Myringotomy To Relieve Unequal Pressure

[237SJ]

Would a doctor every perform the above to relive unequal pressure not caused by fluid build up?

[Sqad]

;-).....he might.

But of course one would like to know why the pressure was "unequal."

I would have thought, after performing the myringotomy, he would have inserted a Gromit tube.

Yes..........he might.

[237SJ]

I`d pay someone £1000 to perform that right now.

[Sqad]

If I was close........i would do it for nothing ;-)..........well perhaps a small reward.

Why not use a nasal decongestant, followed by nipping your nostrils and force blowing down your nose?

[Sqad]

Just back from a long flight?

[237SJ]

I flipping wish you were close Sqad. I had a swollen sore throat and went to work because I have to be back for Tuesday for my Mum`s Oncologist appointment. I would have gone sick otherwise. My ears are completely blocked and I have never been so uncomfortable (even when I`ve had otits media). I feel like I have both fingers in my ears and am almost completely deaf. I can feel the pressure on the drums too. With my throat still swollen, I don`t think it`s going to change any time soon. I think I might go to the local walk in centre to see if anything else is going on.

[Sqad]

O.K.

[237SJ]

Yes, it was the flight. On the way out, my ears didn`t really clear so when I came down again, there was no difference and I recovered. On the way home, my ears cleared a little bit on the way up but not at all on the way down. This doesn`t feel normal though. There is no pain which is strange.

[Clanad]

I'm sure you know, SJ, that the humidity level in the cabin is less than the Gobi Desert in August. I tell all the crew to keep a little spray bottle of saline solution and use it regularly… meaning once every hour or so. You have to keep the sinuses irrigated.

Additionally, being back there is a lot like being in grade school (in more ways than one) in that you are exposed to every airborne disease that comes in. Another reason to keep the sinuses well irrigated. Additionally, if you do have crappy eustachian tubes, producing the sensation in your ears that you describe, I would recommend against Sqad's advice on "force blowing" your nose. That only pressurizes the bottom of the eustachian tube forcing the congestion back up towards the ears. Rather, (especially during descent) hold your nose and swallow… which will help pull the yucky stuff down to the back of the throat and out.

The Brits I talk to )in aviation) mostly tend to using Otrivine, while our American crews usually carry a spray bottle of Afrin. Results are usually the same but don't overuse it.

I realize, explained by your questions concerning insertion of ear tubes, you believe this to be an ear problem, but all evidence seems to indicate (after talking to my overworked ENT) problems of this nature begin with barotrauma. It's amazing how many crews it affects.

[237SJ]

Hi Clanad. There is a bug going around here which starts in the throat and my throat was really swollen and painful but the pain disappeared so I went to work keeping my fingers crossed about the ear situation. Big mistake. They didn`t clear at all. I have tried everything - Sudafed to shrink the inflammation, Ibuprofen likewise, Otrivine which is useless and just causes rebound rhinitis which has now blocked my nose up. I bought some Afrin in the US and have used that as well. Trouble is, you can`t sniff anything up the eustachian tubes - it`s impossible. You can get the stuff up the nose and sinuses but that`s it. The tubes are actually swollen closed rather than blocked with mucus, I think. The walk in centre said there is no inflammation so as yet, I don`t have an ear infection.