Hello Everyone

I have a few questions:

I have been having trouble lately with my Tinnitus varing from one day or week to the next when I went to the doctor I had gotten fluid behind my ear drum and I was put on sudafed and a steroid nasal spray.

Returning this week it seems to have gone (but I still feel it isnt fully clear! And ears still feels full) but as I am struggaling so much he is re-sending me to ENT (I was there 3 years ago but dismissed as they didn’t see any reason or problems!)

I have also been experiencing clicking, crackling, fluttering, pain in my ear, popping of the right side of my jaw, crunching when opening jaw, stiff neck and tight shoulders.

Is it possible that I could have ETD (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction) ? Which is caused by maybe TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)? Which could be making the change of pitch tinnitus?

I am awaiting for my referal to ENT. But I have managed to get in to my dentist next week which I don’t think is a TMJ specialist but does check your jaw joint via xrays and your bite etc?

The problem I have is this is an extra appointment to my check up in January and this could cost me for nothing if they cant help – would you go to the appointment next week or wait for your check up and ask the question then?

If it is TMJ or not would a chiropractor also help?

Sorry for all the questions I just need to hear your views and advice on my problems as to how to go about finding out if it is TMJ with out costing me a fortune I am willing to pay its just hard to no which way to go around this! Do I just wait for ENT appointment and then go down the TMJ route?

Also what type of specialist am i looking for regarding TMJ and also the correct chiroprator as i know its all linked??

Your help, advice, experiences and views would be welcome and appriciated.

Many Thanks

Alana

Hello Alana, I have nearly the same symptoms as you and understand it can get you down. For me sometimes there is no noise, other times it sounds like quiet water running, hissing more so in the right ear. When I breathe in with my mouth closed my ears crackle and there is a dullness again more so in the right ear and sometimes feels like someone is forcing a cork screw down it. After trying so many different things and having a frustrating experience with the NHS (who think they're doing you a favour), I saw a head, neck, ent specialist up in London and seemed to think it was a cervical problem, so he referred me to orthopaedics and they gave me an MRI of the neck. I phoned 2 weeks later regarding the outcome, they said they had the results, but couldn't discuss it till I see the specialist on 29th March 2010. I'm getting itchy feet now, I'm wondering if I should thake the chance and see an upper cervical chiropractor sooner. I'm suspecting I have a misaligned atlas, which is located at the top of the spine. I suspected it to be a lot of other things prior. You may have the same yourself? Have you had a strain, a fall, a neck or head injury?

Hello
Yes about 4 yrs ago nov 2005 i was in a car accident and suffered whiplash at the time i dont remember having T but after a night out in Jan 2006 i remember saying to someone some wks after how my ears were ringing slightly not sure if its all linked ive kind of resigned to the fact my t was from noice enduced after years of clubbing as i always had rining in my ears for a few days after or wks but it must of gone as its only been the last 3 yrs since a night out new year 2007 ive had t and i notice it alot i could of had it before and just ignored it not knowing what it is. My earing test says my earing is normal with no loss? and with keep having bloked up ears and other symtons i just put down to getting older or just normality of your body having an off day. But with all this thats what make me think i should have TMJ looked in to just to rule it out.

I went to a chiropractor over xmas as i hav suffered with a bad back since the accident i always put it down to to much exercise and bad mattese but he has told me i do have some problems at the top of my neck on the left side a bit lower in my neck on the right and lower back so he is starting work with me next week. Im a bit sceptical as it cost cash for this and im hoping he helps me as he is only a local chriopractor nothing special.

Keep me posted on how your mri has gone as i have been re-affered to the ENT just waiting for an appointment. Let me know how your results go id wait i know its a long way off or if you want do as i did go for a consoltation at the chiropractors the do all tests and if the do pin point what you think then bingo!!

Hello Alana, I had a bad fall on new years day 2009 and I think I suffered whiplash because of it. I have been not feeling my old self since with bouts of depression with temporal headaches too, have you had these symptoms? ? Look up Heidi Grant she is a specialist upper cervical chiropractor, though costly she charges £540 for consultation, xrays and 2 treatments. And £55 per treatment afterwards