Ear Infection Made Patulous Eustachian Tube Worse. Please Help, I'm Desperate and Alone. :(

So, I believe (never could get properly diagnosed) I have had Patulous Eustachian Tube (E-Tubes won't close, and I can hear my breath and voice in my ears) for years now, but I believe a recent Ear Infection has made this worse. I had a lot of fluid in my ears, and was taking antibiotics and decongestants.

Now, my PET used to happen only every once in awhile, but now it's been happening every day and today it isn't going away. I can hear my voice and breathing and it is freaking me out so bad. I've never had it this bad, and just don't know what to do. I'm afraid to eat because swallowing and chewing seems to make it worse.

If anyone has this condition here (I know it's very rare) please help. I can't stand it and don't know what to do. So scared right now.

 

Did you ever try that patulend stuff?

 

What is Patulend? I've never heard of it, but will look into it. I have no idea how to treat this. ENT's were no help either (as usual). That's why I came here looking for advice.

 

Guess there aren't too many people here that have this, huh? Feeling a tad hopeless atm.

 

I've heard some people with patulous tubes find ipratropium bromide nasal drops to be helpful. Also, I think you best stop taking nasal decongestants, in case you've been using them recently, since that usually will open up the tubes more wide. Have you lost a lot of weight recently? Putting on weight can help to bring down autophony. Have you seen an ENT yet with these complaints?

 

Yeah, but he didn't know what it was at all. He was no help, unfortunately. I will stop taking the decongestants now, and will look into the nasal drops, thanks. Also, yes, I lost about 10 pounds recently due to a new diet I'm on. Is that actually enough to worsen this?

 

So I've heard. Check patient.info, where you can find more people who have this condition.

 

Alright, I will look into it. One more thing, about the nasal spray, it is the same thing as Flonase? I was prescribed that with my infection but it didn't seem to have any effect one way or another in my ears/tubes.

 

No, I don't think they're the same. Flonase is a steroid spray, but isn't a decongestant either (like Afrin). But maybe you should make an appointment with an ENT specialist, who can actually tell you more about Eustachian tube dysfunctions. There should be one around, no?

 

Yeah, I could try again, I suppose. The last ENT I talked to thought I was crazy when I brought all this up to him. He genuinely didn't seem to know anything about it, and it just made me feel embarrassed for even trying to bring it up.

 

If you've got a university near you, try to make contact with their ENT department. If someone ought to know more about these uncommon conditions, it is a university professor or fellow.

 

Alright, maybe I will try. Thanks for all the suggestions and advice, @Mellow7

 

You should never feel embarrassed to ask any question to your doctor. Try another ENT. I hope you feel better soon.

 

Thanks, I hope so too!