Hi Doctor Mike!
Thanks for the reply. I'll tell you how this all started... (this is kind of long winded and I know Doctors hate that- but if it can help anyone else out there I'd like to go into detail a bit)
My story starts when I had a sinus infection May of 2007. I was blowing my nose pretty hard and plugging one nostril while doing so. I recall that I could hear my ear 'flapping' as I was blowing my nose but I just thought that was the sinus draining. Afterwards, I recall getting some tinnitus but that was all. I believe this is when I stared with some ear damage.
Over the course of 2 months, I felt 'off' but just kind of tired and weak. It wasn't until I went swimming and dove into the water where things really hit hard. As I was nearing the bottom of the pool- around 5 ft or so, I felt a twinge of pain in my right ear. I was fine for the rest of the day, but felt very tired and confused that night. I recall watching a movie and not being able to follow the plot. I was probably dizzy but didn't realize so.
Later that week I had some pretty strange symptoms, 24/7 vertigo, a surreal feeling like I wasn't in my body, loss of hearing, a plugged ear, a 'sshhhhh' noise in my ear, I was dizzy and off balance. I kept on bumping into things (like doorframes) and very clumsy.. I broke a few glasses in just a matter of days. I had tremors throughout my body and was incredibly anxious. I was perfectly normal before the swimming incident and didn't have any history of anxiety or depression. It's only until recently that I've observed that ear problems and anxiety seem to go hand-in hand a bit. (I digress but I just want to defend my sanity a bit
Anywho- to make a long story short I saw my GP she didn't relate this to ear at all. I didn't really make the connection to swimming except to think that I had water in my ear. My Dr. checked my ears and they appeared to be fine.
What I did next was really stupid- but I found myself at my chiropractorÃÔ office later that week. I was complaining about my ear and she offered to do an 'ear adjustment' where she pulled the tops of my ears really firm and fast in order to 'open the estuation' tubes and relive the pressure. so she did that and both my ears popped very loud. I was fine until I got home then immediately felt awful. I panicked, called 911 and waited for an ambulance as it felt like I was having a stroke. I'm sure I was massively dizzy but I also had weakness in my face, muscle tremor going down my neck, double vision plus I couldnÃÕ even speak as it felt like it was laboured and I was slurring my speech.
I was briefly checked out at the hospital and I am assuming that the dr. just thought I had some sort of panic attack. I told him of my ear damage theory and he basically wrote it off but suggested that I follow up with an ENT.
Later that week, drop attacks of vertigo started. It usually hit at night and I'd have so the spins so bad I'd be close to throwing up. Each attack improved and over the course of several weeks, I didn't have as extreme attacks. My dizziness changed from a more outwards dizziness to an inner dizziness... I guess I was compensating from the ear damage.
I also observed that as my symptoms worsen, I'd have fluid dripping down the back of my throat. I assumed it was sinus but now I realize it's CSF.
Over the course of months- years really- I have bounced from Dr. to Dr. Most seem to not accept the idea of a PLF at all. After my own research and from speaking to others, I have come to realized that I have either a PLF and or a CSF leak in my ear. If when I have suggested this, they seem to dispute it and pass of my ear adjustment and swimming injury as coincidence.
To the defence of my doctors I have had nothing show up on tests.. My balance testing has been 'normal' and there was a slight indication on a VEMP test but it all depends how the specialist reads it and what they determine as 'normal' and such.
I did travel to New Jersey to see an ENT who specializes in PLFs. He did a glycerine test and TMD test as well as listened to my symptoms and such... he determined that I most likely have a PLF and that I was in need of surgery.
Luckily, I did find an Otolarantolgist nearby who listened to my story and agreed that the swimming incident is related to my ear issues. He has agreed to do exploratory surgery and patch the oval and round window regardless of finding a PLF. I hold out hope that this will work as I'm exhausted from dealing with this and just want to live life normally again.
I started following a fistula protocol in hopes that my wound would heal or improve in May of 2008. I did make a great improvement but I relapse if I over-do things again. Something as simple as a sneeze tends to set me back. I am still following these guidelines but if I stray, I get worse. Recently, I was in a situation where I was forced to pick up my son and *boom* all the symptoms came back from that one thing.
Anyways, I am left with these symptoms- attacks of vertigo or dizziness, ear fullness, tinnitus, hearing loss (seems to fluctuate some or just worsen), fatigue, fluid draining down my throat, when the fluid flows I get headaches, brain fog, pins and needles in my legs/arms, visual disturbances like flickering vision. I improve with bedrest and get worse with activity.
I'm hoping that this surgery will provide some clues and fix my ear... it seems to most scuba divers seem to be more familar with PLFs and find a knowledgable Dr. for help. Hopefully there aren't too many others who have gone through the same ordeal as me and to the same extenet.
I just hope that my recovery goes smooth. I take care of my 2 kids full-time and I worry about how I'll be able to handle things post-op and that's why I was looking for some feedback about what to expect.
Regards,
Christine
