Dear Doctor,
I suffered from a sinus infection about four months ago. The CAT scan showed a right maxillary and ethmoid sinus infection. Because of a heart problem, the doctor was hesitant to operate and he wanted to try conservative treatment. (I take Rythmol and Lopressor for a heart problem/autonomic nervous dysfunction. I took Ceftin, Vancenase, and irrigated twice daily to clear the infection. I eventually got over the infection.
I have been continually irrigating. . I noticed that when I first irrigated back when I was battling the infection that my left ear would feel full and I would wake up at night in pain. The doctor assured me that this was temporary and that I should continue to irrigate. He was correct. The pain did go away. From then on I would have the pain periodically when I would irrigate, but I just ignored it, because I knew that it was just transient.
I have used both the water pik and bulb syringe for irrigating during the past few months. I was really feeling much better, but last week I awoke to a terrible fullness in my ears. I tried to open them using autoinflation, but it didn't work very well. I saw the doctor, and he said my ears look fine; there is no fluid. He thinks that this is just an eustachian tube dysfunction - probably due to allergies. I was advised to continue autoinflation and irrigating.
I really am having difficulty sleeping. I am awakened several times during the night to pain in both ears. When I try to autoinflate my ears, only my left ear responds. I feel the pressure in my left ear, but none in my right ear. The left ear seems to open, but then it closes up again after I swallow.
I know that the irrigation is important in helping to ward off future sinus infections, yet I am wondering if I overdid the irrigation. Could I have caused this problem?? Will it probably clear up?
Thank you for answering my questions.
Sincerely,
Reply: ----------------------------
Your symptoms certainly sound consistent with eustachian tube dysfunction. It is possible that nasal irrigation might be associated with transient ear pressure, however persistent symptoms would suggest inflammation such as that which might occur with infection, allergy, etc. Often short term (3 days or less) use of oxymetazoline spray (Afrin) combined with non-steroidal analgesics (Alleve, Ibuprofen, etc.) and continued autoinflation can be helpful for acute eustachian tube problems. Topical nasal steroids (Vancenase, Flonase, Rhinocort, Nasacort, etc.) might be tried for symptoms that last longer. If the symptoms persist beyond a couple of weeks, particularly when pain is present, another visit to the ENT doctors office would be in order for further evaluation.
--
Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
Click here to review
previous Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic consultations