Feeling miserable after an operation
Discussion
WongJr said:
Hope you are well OP, I’ve had ear surgery many times to have cholesteatoma removed, and it was caused when the Eustachian tubes didn’t work correctly when I was growing up. It’s very painful when I’ve had it done so I understand what you’ve gone through. Hope all is well and you don't have to have it done again!
Thanks for your kind words!How are things for you after those procedures?
Pain has settled down now but everything else remains including really annoying tinnitus, but it's early days and only been 4 hours or so since it was removed.
I'll not be having any more surgeries unless really necessary. I'll just be happy if I don't have the issue with low frequency noises!
Cheers Ross. I should have the results in around 3 weeks or so.
I'm feeling a bit more positive. I'm not 100%, but I'm managing better. I am still affected by low frequency noises but at the moment it is less intrusive. I am just trying not to get my hopes up.
I also still have very bad tinnitus in both ears, especially my right ear, and when I hear loudish noises or scratch my head etc, I get a flutter type sound in my right ear. I also get it if I have a headset on my left ear only and noise comes through it. Hopefully that will dissipate in time as it is pretty irritating lol.
I'm feeling a bit more positive. I'm not 100%, but I'm managing better. I am still affected by low frequency noises but at the moment it is less intrusive. I am just trying not to get my hopes up.
I also still have very bad tinnitus in both ears, especially my right ear, and when I hear loudish noises or scratch my head etc, I get a flutter type sound in my right ear. I also get it if I have a headset on my left ear only and noise comes through it. Hopefully that will dissipate in time as it is pretty irritating lol.
Im still getting the echo, plus I also have the issue with any sounds now that if loud enough, trigger a kind of flutter in my ears. The specialist said it is something to do with the muscles above the eustachian tube and that a lot of people aren't aware of the movements, but I am. I'm not sure but we will see.
I have an appointment a week tomorrow to see the hearing therapist, who will be unhappy with me, but I haven't needed to do what she told me to do, and I have an appointment the following Tuesday to get my CT scan results.
I am hoping that the flutter in my ears settles down. It is irritating! That and the constant tinnitus too. However, I can report, that upto now, the whole reason for having the operation (autophony in my left ear) hasn't happened since the hole in my ear drum healed up on Friday. Last time I had this procedure it lasted for 10 days, so we will see what happens.
I have an appointment a week tomorrow to see the hearing therapist, who will be unhappy with me, but I haven't needed to do what she told me to do, and I have an appointment the following Tuesday to get my CT scan results.
I am hoping that the flutter in my ears settles down. It is irritating! That and the constant tinnitus too. However, I can report, that upto now, the whole reason for having the operation (autophony in my left ear) hasn't happened since the hole in my ear drum healed up on Friday. Last time I had this procedure it lasted for 10 days, so we will see what happens.
So 3 months and a week or so after the operation, where are we?
I still have tinnitus in both ears. I think it is quieter now in my right ear than it was.
I still have the flutter in my right ear, but also in my left ear. Things like scratching my head, my chin, typing on the keyboard, plates being put on top of one another etc set the flutter off. As does talking (my own voice) and others. The ENT believes it is a muscle twitch above the Eustachian tube. It may go away, it may not.
I still have sensitivity to low frequency noises in my right ear, though this has improved. When I am outside I don't often pick it up as much, its more when I am inside, I guess it is because it is more concentrated. I am hoping it may go away still.
I no longer seem to have the pressure build up when going up hills. I managed a drive out to somewhere I haven't manged to go without the build up, and I didn't really notice any.
My left eustachian tube still does go open, but only when I am very hot it seems. This I can live with. The CT scan showed it was closed, so there is nothing else he is able to, or needs to do right now.
So where do I go from here?
I've been discharged by the ENT. He is happy to see me again if needs be, but as things stand he can do no more, especially as at the moment I do not want my right ear touching. I am going to take a view on it over the next 6 to 12 months.
So my current plans for my future are to lose some weight (at least 3 stone, I weigh too much right now and need to be healthier). First step is to get thin in the kitchen. This MAY trigger more autophony in my left and right ear as I lose weight, as it is believed to be one of the triggers.
I've booked a holiday for October. Life has to go on.
