Have not been treated for lyme as of yet, but it is suspected. A new symptom for me is clogged ears. Started with one and now on to the other one. My family just thinks I am getting an ear infection, which I have never had before, but I tend to think it is related to whatever is going on in my body. Are issues with the ears lyme related by anyone else and with lyme treatment, along with all other symptoms, does it get better? Thanks, Jocelyn
Posted by Florence1 (Member # 22960) on :
yes....I used to get this ...like I had water in my ears then it would dissappear.......
I would also get clicking and tinnitus.......
the clogged feeling has gone, I still have the tinnitus to some degree.....it was definatley related to the lyme I am 6 months into treatment.......
Are you going to get tested or at least get an LLMD...things will not get better until you do that............good luck
Posted by LightAtTheEnd (Member # 24065) on :
For a few weeks, I had an intermittent electronic-like high pitched noise in my left ear. It sounded like Morse code. Seems to be gone now.
Posted by greengirl (Member # 25316) on :
I also have "clogged ears," and sometimes I hear a pulsing sound (my heart?). I did have an ear infection at one point, but that was treated and the pain went away, but I still have the clogginess going on. I've had my ears, nose and throat checked a number of times (the full/clogginess also seems to be present in my throat and nasal passage). They always look "fine," and they even measured pressure in my ears a couple times and that came back normal.
I'm awaiting my Lyme results. Still not with an LLMD, waiting to discuss with my fatigue doctor to see who he suggests, since he appears to be lyme friendly to me.
Florence gives me hope!
Posted by Florence1 (Member # 22960) on :
thanks....I went through the whole ENT thing at the beginning they said everything was fine multiple vestibular tests only one was abnormal and that was my eye tracking (its all related!)...but i was convinced because I had so many "head" symptoms.........but all was fine......
then neuros convinced me it was vestibular migraines......nothing got better at all.....then my PCP diagnosed Lyme by western blot.............
I remember clearly having hypersensitivity to sound and light......couldnt watch tv, listen to music, the sound of a key in the lock would send me reeling, peoples voices irritated my ears........that side of things has gotten better other symptoms persist or worsened.........its not easy finding the right path and the right Doctor but its necessary...........
Posted by lauriemay1 (Member # 24153) on :
My daughter had this just a couple of weeks ago, only last about a week or so for her. She had pressure in one ear and it would come and go. Took her to the LLMD and he said her ears were fine and it was due to the "WAR" that was going on in her head with the bacteria and the abx. So hang in there.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Ears can really take a hit with lyme. However, not every vestibular disorder is due to lyme so it's good to see an ear specialist as, sometimes, something as simple as clogged ears can be relieved quickly. Ear wax buildup can make ears feel clogged, full, painful.
It's best to have an expert take a look - it's its ear wax, that can be improved in a matter of minutes. For complex matters, it's best if the ear specialist is Lyme Literate (LL).
* If steroids are suggested as if frequently the case, be aware that steroids can spell disaster for lyme patients. Steroids are to be avoided unless an emergency. Then, there are precautions that all LLMD suggest.
That is why it's best for all specialist to be LL and for one to always consult their LLMD to be sure nothing will interfere with treatment.
When my ears get clogged, allicin capsules are my best friend. Seems to really clear things up - and works on several aspects.
ONE drop of a garlic ear-drop solution may also help (see thread below for links). Do not load up any ear drops into ears, though. ONE drop is all it takes. More than that will lead to excess buildup in the ears.
"Clogged ears" are often from INFLAMMATION, locally or even throughout the body.
* First step is to cut out all phlegm producing foods: Gluten (in wheat, barley, spelt, rye and kamut); Dairy; Corn - and maybe soy as some people are sensitive to that.
* MSG (in all its names) and Aspartame (even a trace) can affect ears- and the brain - so be sure to look at all labels.
* Eating spicy foods (if one's stomach can handle it) can help break up the phlegm & mucous.
* Supplements such as Ginger, Garlic/Allicin and Andrographis help me in this regard - and Curcumin and Magnesium help further to reduce inflammation.
* Avoid Acetaminophen (as in Tylenol, etc.) as that can damage the liver - and the ears. There are many drugs that are "ototoxic" - clogged ears can be one sign of that. See link below.
* Massage, warm (not hot) baths in epson salts, lymph massage (including around the neck), gentle non-aerobic exercise - all helpful. Certain yoga postures are good, too.
* Liver Support supplements are also very important as when the liver gets overwhelmed, that stagnation sort of backs up all the ways to the ears.
Ears also take the first hit from toxins in our bodies. So, when infection is nearby, the toxins from that can hit the ears. Many drugs needed to help subdue infection can also be hard on the liver and the ears, therefore, liver support is helpful to both systems.
* Getting chemicals and synthetically scented products out of one's environment is also vital.
* Mold & Pollen can also clog ears. Be sure to remove mold and the same anti-inflammatory supplements listed above can help with seasonal allergies.
