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Hello, 2 problems I was hoping for input on.
My youngest son was dx'd with eustatian tube dysfunction (etd) the end of June (no previous problems prior - we took a long driving trip and his ears wouldn't "pop" when we changed elevations causing him EXTREME pain). We tried various things but really thought the problem would stop once we got home. Still complaining about swallowing, flicking his ears, needing reassurance 3 months later and even said "my hearing is broke." Got him a referral to ENT and nothing seen visually when looking into his ears and we are set to get a specialized hearing exam soon. As far as the etd he prescribed an ointment he wanted me to put on his nares 3-4 times a day because he said he had severe dry crusting in his nose and that was perpetuating the etd. I asked if Vaseline would do and he said he doesn't recommend petroleum-based products at all. I pick up the cream and am disgusted to find it is Bacitracin. This is an antibiotic cream for impetigo and in the package insert it says not to put it in the nose! I threw it away.
We use a humidifier, but sad to say the ENT doc didn't even bring that up. Walt, did anything he did or said during this appointment, aside from setting up a hearing eval, make any sense or do any good?
Secondly, I hit my pinky toe on a door frame some 4 - 5 weeks ago or so. My first thought when it happened was "dang, I broke it again!" (did that before when I was younger). But the pain wasn't too severe so I blew it off and did all right, however, I'm concerned because I'm still hurting with movement in the joint of the toe connecting to the foot - moving out to the side, up or down hurts some and also there is some tenderness on that joint bone when walking barefoot on hard surfaces that I didn't have even 2 weeks ago.
Since I can move it, is there anything to be done but wait it out and hope for the best? Do you think it will be "normal" in time?
In Reply to: eustatian tube dysfunction - AND - pinky toe injury posted by kmd on October 02, 2001 at 01:22:49:
Hi, kmd.
First: if his diagnosis is correct (just from his history it is most likely correct), with the symptoms this child has, there is fluid behind the eardrum (for certain) and that is easily visible with an otoscope ("Nothing seen visually???")!
Next, since he is trying to deal with "crusting" only an ointment base (something oily) would help. Even cheap old mineral oil would do it. To use an antibiotic cream is ludicrous since a cream will not help (no oily base) and the antibiotic is useless except to develop a population of resistant bacteria in the nose (Which is why the lable says not to use it in the nose.)
In the future, until his allergy causing the ETD is dealt with, use 0.05% oxymetazoline hydrochloride drops (in the nose--in the ear position) 15 minutes before the pressure change and it will last for at least 8 hours). No more pain!
WHO IS THIS GUY ANYHOW? Have you checked his credentials? He couldn't be an MD without knowing at least this much!
His hearing exam will show 30% hearing loss in the involved ear(s). This is exactly what he would hear underwater which is precisely how he is hearing (through the fluid behind his drums). He knows that but just ordered the test to get you out of his office. If you are wise, you will never again enter it. As soon as the fliud is gone (which he could not even see--something every first year medical student could do) the hearing will return at once.
So far as the pinky injury: The only thing done for even a fracture is to put gauze between that toe and the next one and tape them together with paper tape; changed after it gets wet each time and kept in place for about 4-6 weeks. IF it is seriously discolored, that is probably a good idea.
Let us know how you do and get your child out of this guy's clutches.
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: eustatian tube dysfunction - AND - pinky toe injury (Archive in ears.) posted by Walt Stoll on October 03, 2001 at 08:21:22:
Thanks Walt! As far as I know, the (military) doc that saw my son was an MD who specializes in ear-nose-throat. The visit was free under our health plan which is a good thing because I already wasted my money on gas to drive to his office!
Of all the times I have brought my little guy in (ER on our trip, and twice to the ped here), each doc has seen the fluid present in the ear and this specialist is the only one why claims to see nothing.
You are speaking of the active ingredient in Afrin - I have the spray but I've not heard of using it as "drops" and I'm not familiar with using it "in the ear position". Can you clarify drops or spray and this position? We will certainly use this before taking any driving trips with him from now on!!
Still haven't gotten his hearing appointment but will be interested to see what they find. I will expect 30% loss without being concerned since you explained it to me.
As for the toe, it isn't discolored, so I guess I'll leave it be and wait it out. I'm just hoping that it won't be permanently uncomfortable.
Thanks again!
In Reply to: Re: eustatian tube dysfunction - AND - pinky toe injury (Archive in ears.) posted by kmd on October 03, 2001 at 16:51:12:
Hi, kmd.
The protocol for using the drops "in the ear position" takes a long type. SO, I am sure that I would have archived it in the ear archive.
If I am wrong, let me know since I will have to do it again.
Walt
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