Hi everyone...

I have an appt in 2 weeks for my ears to be checked....again, haven't had then looked at in about 3 years. I really have been putting off going to the DR. for anything since I have to watch the medical bills so they don't pile up as they have done before, but over the weekend I had a rough time with ear symptoms....not like this is new though it was just a new sound and feeling that through me off. I have been dealing with vertigo and ear sounds, being plugged, severe pressure, on/off deafness, feelings of being pulled to one side for about 2 years. I had an mri 3 years ago when the dizziness started, but had minimal ear sounds and sensations...also went to an ENT, but because my main complaint was wooziness he thought it was mental....what a suprise there. Al of this gets worse before a period. Well Fri I had mild pain in my L. ear, nothing I was overly bothered by, Sat my R. was completely plugged, I kept yawning and couldn't pop it, by noon I was was not plugged that I noticed, but now vertigo set in and when this happens I can's close my eyes or it gets worse, I can't move from side to side( like lay on your side) or it gets horribly worse, so I just don't move.....it passes after about 1/2 an hr.....Sun night suddenly I hear this water sound in my L. ear, like I was in a pool and needed to drain my ear...I know I hadn't been in water and there was no way I could have just got water in my ear so I think maybe this has been the problem all this time and all I need to do is tip my head and get it out......so I tip my head to allow to drain and put my pinky over it to shake it like you would at a pool......big mistake, suddenly I have this crackling sound as if I have really fine broken peices of glass grinding together, and my ear go deaf and seemingly numb.....I panic and think blood is going to be coming out and something must be broken ...I still feel like water is in it, but nothing ever comes out and after 15 min. it is gone. I know when I go they will find nothing....I suspect that whatever is going on with the ears is contributing to the vertigo/dizzy feeling i get.....I have been thinking it is hormonal since they didn't tell me anything before, but if it was hormonal would it react to head tilting and movement? When I had my first attack of vertigo at 5 am almost 3 years ago I woke up just a few hr's before it and had ringing and it sounded like I was in a tin can when I talked....I didn't tell the dR. then thinking it was unrelated, but now I wonder. What could cause these sounds...I mean I know everyone gets this from time to time, but for me it is weekly. Any thoughts Thanks Mikki

sorry the water sound was in my R. ear that was plugged the day before....if that matters

Not sure what that could be. Did you get water in your ear, swimming or washing your hair? I had/have a tickling feeling in my ear and I even went to the dr. to see if I had a bug in there I didn't but I still get that feeling so I don't know why.

my sister who is 42 just started getting vertigo- its definatley hormonal in her case!!! ( cant spell- ill blame it on hormonal lol )

one more thing - i beleive its part of the aging process, our hearing cells slowing die off and we lose hearing as we age !!! the noise is cells changing,

Ok, glad to see someone else has this too!!! I have had ear plugged problems and everytime I swallow I here a squishing sound in them, like crackling. I have had them all checked and was told fluid build up from allergies and of course hormones. It makes me lightheaded when it gets really bad then I take 1/2 xanax and it is better.

My sister suffers from this:

http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/surgery...logy/ear/md.htm

Sorry your going thru this as I know exactly how you feel. Ive had prblems with my ears for years and was misdiagnosed with Minieres syndrome. When I changed my pcp about 10 years ago he sent me to a different ent who didnt think this is what I suffered fromn and sent me on to a balance specialst or "neuro-otologist" I believe is the professional term. You'd be surprised at how much t regular ent DOSESNT know about the inner ear and to me it sounds almost exactly like what I had going on.

I was finally diagnosed with otisclerosis and had surgery on both ears with great improvement in hearing and the ringing is better to. Not to say its never bad because when the barometer drops I get the fullness sometimes and the ringing can get worse but it usually passes after the front moves in or whatever.

I find that if I get a vertigo attack the best thing to do is to just try and focus and stare straight ahead. And the nausea that comes with it is awful. Your Dr. or ent should prescribe either antivert or valium as they both really help with the vertigo. I find that when I have one of these attackes ( which is rare ) Im so tired for the next few days.

I know how scary this is but you can get help and WILL get thru it.

There are quite a few different things that could be causing this and I would like you to try this Site called dizzytimes. Its been a great help to me in the past and I think you can benefit from it too.

dizzytimes

Please keep us posted and good luck, Helen

So sorry to hear about your ear problem. u know my ears hurt and i clean them with peroxide, then it stops. The thing that is scarey is when i move my head from side to side i can hear a loud squeaking noise, my husband can hear it also if he is next to me, that's how load it is. I believe it has something to do with the sinus pressure that i feel, but i just don't know.

