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I've resisted posting anything about a physical disorder I was recently diagnosed with, but as there might be someone who could benefit from my experience...here goes.
I had been having trouble with my right ear for several months and my family doc kept treating me for congestion and possible ear infection. My symptoms were; a feeling of fullness / stuffiness of the ear with loud rushing water sounds every time I breathe through my nose. My voice is extremely loud and distorted in my right ear almost like having a clogged ear except the sound is not muffled and much louder. I experience crackling and popping sounds when I swallow. Hiccups are just painful. Talking is difficult and singing is out of the question.
I finally went to an ENT and he was going down the same path until I mentioned that it sounded like the surf / waves crashing every time I took a breath. The ENT said "Ah ha, you have Patulous Eustachian Tube, Patulous means too open." He explained the structure of the Eustachian Tube, that this is a rare condition and told me of some possible causes, none of which apply to me. He wrote down "Patulous", handed me the note and then we stared at each other. I was waiting for him to explain the cure and I don't know what he was thinking, but I'll never forget what happened next. He stood up, and said, "I'm sorry but there isn't a cure for Patulous Eustachian Tube. Look it up on Google.", handed me the diagnosis sheet, opened the exam room door and directed me to the front desk. [my resulting thoughts edited for the sake of the children]
I took his sage :? advice and googled it. Here are those results. I think I've read every one of these sites. :shock:
I've found some relief by trial and error. Eating spicy food seems to cause closure of the ET but the affect is temporary. I have read reports of people snorting black pepper to get relief with diminishing affect. Also, I now chew gum almost every waking moment of every day. It seems to diminish the symptoms. I hate chewing gum, but there you go. Now to find some spicy chewing gum.
Lying down brings almost instant cessation of symptoms. They also return just as quickly upon rising. Wearing an earplug in my right ear also reduces the symptoms.
One bright note, I don't notice any symptoms while playing sax. :cheers: :thumbrig: I thought I would at least hear the reed buzzing but thank goodness that's not the case.
I hope this doesn't sound crass but I am not looking for anyone's pity or sympathy. I just wanted to share my story in case anyone else was experiencing these symptoms and to possibly find someone who has a remedy.
Sorry for the long post.
Redwood
P.S. I checked with my dentist and I don't have TMJD which might be a causative factor for pET.
P.P.S. There is a doc in Boston who has developed a treatment. Dennis S. Poe, MD, FACS
I had been having trouble with my right ear for several months and my family doc kept treating me for congestion and possible ear infection. My symptoms were; a feeling of fullness / stuffiness of the ear with loud rushing water sounds every time I breathe through my nose. My voice is extremely loud and distorted in my right ear almost like having a clogged ear except the sound is not muffled and much louder. I experience crackling and popping sounds when I swallow. Hiccups are just painful. Talking is difficult and singing is out of the question.
I finally went to an ENT and he was going down the same path until I mentioned that it sounded like the surf / waves crashing every time I took a breath. The ENT said "Ah ha, you have Patulous Eustachian Tube, Patulous means too open." He explained the structure of the Eustachian Tube, that this is a rare condition and told me of some possible causes, none of which apply to me. He wrote down "Patulous", handed me the note and then we stared at each other. I was waiting for him to explain the cure and I don't know what he was thinking, but I'll never forget what happened next. He stood up, and said, "I'm sorry but there isn't a cure for Patulous Eustachian Tube. Look it up on Google.", handed me the diagnosis sheet, opened the exam room door and directed me to the front desk. [my resulting thoughts edited for the sake of the children]
I took his sage :? advice and googled it. Here are those results. I think I've read every one of these sites. :shock:
I've found some relief by trial and error. Eating spicy food seems to cause closure of the ET but the affect is temporary. I have read reports of people snorting black pepper to get relief with diminishing affect. Also, I now chew gum almost every waking moment of every day. It seems to diminish the symptoms. I hate chewing gum, but there you go. Now to find some spicy chewing gum.
Lying down brings almost instant cessation of symptoms. They also return just as quickly upon rising. Wearing an earplug in my right ear also reduces the symptoms.One bright note, I don't notice any symptoms while playing sax. :cheers: :thumbrig:
I thought I would at least hear the reed buzzing but thank goodness that's not the case.I hope this doesn't sound crass but I am not looking for anyone's pity or sympathy. I just wanted to share my story in case anyone else was experiencing these symptoms and to possibly find someone who has a remedy.
Sorry for the long post.
Redwood
P.S. I checked with my dentist and I don't have TMJD which might be a causative factor for pET.
P.P.S. There is a doc in Boston who has developed a treatment. Dennis S. Poe, MD, FACS
