Dizziness, nasal pressure, ear clicking

[kbinning]

Hi there,

For the past 4 months I have been experiencing a variety of symptoms.

Since just before Christmas I started to experience a dizzy/out of sorts sensation. Shortly after I started experiencing a pressure feeling in my ears, almost like I was constantly descending on an aeroplane. Following this, I then developed a 'clicking' sound in my left ear. It is more prominent when I push my tongue to the back of my throat (I can only assume this is Eustachian Tube related). My best description of it is someone squeezing an empty plastic bottle inside my ear.  This was also closely followed with nasal pressure and sinus headaches, however there was no mucus or discharge from the nose, it just always feels like the lining is inflamed. I also occasionally get neck pain and tightness. When the symptoms are at their worst, my jaw feels extremely tight, and it almost feels like my head is being crushed. I find it very hard to equalise my ears as well because my eustachian tubes are so inflamed. Also, when I open my mouth very wide I can hear a lot of crackling in my ears.

Having visited the doctor a number of times we have tried a variety of treatments. Firstly I was put on weeks course of amoxicillin because they assumed it may be a sinus infection. However, this did not help. After checking my nose, the doctor then suggested I may have nasal polyps. He said this would stop the fluid draining from my ear and would cause the pressure and clicking sensation. I was then tried on a beclometasone nasal spray to reduce the polyps, however again I was offered no relief. This continued for a few weeks and I stayed persistent. After visiting the doctor again I was given a nasal rinse device and also fluticasone, again to no avail. He then recommended a short course of prednisolone, 75mg in the morning for 5 days. This seemed to help, especially the longer I took it, however made me quite anxious and jittery. Also, this was not to be a long-term solution. Shortly after the course of prednisolone had finished the symptoms returned.

I have now visited the doctor for a final time and have been referred to an ENT, however the referral could take anywhere up to 6 weeks. I am growing increasingly worried that this is now a chronic condition because it has lasted for so long.

If it's of any use to you, the symptoms seem to be better in the morning and a lot of my head pressure is relieved by taking pseudoephedrine. As the day goes on the symptoms get progressively worse, and at night time any regular activity is completely unmanageable. It also causes me a lot of stress and anxiety, which then makes the symtpoms worse, and so the cycle continues! It has had no affect on my fitness, I still attend the gym regularly and my strength/endurance are fine. My blood pressure is also fine. It does occasionally cause loss of appetite brought on by the dizziness/nauseous feeling. The symptoms have also not got any worse, they seem to have come to a plateau.

I am running out of possibilities for what could be causing this. I have read in various places that it could be a food allergy or intolerance but my doctor said if that was the case then it wouldn't only cause congestion and ear problems. As such, I was not referred to an allergist.

I just want to be back to my old self again and to have a clear head. It has completely interrupted my ability to concentrate, my memory and my ability to enjoy the things that I used. I now find myself staying in because the symptoms are too severe to participate in anything.

If you have any more questions about my symptoms please let me know.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hi, as you have realized the problem is with your eustachian tubes. If the Eustachian tube dysfunction, does not resolve with medical therapy, then surgical options are the choice of treatment. Myringotomy, where a tiny slit is made in the eardrum to aspirate any middle ear fluid and to allow temporary ventilation into the middle ear space. Pressure Equalization Tube, PET, where  a tiny plastic or metal tube, is introduced into  myringotomy to keep the portal open. Please discuss this with your doctor am sure he will provide further assistance. Regards.

[kbinning]

I would also like to include that I am a 22 year old male, non-smoker, exercise regularly and have a pretty varied diet. I have no allergies that I know of and no family history of anything that would be of any relevance to my symptoms.