Balloon Therapy for blocked ears

[baitedstorm]

:11: Just got home from the doctor’s office, yet another ear infection has set in.... (bummer) My doctor says I might have Eustachian tube deficiency. Of course hearing that kind of freaked me out seeing how I’m planning on taking my IDC/IE at the end of the year and don't need or want this hassel. I asked what could be done to fix this problem, the doctor’s reply, “micro surgery” (yikes), I asked if there was any other treatment we could try before getting so radical with treatment, she told me in the past she had worked with another doctor down in Hollywood, Fl who used something he called, “balloon therapy”. (By this time I’m looking at her like she’s a totally nut, at least until she explained it to me.) Evidently, this doctor had many children with difficulties draining their Eustachian tubes; he found that by blowing into a balloon forced the “flap” of the Eustachian tube to open and drain, or something along that line (I'm certainly no doctor, just telling it like I heard). Anyways, I’m not sure how well this is going to work but I’m certainly going to give it a shot.... Will keep you updated on the progress, keep your fingers crossed.

BTW, has anyone ever heard of this before?

 

[Mako Mark]

Yep, my ex gf used to have a big equalizing prob and as a DM she would dive to about 70 ft without equalizing, I guess she juststretched her eardrums.

She had the balloon treatment along with some type of steriod when the therapy first came out.

It worked a treat, and the jokes about balloons filled with snot kept us amused for ages

 

[crpntr133]

If memory serves me right that is one of the things that is discussed in this video.

http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.asp?rid=789

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

I have a lot of trouble with my ears. I have to work my jaw all day to try to keep 'em open. Even driving downhill I've had to pull over a few times until I can get my ears to clear.

When I first read your thread title, I was thinking it was going to be about inserting a balloon and inflating it, like is done for arteries. Maybe an angioplasty (SP?) for the tubes?

Oh well, guess I'll have to try the balloon thing as described...

 

[miguel sanz]

Yes, it´s kind of angioplastia but on eustachian tube.
But Baitedstorm, was the infection after a barotrauma? have you had many? of course I supose it´s not an outer ear infection, and what was the treatment you got?

 

[SDAnderson]

Sorry for your troubles - I experienced something like this many years ago and had the surgery, which worked out fine for me. I'm sure techniques have improved since the stone age when I was having this problem, please keep us posted on your progress since there are lots of folks rowing in the same boat with you.

 

[baitedstorm]

Yes, it´s kind of angioplastia but on eustachian tube.
But Baitedstorm, was the infection after a barotrauma? have you had many? of course I supose it´s not an outer ear infection, and what was the treatment you got?

I have had at about ten infections in my right ear since the barotrauma occurred Dec 31, 2003. I've been treated with antibiotic, steroids (2x's), Afrin, and decongestion tablets. Here's how it works, I dive dive dive ( about 60 dives in the last 5 months), and two days later I end up pretty dang sore in my right ear. I take the antibiotics (until gone ) I’m good for a week or two, then the problem repeats. The last time it got really terrible, the doctor said the Eustachian tube just wasn't draining so he put me on the steroid pack, and penicillin... worked wonderfully. This time, I just expressed how sick and tired I was of going through this and wanted it to stop. The balloon therapy is no more than me blowing up a balloon "SLOWLY" with my mouth. (sorry for all the confusion, I really should have worded it a little better)It did hurt a little bit when I did it the first few times, but so far, I haven't had the need for the Clairton D. I ran this treatment by my Instructor today and he found it pretty amusing but thought I should keep doing it to see what happens. I just hear so much about clearing problems and thought this might be something other people might want to research for themselves. My fingers are still crossed. I’ll keep the post updated with the results...

BTW : thanks crpntr133 for the video link, awesome footage but not exactly the same therapy.

 

[miguel sanz]

Ahh! that sounds better! I hope it works and you can get back to watter soon. good luck and be carefull on decents.

 

[drwendy]

CRPNTR, thanks for the link to that great seminar. I've always had a horrible time equalizing, but that doc gives me some hope. I'm currently suffering (a week after the dive) from something that the docs can't seem to decide if it's external infection alone (I know that's there, the green pus dripping out of my right ear was the clue), middle ear infection or barotrauma. After 2 shallow dives last week with no trouble equalizing (thanks to sudafed), 2 days later I had excruciating pain in my right ear down to my upper jaw. The doc that day said my tympanum was bulging but external ear looked fine. He gave me antibiotics which I took, and codeine for the pain which I gobbled like candy (we're talking PAIN), but 2 days later the pus started. The ENT suctioned that out and said that my eardrum looked fine, it was all external. The DAN medic I spoke to said it sounded like barotrauma (but that was before the green pus attack). So I haven't a clue how to prevent this next time, or what to do, but I have a week in Coz coming up in 2 months and I sure don't want it ruined by this.

I'm hoping to see an ENT here at home this week and maybe get some answers, and I'm planning on staying dry until Mexico to give me the best chance of healing.

Happy diving!

 

[baitedstorm]

drwendy,
Please go see a different ENT, couldn't hurt! Just for a second opinion. Anything dripping out of your ear is a bad bad thing. With my barotrauma, the first doctor missed it (even though there was still blood in the ear) by about 11pm that day the pain was so intense my husband took me to the ER, the doc took one look and said definitely barotrauma gave my one great big shot of pain meds in the rear end (ouch) antibiotics and the name of an ENT to see the next morning.
I hope all works out for you, I know the horror of the pain your going through. Let us know how things turn out.
Good luck!
Vickie