I have had this on and off for about 5 years and have gone to the Dr. and everything is normal. There is a drop you can buy at the Drug store to dri up you earsand it works great for me.
Hope this helps

I also use drops and they work great,i use "swim ear" drops....the doctor suggested i buy them and use them anytime i wash my hair or get my head wet.I was wearing ear plugs when i took a shower or washed my hair but still always had the fullness and squishyness in my ears...the drops work wonders.

By chance do you notice if you clench or grind your teeth? TMJD can affect your ears. Just a thought.

Hope you get some relief soon, dear.

Thanks for the thoughts....if it all wasn't so unpredictable I could better deal, but I could be walking through a store and wham I am sideways or the floor is jello.

I am pretty sure I didn't get water in it unless it was left over from another day, none came out though just the feeling. I have been afarid to get diagnosed with menieres just because I heard they can take your license(sp) away, not that I drive right now anyway, but to never again have the option would make me crazy. When the first initial episode of vertigo happened and ear sounds I was told I had labrynthitis by an ER dr. if this is so why does it never go away for good?

I also have allergies to dust which makes my nose constantly plugged even with a neti pot I am clogged. So don't know if that is playing a role.

Yes I have TMJ I wear a custom fitted mouth gaurd, and got that also about the same time....at first I thought that was causing it too, but figured the mouth gaurd should have relievd it? I still find my jaw very tight and stiff though often thorughout the day....they said I probably need to wear it during the day too, I did for awhile but haven't for some time now.

I feel like cancelling the appt. I know they are just going to say they don't know and up my bill goes for nothing. Thanks HUGS Mikki

I have struggled with ear congestion (and some dizziness) for many years. I stopped drinking milk a couple of months ago, and my symptoms have improved. Just an idea for you...

Hugs,

JC

Hi Mikki:

I'm sorry your dealing with this, I know exactly what your going thru. When I read your post I had to respond. I have exactly the same thing happening to me, its been going on since last December. Its the oddest kinda of feeling, I call it the swaying or rocking sensation. It happens nostly when I'm still, like working at my desk or watching t.v. When I sit I get this feeling like I'm swaying ever so slightly. It started last year sometime, I would be in a store and the oddest ear pressure would happen, it was like when the doors closed in the store it felt like a vacuum tight seal sort of. The pressure would build, the popping and crackling would start and then the dizziness, lighthededness or vertigo. Now I have a almost constant ringing or cricket like sound in my right ear, get this pressure, sometimes achiness in the right ear and then when I sit boom, the vertigo or swaying feeling. I've also noticed for years when I'm in my car and the car stops, I feel like its moving. Alot of time I feel like even when I'm sitting I'm off balance. I also get the zap vibration from the back of of neck into my head right before it happens, especially if I'm sitting a certain way.

I've told my Doc, my gyno even saw a top ENT, he said I think its anxiety. Gave you valuim and sent me home. I thru away the prescription and now just try to handle it. ITs funny cause I can days without it then its back out of the blue.

I wish I had some stellar advice because I know how unneraving it is. I hope you get to feeling better and if I come on something that works, I'll be sure and share it with you.

Hugs, Patty

Patty and Mikki,

You both really need to see an neuro-otologist. And I have to tell you when the vertigo hits the valuim works well to stop it. Its not something you have to take constantly but on a when needed basis, just like Tylenol or anything else you might use when your not feeling well.

Some of these symptoms are curable with the proper treatment. there are any number of things either one of you could have. I have a neice that went to Dr. after Dr. for her vertigo and they would tell her its in her head and gave her antivert
(which is also very helpful by the way.) But I sent her to my ent who put her in touch with the specialist and it turned out she had what are called "ear rocks" cant remember the actual medical term. But anyhow they just had to reposition them and then she was fine.
they can fall out of place again, and they have. ( mainly cuz she rides the coasters at Cedar Point ) But then she go's in and has them repositioned again.

This inner ear stuff is complicated and an ENT just dosent have the backround for it. It can make you feel like your losing your mind, I know it did me.

The dizzytimes website I posted a link to in my above post has so much info that could be helpful to both of you. I hope you'll both take a minute to check it out.

Good luck, Helen

Hi Mikki,

I was diagnosed with Menieres Disease over 20 years ago....it is just a part of my life I have to deal with, unfortunately. If I were you I would find a good ent or otologist that specializes in inner ear issues. There are tests which can determine if you have Menieres, BPV, allergies or it could actually be hormonal. Xanax and valium are very good for vertigo as I believe they are vestibular supressants. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Dee
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