How do I feel?
I still have good and bad days. I'm letting it bother me less I guess. As I said to the hearing therapist on Tuesday (next appointment in 6 months), it is what it is.
Lets see how things progress in 6 months time.
Thanks for reading, everyone.
I still have tinnitus in both ears. I think it is quieter now in my right ear than it was.
I still have the flutter in my right ear, but also in my left ear. Things like scratching my head, my chin, typing on the keyboard, plates being put on top of one another etc set the flutter off. As does talking (my own voice) and others. The ENT believes it is a muscle twitch above the Eustachian tube. It may go away, it may not.
I still have sensitivity to low frequency noises in my right ear, though this has improved. When I am outside I don't often pick it up as much, its more when I am inside, I guess it is because it is more concentrated. I am hoping it may go away still.
I no longer seem to have the pressure build up when going up hills. I managed a drive out to somewhere I haven't manged to go without the build up, and I didn't really notice any.
My left eustachian tube still does go open, but only when I am very hot it seems. This I can live with. The CT scan showed it was closed, so there is nothing else he is able to, or needs to do right now.
So where do I go from here?
I've been discharged by the ENT. He is happy to see me again if needs be, but as things stand he can do no more, especially as at the moment I do not want my right ear touching. I am going to take a view on it over the next 6 to 12 months.
So my current plans for my future are to lose some weight (at least 3 stone, I weigh too much right now and need to be healthier). First step is to get thin in the kitchen. This MAY trigger more autophony in my left and right ear as I lose weight, as it is believed to be one of the triggers.
I've booked a holiday for October. Life has to go on.
How do I feel?
I still have good and bad days. I'm letting it bother me less I guess. As I said to the hearing therapist on Tuesday (next appointment in 6 months), it is what it is.
Lets see how things progress in 6 months time.
Thanks for reading, everyone.
Thanks Ross. I am certainly better than I was 4 weeks ago. I don't think I will ever right again, and I would still take being how I was before the operation to how I am now, but time will tell I suppose!
It is annoying that I get the flutter though. TBH that is more annoying than anything else. If I am on the phone and its on my left ear, I still get the flutter in my right ear. Most odd.
It is annoying that I get the flutter though. TBH that is more annoying than anything else. If I am on the phone and its on my left ear, I still get the flutter in my right ear. Most odd.
Thought I would give a little update.
Flutter in my ear still there
Still bad tinnitus
Still suffer the sensitivity to low noise
Now have fluid in my left ear lol. I had a cold a few weeks back and it seems to have caused me an issue with the Eustachian tube. The last time this happened (not after an op) I ended up with the tube fully open. If that happens again and it doesnt make the other issues worse then I will live with it.
Flutter in my ear still there
Still bad tinnitus
Still suffer the sensitivity to low noise
Now have fluid in my left ear lol. I had a cold a few weeks back and it seems to have caused me an issue with the Eustachian tube. The last time this happened (not after an op) I ended up with the tube fully open. If that happens again and it doesnt make the other issues worse then I will live with it.
Joy of joys! I got an ear infection in my left ear middle ear) on Monday and it's pretty bad. On antibiotics and codeine. Been told to go to a&e if it gets worse, so seeing as it appears to have I may be paying a visit there today.
But it's also brought a friend. Yes I have the sensitivity to low frequency noises in my right ear again. Just fml!
But it's also brought a friend. Yes I have the sensitivity to low frequency noises in my right ear again. Just fml!
t things! Just made an appointment to go to my local out of hours centre today so let's see what they say. NiceCupOfTea said:
Just found this thread, wondering how you're doing?
I had no hearing problems whatsoever but received a trauma to my ears last November (very loud noise at close range) and they have not been right since. I have tinnitus in my left ear but also a sensitivity to medium to loud noises whereby they distort and a "full" feeling in my left ear.
It's nothing like as bad as yours but I have been up and down and I believe I am probably suffering from depression at the moment.
The only way I can deal with it is by believing that it will sort itself out in time, although it is hard to keep the faith after more than 2 months. I have seen a few people. GP who wasn't much good, still waiting for the referral! A private ENT who told me not to worry and that it would probably sort itself out, and an audiologist who suggested CBT to cope. I don't want to cope, I want my hearing back.
