PLUGGED EARS _ DEATH IN FAMILY

[cityboy]

I have been suffering with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (plugged ears, fullness) since October 2009.  I have been to my id doctor, 4 Ear Nose and Throat guys, 2 are well known in NYC. I have tried cortesteroid sprays, etc etc.  Am beginning to feel hopeless and extremely depressed.  I don't know if any of you have expereinced this and can help.  I have researched for days everything I could on the internet.   I try to be positive, but my friends are dismissing me when I talk to this and even say u have to learn to live with it it may be permanent.  My id doc says that being HIV positive is no the cause.  I have been positive since July 2007 and take Reyataz, Norvir and Truvada.  I am in good health otherwise.  Then on January 28, 2009 my mom died from an accident.  I feel so lost.  I was just sitting here thinking why am I alive, why is God doing this to me?  I don't even leave the house for the last few days.  Just wish to be dead.  I feel there is no hope to cure this problem, and the person who has loved me the most is gone. 

[poet]

Sorry to learn of your recent hearing problem and the frustration you are having in finding a cause and solution.  That said, I would separate out the two things, your hearing problem and your mental health issues which you seem to do in the last line of your post.  Mental health issues need a good mental health doctor to diagnose and prescribe.  That done, you should be able to approach the hearing issue or deal with it as currently the only physical problem you post having. 

[justus35]

PLEASE  HANG IN THERE , I FEEL THE SAME WAY AS YOU , MY MOM PASSED AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY IN 2007 AND I FOUND OUT I WAS HIV POSITIVE A MONTH LATER SO I FEEL YOUR PAIN ,I ACTUALLY REALLY DIDN'T DEAL WITH THE HIV STUFF BECUASE I WAS STILL GREIVING OVER MY MOM ,AND I STILL HAVE DAYS WHEN I HAVE TO MAKE MYSELF GET OUT OF THE BED BUT I DO IT SINCE I KNOW MY MOM WOULDNT WANT ME TO BE LIKE THIS , IT WILL GET EASIER BUT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET  MY MOM WAS MY BEST FREIND ,AND I STILL CANT BELIEVE SHE IS GONE , BUT WHEN  I THINK THAT I CAN GO ON, MY MOM IS SAYING YES YOU CAN AND YOU WILL , BEST OF LUCK ,AND BE BLESSED!

[cityboy]

PLEASE  HANG IN THERE , I FEEL THE SAME WAY AS YOU , MY MOM PASSED AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY IN 2007 AND I FOUND OUT I WAS HIV POSITIVE A MONTH LATER SO I FEEL YOUR PAIN ,I ACTUALLY REALLY DIDN'T DEAL WITH THE HIV STUFF BECUASE I WAS STILL GREIVING OVER MY MOM ,AND I STILL HAVE DAYS WHEN I HAVE TO MAKE MYSELF GET OUT OF THE BED BUT I DO IT SINCE I KNOW MY MOM WOULDNT WANT ME TO BE LIKE THIS , IT WILL GET EASIER BUT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET  MY MOM WAS MY BEST FREIND ,AND I STILL CANT BELIEVE SHE IS GONE , BUT WHEN  I THINK THAT I CAN GO ON, MY MOM IS SAYING YES YOU CAN AND YOU WILL , BEST OF LUCK ,AND BE BLESSED!

My Mom always was positive, never complained and was a wonderful person. Just a very simple down to earth woman.  I had just lost my dad to cancer a few years before.  I always spoke to my father about the rough things.   I understand what you mean about the hiv stuff.  I am just now coming to terms with it.  I am now able to look a doctor in the face and tell him I am positive. 

[BT65]

Cityboy, I'm very sorry regarding your tremendous loss of your mother.  Both my parents died within the last 3 years, so I can relate.  Just hang in there, and see a professional perhaps to deal with your grief effectively.

