Throbbing/pulse in left ear driving me crazy. Blocked eustachian tube? (allergies, pain)

[jacq63]

Hi folks,

I saw a doctor about this today, had him confuddled good and proper. He said both my ears looked healthy, but this 'thumping/throbbing/pulsing' in my left ear is making me miserable.
He suggested taking a nasal spray for a few days, so I've just started doing that, and also said to yawn a lot (not hard for me!) and to swallow.
He was unsure about what caused the throbbing, but when I mentioned also getting horrible decompression when landing in an aircraft, he was more definite about it being a blocked eustachian tube.

I'm in Sydney, and have been reading elsewhere on the forum about something called a "Z-pack" which seems to work, but am not sure about it's availability here.

Has anyone else had this sensation?? Did you climb up the walls, and snap at your beloved/s?? Any other suggestions/remedies would be appreciated!

Thanks for listening/reading, folks, have a good Monday/Tuesday!

[SXMGirl]

I had something similar several years ago. I had a haircut about a week before and when I went to the doctor, she found a very small clipping of hair in the ear canal. It was so small, I would never have found it. She told me that I was the second patient that week with this problem.

Since then, I seem to have problems with that ear. I use a hot water bottle on my ear during the evening.

[Viralmd]

A Z-pack is azithromycin, an antibiotic. But it doesn't sound like you have an infection.

[NCN]

My mother had this years ago and it ended up being a thyroid problem. She could hear her heart beating in her ears. I don't know what your problem is, but just thought I would mention that since it happened to her.

[Hollytree]

Like Country Girl said- are you sure it isn't your heart beat? High blood pressure can cause this sensation. Have you gone to your general practitioner??

[jacq63]

I actually normally have really low b.p., and this isn't regular like a heart beat, it's an irregular thing. I've been awake for the last couple hours with it (it's now 5.40 a.m.).
I'm still using the decongestant which doesnt seem to be working. Oh well, it doesnt hurt to ask..prolly go back to the dr's soonish.
I wondered if it's stress related? This is a really busy time at uni, and I work as well, but I didn't experience this last year when it was a similar time..
Seriously, I feel I could cut my freakin' ear off right now.
I wonder if I'll become a better painter??
Thanks for chimin' in guys..

[jacq63]

Originally Posted by SXMGirl

Since then, I seem to have problems with that ear. I use a hot water bottle on my ear during the evening.

How does the hot water bottle work for you SXM? I'd pour hot water in the ear if someone says it works for them...(j/k)!

[SXMGirl]

Originally Posted by jacq63

How does the hot water bottle work for you SXM? I'd pour hot water in the ear if someone says it works for them...(j/k)!

The hot water bottle works well for me. I usually take 2 Aleve if the pain is really uncomfortable. At first I thought I had allergies, but the hot water bottle does it for me.

[jacq63]

Ok...with mine there's no actual pain with it though. It sounds like whatever you had is much worse. I mean, you really shouldnt have to sleep with a hot water bottle on your ear for the rest of your life.
I wonder about the allergies..it's just coming into spring here now, all sorts of little things floating around.

[2girlsand2boys]

I had something that sounds very similar a while back. My doc said my neck was misaligned (he is also a chiropractor) and fixed it with a quick snap, snap. The pulsating/fluidy feeling went away within 2 days and it has felt fine since. If they are sure it is not an infection or anything, I would consider seeing a chiro to get it checked.