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Anxiety b/c of Inner ear fluid
I started with a sinus infection and chest congestion. On a one full day of coughing, I felt more and more pressure in my ears. Went to the Dr. he gave me 2 sinus sprays (prescription) and an antibiotic. Within a week of medication, sinus' cleared, coughing cleared, but it still fills like a baseball is stuck in my right ear and golf ball in my left. Ringing (sometimes very high pitched), vertigo, the sound of my own voice echos in my head. Going on my fourth week, the dr. says give it more time. My stress level is at an all time high. I can't sleep and I have wear ear plugs 24/7. Will this go away as they say wait or do I need to see an ENT? I am seriously thinking about checking into the psychiatric war at the hospital.
Hi, 35 year old female, I have been dizzy for 6 months. Been to every kind of dr under the sun including ent- all diagnosed me with anxiety. A nurse practioner I saw yesterday is convinced this is an inner ear problem that is causing my anxiety. I too "fake" yawn all day because it feels like my ears are clogged even though I can hear just fine and there is pressure inside. She started me on some steroids, antivert and valium to take at night. I too wanted to check myself into a psych ward because all these drs kept saying I was fine but I didn't feel fine. Somedays I feel like I am going crazy! I hope and pray this nurse is right and these meds start to work because then we will know for sure it is inner ear related. Do you find that it has to do with your eyes too? Like if you turn around too fast to look at something or looking at things far away make the dizziness worse? Or reading makes it worse? That's me.
Oh, and you might try supplementing with a good probiotic -- in fact you should. You've probably had a lot of antibiotics, and now predisone, and both kill off your beneficial bacteria that prevents these infections in the first place. Also, be alert to the predisone -- corticosteroids can increase anxiety, as they're basically cortisol. Just be aware of this, it might not affect you at all, but it might be something to bring up with your doc if you're suffering anxiety.
I don't remember, sorry. If I dig it up I'll post it. As for the honey, I wouldn't go there -- sugar increases inflammation, and you don't need that right now. There are many herbal anti-bacterials that don't contain the sugar honey does, such as goldenseal and garlic. A naturopath might be able to help you on this. Also keep in mind that it's very hard to find honey that's truly local -- most of it comes from overseas even at your local beekeeper, and especially so now that bees are dying off. But if you can find a local beekeeper you trust, a better bet for you would be local bee pollen -- much more potent than the honey, but probably not as anti-bacterial. But honey's main anti-bacterial effect is topical except for a few specialized honeys, such as monukka which is good for hpylori. What local honey and bee pollen is used for more is for allergies.
When I went to the doc a couple weeks ago for the Prednisone, he told me that anxiety can make the inner ear pressure worsen, so If the inner ear pressure is causing the brain to produce anxiety, and the anxiety makes the inner ear pressure worsen, then how will I ever win this battle?? I have tried Dramamine, hasn't helped. Yes, I've heard that a mixture of local honey with cinnamon (one tsp. 3/day) is a good antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral solution. This will be my next step, as I have exhausted everything else. But Thank You so much for validating my anxiety, meanwhile friends and coworkers seem to think I've either lost my mind or I'm just being a hypochondriac. BTW, what is the name of that book?
OK, just returned from ENT. Hearing loss in right ear is severe, hearing loss in left ear is moderate. Abnormal vibration from right ear drum. Sinus' are dry causing bleeding, and as far as she could see the Eustachian tube is not blocked, however she did explain that she could only see the bottom of the tube, that the blockage could be well up inside of the tube wear she couldn't see. She suggested, I keep using the Flonase 2 sprays nightly and lean it in the direction of each ear. Keep exercising the jaw as in a yawning motion and hold nose closed with mouth closed also, then blow. The exercise of blowing with mouth and nose closed, only makes it worse. I'm suppose to go back in two weeks, but I feel like it's just a waste of money. I do have my PCP appointment 2/25. Maybe he can offer a different solution. IDK, anymore?
This might be of interest. Many years ago when I first got my phobias and such, my psychologist at the time gave me a book that claimed inner ear problems caused many if not most chronic anxiety problems. It never caught on in the general medical community, but he claimed success in treating anxiety with dramamine and the like. His reasoning was that when one feels disoriented, the brain naturally produces anxiety as a warning signal. I never tried it out, but in this particular case it might explain the anxiety. Ginger is a good natural remedy for motion problems that helps some people without making one as tired as dramamine, and antivert doesn't make one tired either (I actually tried that one, but it did nothing for my anxiety and I didn't really have vertigo). Just a thought.
I thought yawning is a good practice when your ears plug on a plane because it moves the parts around and allows the passageways to clear. Not correct? .