[phildinftlaudy]

Hi Cityboy:
Sorry about ur loss and ur grief --- hopefully it will get easier to deal with as time goes on.  What are they doing for your plugged ear condition?  Is it a definitive diagnosis?  Have you had a syphillis titer done?  I only ask because shortly before being diagnosed positive I lost my hearing in one ear and went and got a hearing aid.  I was then diagnosed by a different doc as having syph.  an MRI showed my ear loss related to an infection (they originally thought I might have some type of tumor because it was so sudden).  After receiving treatment for the syph -- my hearing returned to normal --- it was from Stage 2 syph.  And I was stuck with a $2,500 hearing aid.  So, if u have a definitive diagnosis then follow docs treatment recs -- if u have never been checked for syph - make sure they do that --- at any rate, keep sharing about ur loss and know that others have been where u are and have made it thru....

[Theyer]

Dear Cityboy,

Down  to Earth people are the best , Take Care

love
m

[tednlou2]

Cityboy,

You are going through a lot right now--being HIV poz, ear problems, and loss of your mom.  I'm very sorry to hear about your mom.  I don't think anyone can tell you anything to make that easier.  Give the ear issue more time to see if it clears up.  If regular docs can't find anything, consider a chiropractor.  It is amazing what a pinched nerve or something can cause physically.  How long have you been depressed?  I suffered with depression even before HIV.  When my depression gets bad, I notice my ears are affected.  They pop a lot and will clog up now and then.  When I told docs about this, they dismissed it.  Well, they say depression can cause all sorts of physical things.  Again, this happened before HIV.  It sounds like you have major issues in the ears and not just popping and occasional clogging.

I guess what I'm saying is to keep looking for an answer.  You worried me about some of the things you said about wishing to be dead.  If the docs cannot find a reason, maybe consider something like a pinched nerve or depression.  I know it may sound far fetched, but ya never know.  Just keep looking for an answer.  Maybe you're having a reaction to meds or something they are missing like some viral thing. 

Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.

[Lou-ah-vull]

Have you been checked by your ENT for Meniere's Disease.  This is completely unrelated to HIV, but the classic symptoms are:  hearing loss, fullness in ears that does not go away, tinnitus (persistent ringing or roaring) and balance issues.  I have Meniere's.  It cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be treated with a daily diuretic and a low salt diet.  It does need diagnosis by an ENT.  Maybe this will help.

[Atripla_User]

i don't have a name for a disease to give you, but my ENT told me it is common in HIV to have ear problems. Even if your not on medicine it can happen. Mine was helped and cleared up pretty well by getting ear tubes. They vaccumed out the mucus and put tiny tubes in, gave me potent, infection killing ear drops and I also took antibiotics. it cleared it up. I still have trouble with it 5 years now, but I've had 2 sets of tubes, and tiny permanant holes in my ear drums. So they regulate air pressure and let fluid drain better now. But you can't get inside your ears wet, or you will cause more infection. Its worth it though to be able to HEAR......So go see an ENT and also make sure you are clear of the other disease too. Keep us posted !!!!!  Good luck, and BE PATIENT. You will be o.k. if you just see this through.

[cityboy]

Have you been checked by your ENT for Meniere's Disease.  This is completely unrelated to HIV, but the classic symptoms are:  hearing loss, fullness in ears that does not go away, tinnitus (persistent ringing or roaring) and balance issues.  I have Meniere's.  It cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be treated with a daily diuretic and a low salt diet.  It does need diagnosis by an ENT.  Maybe this will help.

No Meniere's , only have fullness, thanks to God,  hearing is fine just slight loss on right side at whisper tone-is no big deal.  Is called Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.  I am sorry to know you have Meniere's i understand how difficult this must be to cope with.  My prayers to you!!

[cityboy]

i don't have a name for a disease to give you, but my ENT told me it is common in HIV to have ear problems. Even if your not on medicine it can happen. Mine was helped and cleared up pretty well by getting ear tubes. They vaccumed out the mucus and put tiny tubes in, gave me potent, infection killing ear drops and I also took antibiotics. it cleared it up. I still have trouble with it 5 years now, but I've had 2 sets of tubes, and tiny permanant holes in my ear drums. So they regulate air pressure and let fluid drain better now. But you can't get inside your ears wet, or you will cause more infection. Its worth it though to be able to HEAR......So go see an ENT and also make sure you are clear of the other disease too. Keep us posted !!!!!  Good luck, and BE PATIENT. You will be o.k. if you just see this through.