The rub is that I am a musician and I am finding work very hard - having to wear earplugs a lot. It's not just a job, it's who I am, not sure if I could cope without it.
I am going to see an audiologist who is an expert in tinnitus retraining therapy which can supposedly treat tinnitus and hyperacusis in a couple of weeks. To be honest I am pinning all my hopes on it and it absolutely terrifies me.
Right now I just wish I had a time machine.
Hi, sorry, I forgot all about this thread! How are you now? Did your hearing recover? Many years ago I was at a gig and didnt have any ear plugs and one of the speakers was in line with my left ear. It went very dull afterwards and I've had tinnitus ever since. My hearing did return though. I didn't notice any difference until I left the gig, weird how that happens.I had no hearing problems whatsoever but received a trauma to my ears last November (very loud noise at close range) and they have not been right since. I have tinnitus in my left ear but also a sensitivity to medium to loud noises whereby they distort and a "full" feeling in my left ear.
It's nothing like as bad as yours but I have been up and down and I believe I am probably suffering from depression at the moment.
The only way I can deal with it is by believing that it will sort itself out in time, although it is hard to keep the faith after more than 2 months. I have seen a few people. GP who wasn't much good, still waiting for the referral! A private ENT who told me not to worry and that it would probably sort itself out, and an audiologist who suggested CBT to cope. I don't want to cope, I want my hearing back.
The rub is that I am a musician and I am finding work very hard - having to wear earplugs a lot. It's not just a job, it's who I am, not sure if I could cope without it.
I am going to see an audiologist who is an expert in tinnitus retraining therapy which can supposedly treat tinnitus and hyperacusis in a couple of weeks. To be honest I am pinning all my hopes on it and it absolutely terrifies me.
Right now I just wish I had a time machine.
WinstonWolf said:
Spooky, I almost posted on this thread after a visit to ENT yesterday...
My op failed after three weeks, I'm about 90% deaf in one ear, three and a bit years into this now
On the plus side, I've got a hearing aid at the minute and I bloody love what it's done for my quality of life.
I get *exactly* how you feel, angry and probably a bit isolated if communication is more difficult than it was. I've kinda lost music and it was one of my passions but I still might get it back.
I've had tinnitus since my first op when they removed the incus, it seems to thrive in the absence of hearing. The HA helps tremendously, when I've got sound the tinnitus subsides a bit, usually to a bearable level.
My advice is to focus on how it's affecting your quality of life when you're speaking to the experts. Don't be afraid to say the options in front of you are unpalatable and ask for more. I had a *moment* in clinic when I realised the implant had failed, they understood how it was affecting me as a person and have been very good since.
Hearing problems don't just affect your ability to hear, they can affect who you are, your entire being.
You can get HA's to help with tinnitus, there is a lot of technology about now to assist.
Good luck, time often does heal...
It's either pink or white noise that can help with tinnitus I think? I don't really "notice" my tinnitus these days - OK I know it is there, but it doesn't interfere with my day. I notice it gets very loud when I am drinking alcohol though!My op failed after three weeks, I'm about 90% deaf in one ear, three and a bit years into this now
On the plus side, I've got a hearing aid at the minute and I bloody love what it's done for my quality of life.
I get *exactly* how you feel, angry and probably a bit isolated if communication is more difficult than it was. I've kinda lost music and it was one of my passions but I still might get it back.
I've had tinnitus since my first op when they removed the incus, it seems to thrive in the absence of hearing. The HA helps tremendously, when I've got sound the tinnitus subsides a bit, usually to a bearable level.
My advice is to focus on how it's affecting your quality of life when you're speaking to the experts. Don't be afraid to say the options in front of you are unpalatable and ask for more. I had a *moment* in clinic when I realised the implant had failed, they understood how it was affecting me as a person and have been very good since.
Hearing problems don't just affect your ability to hear, they can affect who you are, your entire being.
You can get HA's to help with tinnitus, there is a lot of technology about now to assist.
Good luck, time often does heal...
As we have been discussing on my other thread, how are things now?
