Sinusitis FAQ

irrigation led to ear pain

Question:

I’ve been irrigating for the last few months due to some sinusitis and its improved the situation nicely.  Unfortunately, I appear to have gotten some of the solution up my left eustation tube a couple of weeks ago and although it seemed to leave the ET I’m feeling some fullness in the ear now and have for the last 10 days.  Its hard to describe the sensation but it feels as if there’s a little numbness on the outer ear canal as well.  Hearing may be slightly impaired, but all of the symptoms are modest and sometimes seem to go away and then come back often after waking up.  It feels as if there may be some fluid in the middle ear though because I can feel/hear the rattle that comes from me humming certains lower notes. I don’t know whether this is an infection or what, but does anyone have any suggestions?  I’ve since stopped irrigating, naturally.

Response:

Dear Mark: I have the same problem as yours after using electronic irrigation from Dr.Grossan. Unfortunately, this pain has been haunting me for 6 months now.  Kaiser hospital has put a tube in my ear to release the pressure in Feb, but it does not work at all.  Now I still have ear pain on my right side when I wake up every morning, which won’t go away until I lie down for sleep. My final remedy is to visit UCLA ent doctor for diagnosis in early April.  In the meantime please share any medicine or treatment to cure this.  I have seen 10 ent in Los angeles but just very frustrating. If we found enough people with the same problem after irrigation, we should pose a big alert here so that no one can be at risk anymore. Will keep you in touch Laura

Response:

The "irrigator" is one great invention, but extreme care must be exercised during its use. …I think one should be cautioned never to use the procedure if the nose is plugged up. I made the mistake of holding the bulb too tightly in the nostril during an initial irrigation. I guess the induced pressure (as a result of my plugged nose) caused the pressure to extend up my eustacian tube. I got the worst ear pain I have ever experienced….Lasted for a few minutes, too. ..All irrigations should be initiated with the tip held very loosely to the nostril, first.  …Once, the flow out the other nostril is noticed to be unrestricted, then a firmer contact may be made.   ….Jon

Response:

Filed under: Sinusitis Symptoms

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