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[HelloSam666]

Hi everyone,

I currently have a problem with my ear in that it's constantly blocking, sometimes all day. It's the same sensation when flying & you need to hold & blow your nose to try and clear it. I've seen a nurse twice now as this problem started before Christmas and hasn't resolved itself. One morning as i got out of bed, i was so dizzy with it, i couldn't walk properly. I have  been prescribed a steroid nasal spray - didn't work and latterly, Amoxicillin, although i stopped this after 3 days as it made me feel awful.

Has anyone had this issue and is there anything that worked or is it a case of letting sort itself out? I know it's not the most serious of health issues but it's really dragging on and impeding on day to day life at times.

Thank you, Sam

[sheila99]

If you have a bad reaction to amoxillin I'd ask for an alternative. If you're getting dizzy it may have spread to the inner ear so IMO needs treating ASAP. I have permanent inner ear damage and still have spells of dizziness from an infection years ago. Mine started as a cold not eustachian problem though.

[HelloSam666]

Hi Sheila, thanks very much. Luckily I only had the dizzy spell once which is what prompted me to ring the surgery. I did have a minor bug before Christmas and the nurse thinks it stemmed from there and it's causing the dysfunction in that area of the ear. To be honest, at first she didnt want to treat it all and suggested it was a wait & see scenario 

I'm off to see the doctor tomorrow re menopause but will mention this and see what she says, maybe an alternative antibiotic might do the trick. I never thought of that.

[CLKD]

As oestrogen levels drop so the Eustachian tubes may narrow.  Not many surgeries are doing wax removal.  Apparently. 1 now has to seek private treatment  though recommended by surgeries 

[HelloSam666]

At least i can cross wax being the culprit as the nurse said my ears were sparkling clean - i wanted a gold star for that comment  .

In terms of menopausal symptoms all is okay at the moment but does that not mean oestrogen can still affect our ears? I was told it was from when i had a short virus.

Thanks Sam

[CLKD]

It mayB that the medics aren't aware that loss of oestrogen can cause ear problems 

[getting_old]

I have this as a result of surgery. I do a lot of exercises based on a couple of Youtube videos. They haven't fixed it but have helped. Hope this is the right way to post a link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-SZ1r1dnho

[HelloSam666]

Thanks so much for this, I wasn't aware of any exercises that could be done to help this problem. I've just run through the exercises in the video and will continue with it and see how how i get on.

[HelloSam666]

Just an update, the doctor today has prescribed Avamys nasal steroid spray - it looks like a stronger spray than the one I had originally tried.

Anyway, i'll give it a go but combine it with the exercises on the Youtube video - thank you getting-old.

 Sam

[losttheplot]

Just an update, the doctor today has prescribed Avamys nasal steroid spray - it looks like a stronger spray than the one I had originally tried.

Anyway, i'll give it a go but combine it with the exercises on the Youtube video - thank you getting-old.

 Sam

If you haven't been told already.... you need to bend over when using nasal sprays. Bend forward and aim the spray to the back of your nose.
Have also tried steaming? You can get steamimg cups, they look a bit like toddlers cups but with an attachment. It may help 

[HelloSam666]

Thank you Losttheplot that's very helpful as the GP never mentioned this nor is it in the instructions. I'll start tomorrow as i've done today's spray. I hope with all these actions i start seeing an improvement soon 

[CrispyChick]

Sam. You need a little balloon utensil called otovent.  Google it. Works brilliantly for clearing the tubes.

As hormones have been mentioned, I will say, my initial peri symptoms started with  vertigo and blocked ear! Now I just get full ears. For me, it's too much estrogen.

[HelloSam666]

well that's a new one for me too Crispy thank you. So glad i posted this symptom now, feel more positive i'll get it sorted.  Just had a look, i guess it's a similar thing to holding your nose and blowing but in a safe way. When it first happened to me, i held my nose and put my hand over the un-blocked ear and blew so hard i burst a blood vessel in my eye. That was frightening!

Coincidentally, i'd started using the estradial / estriol cream in the morning as well as evening - not even sure why i did that but it absolutely coincides with getting this ear problem. Now might be a coincidence but does make me think. I'm stopping that today and going back to just 1 evening dose with the progesterone.

[CLKD]

Never put anything larger than the little finger in the ear!

All those exercises on the link I do anyway  . 

[CrispyChick]

Glad I could be of help.

Unfortunstely, with everything at this stage in life, it's best to at least consider hormones.

Yes, the otovent is a gentle way of doing just that. Burst blood vessel sounds horrible.  . I take the otovent when flying now. Works a treat!

CLKD - the otovent does not go in the ear - in case you were thinking that, and, rightly so, horrified by the thought.  . Its a little thing you attach a balloon to. Then you blow it up through your nose, which gently opens the ear tubes.