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Desperate for a solution:(
myearshurt posted:
hi i am new to this so.. but i am looking for some input because i dont know what else to do. i have been having ear problems for the past 3 years. First it started with this weird thumping noise sensation in my left ear mostly at night it wasnt that bad so i was able to deal with it i would put the palm of my hand on my ear to drown the noise and i would fall asleep i can only sleep on my left side. Now about 10 months ago it started doing it everynight and more pronounced i also have ear pain deep inside my ear my throat hurts i feel like i have something up my throat close to my ear and when i swallow or talk it tickles and i can feel it inside my ear only on the left side. just weird. i also have sore jaw i have been to tmj dentist made me a splint been wearing for 1 month now. been to 2 ENTs say tmj but i have no relief as of yet. also when i rub around my left eye i can feel it makes a weird noise in my left ear. i cant sleep with this thumping noise and pain deep in my ear. i dont know what else to do or where to go? i have also had my ear pressure checked, hearing checked everything is fine..Is this due to TMJ or something esle i really need some input of what i should do next ..thank you kindly
7 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Desperate for a solution:(hi i am new to this so.. but i am looking for some input because i dont know what else to do. i have been having ear problems for the past 3 years. First it started with this weird thumping noise sensation in my left ear mostly at night it wasnt that bad so i was able to deal with it i would put the palm of my hand on my ear to drown the noise and i would fall asleep i can only sleep on my left side. Now about 10 months ago it started doing it everynight and more pronounced i also have ear pain deep inside my ear my throat hurts i feel like i have something up my throat close to my ear and when i swallow or talk it tickles and i can feel it inside my ear only on the left side. just weird. i also have sore jaw i have been to tmj dentist made me a splint been wearing for 1 month now. been to 2 ENTs say tmj but i have no relief as of yet. also when i rub around my left eye i can feel it makes a weird noise in my left ear. i cant sleep with this thumping noise and pain deep in my ear. i dont know what else to do or where to go? i have also had my ear pressure checked, hearing checked everything is fine..Is this due to TMJ or something esle i really need some input of what i should do next ..thank you kindly
Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:
First, you must understand that I cannot diagnose or treat you over the Internet based solely on the information in your brief posting. I do not know anything about you, your medical history, nor do I have a way of examining you or ordering any diagnostic tests. As much as I would like to help you, my ability to blindly do so over the Internet is very limited.
Based on your posted symptoms, the possibilities are numerous, and you may have more than one issue. For instance, it is possible to have a TMJ disorder as well as a problem in your middle or inner ear....all of these things can cause similar symptoms. Myoclonus can do this (a spasm of the muscles that attach those middle ear bones), too.
You have done the right thing by seeing an ENT, but you may want to consider seeing an ENT associated with a large, university-based medical center ENT department. The collaborative resources of these large research and teaching institutions often are better equiped to evaluate these more challenging and difficult cases, like you have.
Based on your posted symptoms, the possibilities are numerous, and you may have more than one issue. For instance, it is possible to have a TMJ disorder as well as a problem in your middle or inner ear....all of these things can cause similar symptoms. Myoclonus can do this (a spasm of the muscles that attach those middle ear bones), too.
You have done the right thing by seeing an ENT, but you may want to consider seeing an ENT associated with a large, university-based medical center ENT department. The collaborative resources of these large research and teaching institutions often are better equiped to evaluate these more challenging and difficult cases, like you have.
Report This| Share this:Desperate for a solution:(First, you must understand that I cannot diagnose or treat you over the Internet based solely on the information in your brief posting. I do not know anything about you, your medical history, nor do I have a way of examining you or ordering any diagnostic tests. As much as I would like to help you, my ability to blindly do so over the Internet is very limited.<br /> <br />Based on your posted symptoms, the possibilities are numerous, and you may have more than one issue. For instance, it is possible to have a TMJ disorder as well as a problem in your middle or inner ear....all of these things can cause similar symptoms. Myoclonus can do this (a spasm of the muscles that attach those middle ear bones), too. <br /> <br />You have done the right thing by seeing an ENT, but you may want to consider seeing an ENT associated with a large, university-based medical center ENT department. The collaborative resources of these large research and teaching institutions often are better equiped to evaluate these more challenging and difficult cases, like you have.
myearshurt replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
thank you very much Dr Moser, i am considering going to an Oral and maxillofacial or a N euro-otlogist, i really appreciate your opinion i really want some relief from this problem it has affected my whole life, job, family:(
Report This| Share this:Desperate for a solution:(thank you very much Dr Moser, i am considering going to an Oral and maxillofacial or a N euro-otlogist, i really appreciate your opinion i really want some relief from this problem it has affected my whole life, job, family:(
You are doing the right thing....
A patient has to be their own advocate when it comes to these matters. I am glad you are "taking charge".
Please let me know what happens....
A patient has to be their own advocate when it comes to these matters. I am glad you are "taking charge".
Please let me know what happens....
