14th March 2002
Dear Nicole,
I do empathize with the blockage in your ear. Last April I woke up one morning and without warning my ears were blocked. They were blocked 24/7. I had to ask people to repeat things constantly and after a while I just gave up. I felt like I lived inside a bubble. I thought I must have an ear infection. The first doc put me on antibiotics. That didn't work. So, then I got the ear candles because I thought maybe I had a build up of wax deep in the ear canal, since I have that tendency. That didn't work. I had no idea I had TMJD although my younger sister had it a few years ago and was successfully treated. (I have also had two very jarring car accidents in the past 4 years which I'm sure didn't help matters.) Incidentally, I had braces for two years starting from the age of twelve. I'm now 38.
Anyway, I finally went to an ear specialist. He gave me steroids to take for a week. (Probably just to get me to stop whining lol) He said sometimes the steroids will help with the swelling which causes the blockage, but he told me I had TMJD needed to see an oral surgeon. I talked to my sister and she had the very same symptoms I did. I just recently found out that my medical insurance will cover this, so I'm getting a late start with treatment.
After 2 months of this ear blockage it slowly went away. I don't know what finally did the trick. I wish I could tell you. I also have allergies and a deviated septum and notice that my symptoms are worsened at the height of my allergies. I have been using Flonase, a nasal spray and that seems to help, but you need to use for a while before it helps. (That's what I've been told. It's a prescription)
I have now graduated to very painful jaws and unbearable migrane headaches, but that ear thing had me irritable 24 hours a day. I literally thought I would lose my mind.
Hang in there. You're getting a lot of valuable info. here! I'm learning too! Let me know your progress.
Good luck!
Robin :)
P.S. I've heard many theories that braces can contribute to TMJD. My other two sisters also had braces, but no TMJD. I guess the jury is still out on that one.
I do empathize with the blockage in your ear. Last April I woke up one morning and without warning my ears were blocked. They were blocked 24/7. I had to ask people to repeat things constantly and after a while I just gave up. I felt like I lived inside a bubble. I thought I must have an ear infection. The first doc put me on antibiotics. That didn't work. So, then I got the ear candles because I thought maybe I had a build up of wax deep in the ear canal, since I have that tendency. That didn't work. I had no idea I had TMJD although my younger sister had it a few years ago and was successfully treated. (I have also had two very jarring car accidents in the past 4 years which I'm sure didn't help matters.) Incidentally, I had braces for two years starting from the age of twelve. I'm now 38.
Anyway, I finally went to an ear specialist. He gave me steroids to take for a week. (Probably just to get me to stop whining lol) He said sometimes the steroids will help with the swelling which causes the blockage, but he told me I had TMJD needed to see an oral surgeon. I talked to my sister and she had the very same symptoms I did. I just recently found out that my medical insurance will cover this, so I'm getting a late start with treatment.
After 2 months of this ear blockage it slowly went away. I don't know what finally did the trick. I wish I could tell you. I also have allergies and a deviated septum and notice that my symptoms are worsened at the height of my allergies. I have been using Flonase, a nasal spray and that seems to help, but you need to use for a while before it helps. (That's what I've been told. It's a prescription)
I have now graduated to very painful jaws and unbearable migrane headaches, but that ear thing had me irritable 24 hours a day. I literally thought I would lose my mind.
Hang in there. You're getting a lot of valuable info. here! I'm learning too! Let me know your progress.
Good luck!
Robin :)
P.S. I've heard many theories that braces can contribute to TMJD. My other two sisters also had braces, but no TMJD. I guess the jury is still out on that one.