OK, now I'm scared, problems with my eardrum

I know my eardrum is supposed to be healing from having a ventilation tube removed. But that was 2 weeks ago and the symptoms are just getting worse and worse. It feels like my eardrum is turning into a tight, numb, vibrating lump. It's so tense and the tinnitus sound is getting louder and louder. The ENT inspected my eardrum 2 days ago and she saw nothing wrong. If this is muscle tension how do you make the muscles in your ear relax? I do relaxation exercises every day, and I've been trying to take it easy and not freak out over this development, but I'm getting really scared now.

 

can you see another ENT? sometimes docs are wrong.

 

Hi Catarina.

Please have a look at this: http://tinnitus.org/Tensor tympani syndrome_Klochoff.pdf

This is possibly the case for me, and it might be worth having a look a.

Do you have any idea what triggered your T in the first place?

 

It's very hard to get to see a specialist here in Sweden, most don't accept new patients. The ear clinic at my local hospital has a waiting time of 1 year, if you can get a referral at all. There used to be a tinnitus team there, with access to medical expertise, audiologists and therapists. That's gone, for cost reasons. Mr. Cartman, I have read about tensor tympani syndrome, might be that, could be the stapedius muscle or maybe the muscles controlling the eustachian tube. The article you link to mentions diazepam. Now, who would prescribe me that? My ENT does not want to prescribe any anxiety medication, just the milder kind like Sobril and Atarax. I am on a waiting list for a psychologist so when I eventually get an appointment I might suggest diazepam.
I don't know what triggered my T, but stress is a possible factor.

 

A waiting time for 1 year seems kinda long. Do you have the resources and possibility to visit a private hospital / specialist?
Could be worth a try.

Im going to do that within the first few weeks.

 

I agree about the private clinic stuff. Although they can be quite expensive.
In Estonia we often speak about the great medical system in Scandinavia (high taxes etc.) Great to see its working so well... where the hell does the money go???

 

In my experience it's not working that well.. After a bomb blast I got raging ringing in my ears and horrible pain.
My ENT simply told me half of the population has ringing in their ears and that it's perfectly normal.

Just DEAL WITH IT, he said.

What an advice.

I have found way more information and support on this forum than any of my docs has given me

 

well at least you have decent pensions for us its like nothing... and no tinnitus experts as well.

 

But you have been able to see a specialist regarding your T?

 

I did see the doctor who is supposed to be the no 1 audiologist in this area. He didnt know a lot about it and told me to google if i want to find out more.
Luckily my psychiatrist knows more about it and iss very helpful. But if i needed TRT i would not be able to get it even for good money. Im quite sure if a treatment should be released it will take 2x longer than for other countries - thats how it works for most meds and procedures around here.

 

The ENT I'm seeing is a private specialist, but we have a kind of mixed system here so she works under contract with the national health system. We used to have a great medical system in Sweden, but politics and economics have changed that. The money seems to go to administrators, consultants and reorganisations.

 

Do you have any acquaintances? Could you to the emergency room?

 

Its great to hear that your psychiatrist knows something about it then and is helpful as well!

TRT is covered by social security in Norway, so its available.

I thought Estonia was pretty much the same as Norway when it comes to social security.

Btw, I was in Tallinn some time ago during a roadtrip.. What a beautiful city

 

If I compare Estonia and Norway its like you have no problems at all. Estonia is a post-soviet country. The medical system here is literally horrible and if you have an accident and are taken to the hospital you will most likely be screwed up. Im not even gonna talk about the salaries, the pensions and the social payments for families and handicapped people. The oly thing the government cares about is their own pockets. People are massively working in Finland or leaving. Of course comparing to other post-Soviet countries we seem quite well off, but comparing to the rest of Europe Estonia is a dump.
Tallinn sure can seem exotic with it medieval look.

 

Im going to visit a private hospital/clinic in Norway regarding my T.

If it turns out to be of any value ill let you know.

Seems like T is deluding a lof ot doctors.

 

I doubt whether they would even let me into the emergency room if I tell them I have tinnitus.

 

Yes, please tell! If it's good I might want to go there myself. Norway is not so far after all.

 

If you ever really need TRT, i guess it would be available for you in Norway though.

However, I do hope it will fade away in time for all of us.

 

I will.

It's like one hour drive by car from Svinesund.

At least Ill give it a try

 

I think it would require me paying anyway as Norway is not in the EU and I really see why Norwegians should pay for my treatment. Anyway if that does happen Ill think about it then but thanks for the tip

 

Hey, have you tried a muscle relaxant? That might help

 

I asked about a muscle relaxant, but the ENT didn't think they'd help. I'm very naughty right now, I have some very old Norflex in my cupboard, and I've started taking them. The expiry date is long past, but there must be some strength left in them. Worth trying anyway.

 

It can't hurt anyway. I think I have a similar problem - my muscle feels very tense in my ear, so much so it makes my cheek feel tense. Only on one side though. Doesn't happen all the time, but it feels a bit stiff today.