Report This| Share this:Desperate for a solution:(You are doing the right thing....<br /> <br />A patient has to be their own advocate when it comes to these matters. I am glad you are "taking charge".<br /><br />Please let me know what happens....
myearshurt replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Hi Dr Moser... ITs been now 2 months since i last posted i went to the neurotologist for my ear problem which is the noise in my left ear at night and i have to palm it so that i can sleep. the neurotologist took ctscan of my ears said everything looked fine no tumor no fluid. He said that if it was my brain that was causint this problem it wouldnt stop when i palm my ear at night? he did hearing test pressure in my ear everything wasfine. now the next step he wants to make an incision in my ear drum (myringotomy)?? he thinks its a combination of tmj and ETD.. i am so at loss about if this is going to help stop the noise or make it worst is it irreversible? apart from it being so expensive.. do u think this will help or i really dont want it to make it worst... oh please give me your opinion i will appreciate it very much.
Report This| Share this:Desperate for a solution:(Hi Dr Moser... ITs been now 2 months since i last posted i went to the neurotologist for my ear problem which is the noise in my left ear at night and i have to palm it so that i can sleep. the neurotologist took ctscan of my ears said everything looked fine no tumor no fluid. He said that if it was my brain that was causint this problem it wouldnt stop when i palm my ear at night? he did hearing test pressure in my ear everything wasfine. now the next step he wants to make an incision in my ear drum (myringotomy)?? he thinks its a combination of tmj and ETD.. i am so at loss about if this is going to help stop the noise or make it worst is it irreversible? apart from it being so expensive.. do u think this will help or i really dont want it to make it worst... oh please give me your opinion i will appreciate it very much.
A myringotomy is often recommended for long-standing middle ear and Eustachian tube dysfunction. The procedure is to equalize middle ear pressure and to make sure the middle ear is aerated (filled with air, instead of fluid). If you hearing pressure test (tympanogram) was normal....and your exam was "normal", I really don't know his rationale for this procedure. If you are on the fence with this approach (I know you are), then seeking a second, hands-on ENT opinion would be advisable. Yes, it would add to your costs and perhaps even confuse the recommendations even more if the second ENT doesn't agree. Then, it would be up to you to pick one of two different possibel course.
A myringotomy would not help TMJ. Have you seen a dentist who is a specialist in TMJ disorders? This may be important.
Myringotomy and/or the insertion of tubes is not the panacea for all that ails you. Your neurotologist may be at a loss to find a solution, so this could be a "trial" of therapy to see if it would help. You, of course, are the recepient. I think it would be difficult to predict a specific outcome with this procedure for you, and yes, it would be possible to make things worse... Unfortunately, this possibility is always in the equation when surgery is involved.
A myringotomy would not help TMJ. Have you seen a dentist who is a specialist in TMJ disorders? This may be important.
Myringotomy and/or the insertion of tubes is not the panacea for all that ails you. Your neurotologist may be at a loss to find a solution, so this could be a "trial" of therapy to see if it would help. You, of course, are the recepient. I think it would be difficult to predict a specific outcome with this procedure for you, and yes, it would be possible to make things worse... Unfortunately, this possibility is always in the equation when surgery is involved.
Report This| Share this:Desperate for a solution:(A myringotomy is often recommended for long-standing middle ear and Eustachian tube dysfunction. The procedure is to equalize middle ear pressure and to make sure the middle ear is aerated (filled with air, instead of fluid). If you hearing pressure test (tympanogram) was normal....and your exam was "normal", I really don't know his rationale for this procedure. If you are on the fence with this approach (I know you are), then seeking a second, hands-on ENT opinion would be advisable. Yes, it would add to your costs and perhaps even confuse the recommendations even more if the second ENT doesn't agree. Then, it would be up to you to pick one of two different possibel course.<br /> <br />A myringotomy would not help TMJ. Have you seen a dentist who is a specialist in TMJ disorders? This may be important.<br /> <br />Myringotomy and/or the insertion of tubes is not the panacea for all that ails you. Your neurotologist may be at a loss to find a solution, so this could be a "trial" of therapy to see if it would help. You, of course, are the recepient. I think it would be difficult to predict a specific outcome with this procedure for you, and yes, it would be possible to make things worse... Unfortunately, this possibility is always in the equation when surgery is involved.
myearshurt replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Thank you Dr Moser, yes i have a TMJ specialist i have been wearing a night splint every single night since May of this year it has helped some but the noise is still there not as pronounced as it was like a year ago. Maybe giving the splint more time is my other option and prayer... I appreciate your opinion thank you and i hope you have a great day.
Report This| Share this:Desperate for a solution:(Thank you Dr Moser, yes i have a TMJ specialist i have been wearing a night splint every single night since May of this year it has helped some but the noise is still there not as pronounced as it was like a year ago. Maybe giving the splint more time is my other option and prayer... I appreciate your opinion thank you and i hope you have a great day.
It is possible that you have TWO different medical issues (TMJ and ETD), both contributing to your array of symptoms.....
Report This| Share this:Desperate for a solution:(It is possible that you have TWO different medical issues (TMJ and ETD), both contributing to your array of symptoms.....
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