Yes, that's correct, but the OP's question had more to do with the question of if yawning can be a symptom of anxiety, which it can.
I don't think the yawning motion is related to the ears, that would be a more conscious effort, whereas it seems the yawning seems to be more subconscous in his case.
Yes, that's correct, but the OP's question had more to do with the question of if yawning can be a symptom of anxiety, which it can.
I don't think the yawning motion is related to the ears, that would be a more conscious effort, whereas it seems the yawning seems to be more subconscous in his case.
I agree that the next logical step would be an ENT. If you're not having pain, it could be that it's just the fluid remaining, which isn't uncommon. If that's the case, then it takes time.
Let us know when you'll be seeing an ENT.
Let us know when you'll be seeing an ENT.
Yes, It's not always a real yawn, most of the time I'm just going through the motion of a fake yawn. Sometimes it releases, sometimes it makes it worse. I don't know anymore, short of going to an ENT, I have exhausted all measures of clearing my ears.
Thank you, I agree this has gone on too long, so when I go back to the doc (scheduled for 2/25), I will request a reference to an ENT.
Thanks, and I'll keep you posted on the doc. visit. I've thought about the FMLA, I'll have to see how it goes b4 Monday (when I return to work). The last 2 days weren't that bad b/c I stayed in a controlled area, where pedestrians are not allowed. I'll have to say that this morning, my ears seem a little more clearer than previously. Fingers crossed :-)
I thought yawning is a good practice when your ears plug on a plane because it moves the parts around and allows the passageways to clear. Not correct?
I feel you've given this enough time and I would see an ENT. It sounds to me like you have an inner ear problem that has not resolved itself, especially with the vertigo. Don't continue to suffer, get a specialist's opinion on this. Good luck and take care.
I'm sorry to hear you're feeling so lousy. I completely agree that you should not be operating a fork lift if you're having vertigo.
If you've been at your job for 12 months or more, you can apply for an FMLA ("family medical leave act") leave of absence from work. All you would need to do is ask the HR dept for the FMLA paperwork, which you would give to your doctor. That way, you can either take some time off, or in the least, you won't be harshly penalized for calling off due to the vertigo. I would advise you to look into it.
Definitely speak to your doctor.You may need a short term anxiolytic, like Ativan, or Xanax to use as needed, when the anxiety is at its worst. That may help the vertigo too...while I'm sure most of the vertigo is related to your ear issue, that can be a very common symptom of anxiety. Have you asked yout doctor for anything to help the vertigo? Antivert is a great medication, it may be something to ask about. Or you could ask about an OTC motion sickness medication...some of them have the same active ingredient in them as the Antivert (meclizine).
The yawn is probably anxiety related also, that's a fairly common complaint, especially if you have that sensation of not ebing able to get a deep breath in...yawning is a common coping mechanism to help with that symptom. It's definitely not uncommon.
Hang in there...let us know what the doc says, okay?
If you've been at your job for 12 months or more, you can apply for an FMLA ("family medical leave act") leave of absence from work. All you would need to do is ask the HR dept for the FMLA paperwork, which you would give to your doctor. That way, you can either take some time off, or in the least, you won't be harshly penalized for calling off due to the vertigo. I would advise you to look into it.
Definitely speak to your doctor.You may need a short term anxiolytic, like Ativan, or Xanax to use as needed, when the anxiety is at its worst. That may help the vertigo too...while I'm sure most of the vertigo is related to your ear issue, that can be a very common symptom of anxiety. Have you asked yout doctor for anything to help the vertigo? Antivert is a great medication, it may be something to ask about. Or you could ask about an OTC motion sickness medication...some of them have the same active ingredient in them as the Antivert (meclizine).
The yawn is probably anxiety related also, that's a fairly common complaint, especially if you have that sensation of not ebing able to get a deep breath in...yawning is a common coping mechanism to help with that symptom. It's definitely not uncommon.
Hang in there...let us know what the doc says, okay?
one more thing, I go through the motion of a fake yawn all day, sometimes this helps and other times it just makes it worse. Why is that?
I was suppose to work Fri. Sat. & Sun. 12 hours/day, but I couldn't make it. I operate a fork lift and I don't trust my reaction time with the vertigo. I am going back in tomorrow and Thursday and then I'm finished for the rest of the week. However, I'm staying off the lift as much as possible and most definitely staying away from areas where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic.