I have seen 4 ENT's, and am leaving tubes as a last resort.  Can you explain what you say regarding ear problems being common to HIV positive people.  My ENT said it had nothing to do with being positive.  I am just wondering why the difference of opinion.  I am also wondering if this is related to HIV, then why more people have no say anything in this forum.  Seems unusual.  I was also told that I have no fluid in my ears.  This may be due to allergies, I was told.

[cityboy]

Cityboy,

You are going through a lot right now--being HIV poz, ear problems, and loss of your mom.  I'm very sorry to hear about your mom.  I don't think anyone can tell you anything to make that easier.  Give the ear issue more time to see if it clears up.  If regular docs can't find anything, consider a chiropractor.  It is amazing what a pinched nerve or something can cause physically.  How long have you been depressed?  I suffered with depression even before HIV.  When my depression gets bad, I notice my ears are affected.  They pop a lot and will clog up now and then.  When I told docs about this, they dismissed it.  Well, they say depression can cause all sorts of physical things.  Again, this happened before HIV.  It sounds like you have major issues in the ears and not just popping and occasional clogging.

I guess what I'm saying is to keep looking for an answer.  You worried me about some of the things you said about wishing to be dead.  If the docs cannot find a reason, maybe consider something like a pinched nerve or depression.  I know it may sound far fetched, but ya never know.  Just keep looking for an answer.  Maybe you're having a reaction to meds or something they are missing like some viral thing. 

Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.

Usually I am a very happy dude.  Death of mom was a lot to handle especially since it just happened just like that with no warning. I am a little depressed, but dealing with it.   Yes I am looking for solutions, and I am currently going to a chiropractor and will go to accupunturist next. I felt a little relief with the chiropractor-has hope.   I am also trying some holistic things which someone in a chat room recommended.  I have had an MRI done to check for tumor and will schedule to go back to this ENT for results.  I have also located 2 of the best ENTs, one who is a student of the other guy.  I will have to travel to Conneticut to see him, so I will leave this for a while, since I have other avenues to go down first.  Thanks-stay in touch. :-)

[cityboy]

Hi Cityboy:
Sorry about ur loss and ur grief --- hopefully it will get easier to deal with as time goes on.  What are they doing for your plugged ear condition?  Is it a definitive diagnosis?  Have you had a syphillis titer done?  I only ask because shortly before being diagnosed positive I lost my hearing in one ear and went and got a hearing aid.  I was then diagnosed by a different doc as having syph.  an MRI showed my ear loss related to an infection (they originally thought I might have some type of tumor because it was so sudden).  After receiving treatment for the syph -- my hearing returned to normal --- it was from Stage 2 syph.  And I was stuck with a $2,500 hearing aid.  So, if u have a definitive diagnosis then follow docs treatment recs -- if u have never been checked for syph - make sure they do that --- at any rate, keep sharing about ur loss and know that others have been where u are and have made it thru....

thanks for you support.  I have gone to 4 ents.  They say to hydrate with more water, continue with Mucinex.  I have begun to take soe holistic medicines that I saw from a chat room on the web.  I also am seeing a chiropractor, since some of the problem may be caused by discs in my neck.  I will definetely check for syphilliis, although I dont think I have that, but you never know!  the diagnosis is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, thanks to God, no hearing loss, just in right ear they say I did no get the whisper tones that good, but they say could be from listening to music too loud.  I am sorry to learn of you situation.  My prayers to you!!!

[Atripla_User]

I have seen 4 ENT's, and am leaving tubes as a last resort.  Can you explain what you say regarding ear problems being common to HIV positive people.  My ENT said it had nothing to do with being positive.  I am just wondering why the difference of opinion.  I am also wondering if this is related to HIV, then why more people have no say anything in this forum.  Seems unusual.  I was also told that I have no fluid in my ears.  This may be due to allergies, I was told.

different doctors will tell you different things. I was brushed off by the first doctor and then the 2nd and 3rd helped me a lot. You might have mucus in your ear, not fluid. Mine had to be vaccumed out it was so thick, very geletin like my doc told me. When it gets that thick, it could lead to what they call glue ear if not taken out.