Mani87 said:
To the Angry dog, I can see this post is pretty old but your symtoms you describe pretty much mimic mine. The only thing is I have had no ops just suffered from allergies and pressure in the ears when going over minor hills but alot worse now along with all the rest. Have you recovered from this mess? My mate told me his mum had ear trouble and doc Bottrill sorted it out when no one could.
Speak soon.
Do you suffer with your voice sounding a lot louder in your head? You could have Eustachian Tube Dysfunction rather than Disorder, but if you have any concerns I would certainly suggest asking your GP to refer you to Mr Bottrill who is based mainly at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury. Speak soon.
I recovered from it as such in September of 2015 (I say recovered, I mean more that when the grommet was removed the systems lessened to something more normal). My right Eustachian Tube started to go wide open last May so I had another op in April but it didn't work so I am back on the waiting list. Currently I have a cold which make my symptoms disappear for a while. Bliss.
Hi,
I am sorry to learn about your son developing it, it does suck. I still suffer with PET, and in the last month my sensitivity to low frequency sounds has returned, but I think this may also be related to my right ear being blocked (had a grommet in it, fell out recently, that seems to be when the issues started).
Because I have lived with PET for getting on for 24 years I am pretty used to it, but it still makes me miserable from time to time. WRT Mr Bottrill, I have nothing but good things to say about him. He is training someone else now to take over from him as he is now only part time and will at some point I am sure be looking to retire. My recommendation would be to get your son to contact his GP and ask to be referred to him. He will either see you at Stoke Mandeville or Wycombe Hospital.
Good luck!
I am sorry to learn about your son developing it, it does suck. I still suffer with PET, and in the last month my sensitivity to low frequency sounds has returned, but I think this may also be related to my right ear being blocked (had a grommet in it, fell out recently, that seems to be when the issues started).
Because I have lived with PET for getting on for 24 years I am pretty used to it, but it still makes me miserable from time to time. WRT Mr Bottrill, I have nothing but good things to say about him. He is training someone else now to take over from him as he is now only part time and will at some point I am sure be looking to retire. My recommendation would be to get your son to contact his GP and ask to be referred to him. He will either see you at Stoke Mandeville or Wycombe Hospital.
Good luck!
octavialover said:
Dear TheAngryDog.
I have just come across this listing.
My son who will be 21 had been dealing with PET in one ear for a number of years.
This has now manifest itself in his other ear and he is devastated.
I was wondering how things were with you given that the earlier postings were a few years ago now
We are trying to get an appointment with Mr Bottrill and wondered what your honest opinion of him was
As parents we are desperate to be able to do whatever we can for our son.
Any advice gratefully received.
I have just come across this listing.
My son who will be 21 had been dealing with PET in one ear for a number of years.
This has now manifest itself in his other ear and he is devastated.
I was wondering how things were with you given that the earlier postings were a few years ago now
We are trying to get an appointment with Mr Bottrill and wondered what your honest opinion of him was
As parents we are desperate to be able to do whatever we can for our son.
Any advice gratefully received.
Mojooo said:
Damn
What is your position now?
It might be worth going to see a different medial expert to get a second option or see if any other options?
I had 3 knee ops with an experienced surgeon. after the 1st one I had issues so he did a 2nd and 3rd and basically told me that was it. i stil had problems extending my leg.
i had problems for 3 or 4 years walking and went to see another surgeon - he did an op and found a bit of torn meniscus. when it was removed i could walk normally again pretty much.
My current position is that my right ear is blocked and my left ear is sensitive to sound, I believe caused by my right ear. The procedure of injecting Bioplastique into the tube isn't permanent as the body will absorb some of it, so I will always require top ups.What is your position now?
It might be worth going to see a different medial expert to get a second option or see if any other options?
I had 3 knee ops with an experienced surgeon. after the 1st one I had issues so he did a 2nd and 3rd and basically told me that was it. i stil had problems extending my leg.
i had problems for 3 or 4 years walking and went to see another surgeon - he did an op and found a bit of torn meniscus. when it was removed i could walk normally again pretty much.
In terms of seeing anyone else - there is no one else in the UK who specialises in this condition, and tbh I've always been happy with Mr Bottrill, and I am certain that I will continue to get good service from his replacement.
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