I have so much anxiety b/c at times my voice echos so loudly in my ear that I have to keep it plugged, and with the hearing loss I already have, add an ear plug or two, I'm constantly asking, "what". Even more stressful is having to hold on to any object, I can get my hands on when I get up in the a.m. as the pressure and vertigo are more intense at that moment. I operate a fork lift and while I feel more stable on the lift, I do not feel comfortable with my reaction time. I do have a doc appointment next week and I'll speak to him about something for anxiety then, if it's not cleared by then. With my work schedule, I can take something while I'm not at work. I have read many post about the waiting it out, however I've also found through those post that there are a lot more people who suffer anxiety over this than you could imagine, which makes me feel a little better that I'm not in it alone. First time I've been through this and most certainly, I hope it's the last. As for the sleep aids, I do not take them every night. Mucinex has been working extremely well on the mucus and cough. Thanks for your input.
Unfortunately, you just need to give this some time. It takes a while for the fluid to reabsorb. As that starts happening, the pressure and related symptoms will diminish as well. Ask your doc about recommending or prescribing a decongestant...that can be very helpful. I too went through this once, and after the acute infection resolved, the fluid lingered for literally months...but more than anything, it was just annoying...the swooshing and sloshing of the fluid and the dulled hearing. At that point though, there was no pain or pressure...so again, just an annoyance.
You just need to try to be patient and give this time. There really isn't much else you can do. What exactly about this is making you anxious? The symptoms? Are you worrying about something serious going on? What is going through your mind related to this?
I agree too that sleep is important, but be very cautious with sleep aids...even the OTC ones....as if they are taken with any regularity (every night for more than a few weeks)...you will have to contend with rebound insomnia when you stop taking them....which can make your initial sleep problems look like child's play. ANY medication taken for insomnia should be limited to short term courses of 2-3 weeks or less, OR just "as needed" where you're not taking them every single night. Skipping a few nights is a good idea if you feel you will need them longer then a few weeks.
Hope you get to feeling better soon...what kind of help have you sought for your anxiety...do you have a history of anxiety? Have you sought treatment before? I understand that anxiety can be intense and scary, but there are a lot of ways to treat it. If you haven't sought any help for it yet, there are ways to do so without necessarily having to go into the hospital.
You just need to try to be patient and give this time. There really isn't much else you can do. What exactly about this is making you anxious? The symptoms? Are you worrying about something serious going on? What is going through your mind related to this?
I agree too that sleep is important, but be very cautious with sleep aids...even the OTC ones....as if they are taken with any regularity (every night for more than a few weeks)...you will have to contend with rebound insomnia when you stop taking them....which can make your initial sleep problems look like child's play. ANY medication taken for insomnia should be limited to short term courses of 2-3 weeks or less, OR just "as needed" where you're not taking them every single night. Skipping a few nights is a good idea if you feel you will need them longer then a few weeks.
Hope you get to feeling better soon...what kind of help have you sought for your anxiety...do you have a history of anxiety? Have you sought treatment before? I understand that anxiety can be intense and scary, but there are a lot of ways to treat it. If you haven't sought any help for it yet, there are ways to do so without necessarily having to go into the hospital.
Mine is not like yours so I am not of use to you. Sopunds terrible.
Are you working or going to school?
Are you working or going to school?
Yes I have sleep aid, OTC and prescription. I don't wear the ear plugs to relieve the ringing, nothing stops it, I wear them to keep my voice from echoing so loudly in my head and wearing them at night keeps me from feeling the pressure so badly while trying to sleep. How and why they control that, I don't know but I do feel lucky that I can get some relief through the plugs. If you don't mind, can you tell me if the ringing you have is from inner ear fluid. If fluid was your problem, how long did it take for the fluid to release? Thank You
I have ringing in my ears and don't see how earplugs would help, but if they do consider yourself lucky. It is good that your doc says it will go away, so at least you know there is an end in sight.
You might want to check into sleeping pills until you get relief. Lack of sleep does a lot of damage to your body, wearing it out and causing frustration so a pill might be the lesser of 2 evils.
They aren't addictive as the old ones were, and I have gone off and on them easily while trying to figure if they are worth it when dealing with my sleep issues. Only your doc can make that call with you, unless you go the OTC route.
There are also mild sedatives that might do the trick, some over the counter. For me I have no problem getting to sleep but have wake up problems that can't be suppressed without something in my system, so if that is your issue bring it all up with your doc or if you go the OTC route with your pharmacist.
You might want to check into sleeping pills until you get relief. Lack of sleep does a lot of damage to your body, wearing it out and causing frustration so a pill might be the lesser of 2 evils.
They aren't addictive as the old ones were, and I have gone off and on them easily while trying to figure if they are worth it when dealing with my sleep issues. Only your doc can make that call with you, unless you go the OTC route.
There are also mild sedatives that might do the trick, some over the counter. For me I have no problem getting to sleep but have wake up problems that can't be suppressed without something in my system, so if that is your issue bring it all up with your doc or if you go the OTC route with your pharmacist.
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