the dizziness came back again. My third course of prednisone was prescribed for 10 days, which finally relieved my problems for the past few months. Unfortunately, this past weekend my eustachian tube became clogged again. The following evening, right before I went to bed, I became extremely dizzy and felt worse when I tried to lie down. Within an hour I was vomiting. Yesterday I went back on yet another 10-day course of prednisone. I asked the doctor if a referral to an ENT was advisable at this point. She said that since it had been several months since my last incident, she did not think it was necessary yet, but that she would give me a referral if the dizziness comes back after completing the meds. I have a pretty strong feeling that it will, since my allergies get pretty bad in late summer with ragweed. The prednisone seems to be a temporary fix, but what can I do to prevent the dizziness and accompanying nausea? When the dizziness hits, it comes on very suddenly. I feel like I will need to race to the doctor every time my ear just slightly starts to feel stuffy, to avoid the more serious problems that interfere with my job and my family. Has anyone else had similar problems, and what treatments have worked?