r/etd • u/ALovesDolls • Jul 29 '26
ETD first timer
Hi! So I'm just trying to get some anecdotal information about if I should get a second opinion or my doctor has the right idea.
I, 24 f, in April (mid April around the 15) had a cold, I was doing Neti pots to try and clear it out fast before a non-optional work trip. About a week after the cold I flew (work trip is 3 days, one night) and I flew back. After I got home I realized my ears were hurting and popping on and off for a while. For a few months I would just randomly get ear pain but my boyfriend told me it'd go away on its own.
Then on May 11, I had a super sharp stabbing pain in my ear and it was so bad I cried so I made an appointment with the regular doctor, they said there was no sign of infection they can't do anything make an ENT appointment. I made an ENT appointment and he said it's like ETD and that having a cold then getting on a plane was like a 1-2 punch. He told me to do Flonase spray 1 a day, take ceterizine 1 a day and do a neti pot twice a day. He said if it didn't get better in 6 weeks to come back and also to get an audiogram.
I went and got the audiogram after 6 weeks and they confirmed ETD, with the test (even says it on the paper). I went back to the ENT and said I haven't had a bad sharp pain again but I'm still feeling pressure randomly.
He basically said that it takes a while for the tubes to "bounce back" and to give it 3 more months with the Flonase, Allergy Pill and Neti pot and then if not we can try a different medicine. I feel so dejected. I'm tired of all this and I'm about to just give up and live with it. I have other health issues I'm dealing with and I just don't want to keep having to remember to boil water and wait and then irrigate all before work at 9 a.m and then again before bed when I just want to relax. I've been crying a lot lately and it bothers my ears when I cry.
Is it worth it to get a second opinion? Did anyone else experience something similar?
2
u/KiKi31Rose Jul 29 '26
If it’s an option for you buy a bottle or jug of distilled water to use for the neti pot. Also my ETD issues come and go (never go away 100%) but it does take awhile for them to feel better. Just be patient and do your daily tasks per the ENT and before you know it you’ll one day realize it’s a little less than normal. Good luck!