In addition, Quercertin and Stinging Nettle help settle down the cytokine release from allergies. It's best to avoid nasal sprays but there is a a good Olive Leaf nasal spray at SEAGATE Olive Leaf Extract's site.
Dust and vacuum often - but ALWAYS wear ear plugs or muffs when around a vacuum (or hairdyer, blender, food processor, etc.) You can find ear muffs in the hardware stores and garden departments.
Topic: TINNITUS: Ringing Between The Ears; Vestibular, Balance, Hearing with compiled links - including HYPERACUSIS (sensitivity to even normal or soft sounds)
Drugs That Can Damage Your Ears (Ototoxic Drugs) -
Posted by painted turtle (Member # 7801) on :
The sound sensitivity is something I have had a long time, as long as I had undiagnosed lyme (you don't want to know!)
But the whole echo, extra noise, plugged ear feel, high pitch, etc to the degree that I have it is relatively new. ENT says it is allergies...a clogged eustacian tube. I am post lyme (antibiotic) treatment but that doesn't mean it is not the lyme cycle doing its thing.
(PS -- although around the time the ears got real bad, hot and etc...the neuro discovered an ear infection too. Hasn't been the same since.)
Posted by Ian (Member # 24637) on :
It's not an ear infection, it's Lyme or co-infection related. For me, either Babesia or Bartonella caused stuffy ears and tinnitus. I say that because I haven't tested positive for Lyme, although that doesn't rule Lyme out definitively of course.
Posted by jennie46 (Member # 20953) on :
I have been on abx for 10 months and also recently developed clogged ears. I went to my PCP yesterday, and no ear infection was seen.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- A chronic stealth infection in the ears will not always make the ear drum bulge or create redness. No doctor can EVER say for sure that there is no infection at work in the vestibular system that includes the entire outer, inner, middle ear and all the canals, etc.
They would have to cut through the scull to see into the inner and middle ear - and even then, would not be able to see an infection such as lyme without sending tissue off to a specialty lab.
The Tinnitus Thread (link above) explains much more about all things "EARS" - and how to find a good ear specialist. Most PCPs are not trained in vestibular disorders. It's a very complex field. And lyme complicates ear matters enormously. -
[ 04-13-2010, 02:20 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
My ears have been increasingly clogged for 4 or so years. all Dr visits have shown that my ears were ok....though most Dr's I have seen give the old 5 minute in - out deal. I believe the worst of it came last year while riding cross country on a motorcycle, I lost hearing completely in my right ear. No hearing whatsoever. It felt like it was completely clogged, and would not unclog - held nose and blew out, nothing. Later that night, the road split up on me and I started hallucinating! I still cannot believe I didnt fall off of my bike. DO NOT know how I made it off the highway, because the hallucination was persistent for a good 2 minutes.....but here I am. Since that moment, I have had extreme balance issues. Vertigo issues, and the floaty feeling. My hearing returned over the next 3 days after that. Gradually, at first sounding like a blown speaker. No one has really addressed it. I went to an Otolaryngologist, who wrote me a script for a hearing test. I almost punched him - WHAT KIND OF ENT DOESNT HAVE HEARING TEST EQUIPMENT? But I am on MEDS and I am seeing a Neurologist. Waiting for my 2nd MRI results to speak with him about that and the other tests he performed. - Sorry for resurrecting this post, I was sent home from work today as I just couldnt handle it, and I have been freaking out all day.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
Ear symptoms are my #1 problem. The Lyme gave me labyrinthitis and made my ears ring and feel clogged. My balance / vision is a lot better, but ears are still full and ring.
Day 8 of treatment.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Sweet oil helps a lot. It is supposed to prevent
damages when you are killing them. Good to put it
in right after soaking. I noticed a difference right away.
[ 05-19-2010, 06:44 AM: Message edited by: Pinelady ]
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Researcher Eva Sapi has said the Borrelia love juicy. The brain/ears/joints make sense.
What in the world is sweet oil? And where do you put it? What do you soak and how? Please elaborate for us ignorant people who are just learning about this. Also, what is "juicy" that Borrelia love?!
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
So...I just finished a 3 day pulse of Flagyl. First time I've done that. My ears are worse than ever. On day 2, one ear would go quiet and ring loudly for 30 seconds or so. Then the other. Happened 2x for each ear. Today, they feel extremely full and sound sensitivity is up. But ringing is better.
I'm hoping this was a herx and not an ototoxic reaction to flagyl.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
You can buy sweet oil at wal mart pharmacy. It is in a little brown bottle. A couple of drops in the ears.
I soak with a tub of water with a cup or two of Epsom salt. I like to get it hot as I like. If you
are neuro though you need to have someone test it to be sure you do not burn yourself.
Juicy to me means fluids/lubricant. They have to have some to do their jobs as protectant.