I know this seems minor in relation to most things...
But it IS rather annoying, and I am hoping for suggestions.

On the first of the year, I developed bronchitis that has since slowly dissipated with meds. At the same time though, my ears became ``plugged up''. It felt as if I blew them out from blowing my nose so hard!

This is the only symptom that has held on and has not changed one little bit. But, I am now wondering if it really is a symptom, or an entirely unrelated new problem that happened while dealing with bronchitis symptoms.

My local NP seemed to think that it would go away with time...but, my goodness, how much time are we talking about here? She looked in my ears (twice now) and could see pressure there, but nothing else.

Has anyone dealt with this as a continuing LD symptom?
I know that hearing loss, etc. can be lyme related...but this is different I think?

Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Melanie

Have you tried using a Neti Pot??? Uses simple saline, warmed.

I have a tendency to blow my nose hard too and always thought I blew my eardrums out!

The other thing is that sometimes a chiropractic adjustment can help....ask Tincup!

Sorry to HEAR you are plugged up.

You said..

"She looked in my ears (twice now) and could see pressure there, but nothing else."

Now... hmmmm... why doesn't that surprise me?

HA!

No brain, no stuffings, no NOTHING!

Got c'ya!

I'll bet that symptom feels like when you go up and down the mountain.. but the ears are "stuck" in one mode and won't fix themselves.

Am I close?

If not.. what DOES it feel like?

You don't think it is a delayed reaction from the squirrel falling on your head?

Might you be suffering from DRS now?

Dropping Rodent Syndrome?

OK.. I will TRY to behave.

If the doc didn't see anything.. then my guess it is nerve related possibly.

TOTALLY a guess.

Several things to try..

Warm heat on your jaws, face, neck... and even a light massage of the area may help.

Try to "work".. actually PULL or STRETCH.. the lower jaws GENTLY away from the upper jaw joints. NOT HARD.

You do this by putting both hands.. your palms actually... facing your face.. like you would be if sitting at a table and resting your jaw in your hands.

Then pull gently or stretch the muscles in your lower jaw.... and gently and slowly move your hands down toward the point of your chin stretching the skin and muscles.

This should take at least one minute to do.. cause you want to go SLOWLY.

Do it with your mouth closed.. then maybe again with your mouth open.. so different muscles are stretched.

This MIGHT give you some relief.. and it MIGHT not last long.. but at least you will know what the deal might be and how to fix it.

Then.. if that doesn't seem to help after stretching that area and wiggling your neck a bit..

Plan B

If the area is swollen... even if you can't see it.. the fluid may be pressing on nerves in the area. A kinda "squishy" thing going on in the tissues.

For that.. sudafed.. 12 hour non-drowsy for a couple of days helps me with that problem. Also a cup of dandelion tea to remove excess fluids. That may reduce the fluid enough to help?

If all that fails.. or only works temporary for you..

A chiropractor would be the next step. Chances are you MIGHT have slightly pinched nerves in your neck area .. perhaps due to the hacking and coughing.

They might use some light traction to stretch your neck muscles which by itself may relieve the problems.. UNLESS they put the traction strap UNDER your chin... so don't do that.. ok?

One more thing..

Have a friend stretch your neck muscles a little while you lay on the floor on your back.

Do this by placing a large towel under your fat head.. I mean skull.. and have them gently.. from a position on the floor behind your head.. and slowly pull the towel towards them. You may ned to hold the towel against your head with your hands so it won't slip. Have them stretch till you feel the stretch.. and hold it for 30-40 seconds or so.. and then SLOWLY .. VERY slowly... release it.

You MIGHT need to do this 2 times.. to get it right.

Just go SLOW...

OK?

If all else fails.. ice packs on the jaw area may work.

If heat don't.. sometimes ice or cold will.

Let us know if you get some relief.

Thinking about you...

WHAT?

What did she say? WHAT?

HA!

------------------
If you get the choice to sit it out or dance...

Fours years ago I developed a horrible cold that went to my head, chest, and then bronchitis. My ears hurt for 6 weeks, felt stuffy, and just lingered.

Someone I knew went to a cranial sacral specialist and I ended up trying that. After one session the pain started dissipating and within 1 week I felt better.

When my TMJ really acts up I've had horrible ear pain to. Not saying that's what you have but it's possible.

Sorry you have this symptom, I have had it too for a while now, I wish I knew what is was like to not have them plugged up?? So your not alone.

Hey there Mizz Sizz,
It has been WAY too long since I've seen ya!!! No, I haven't heard of the ``neti-pot''. Where does one find such a contraption? When this first happened I tried hydrogen and hot compresses. It felt good, but didn't change anything. That is exactly what I asked the doc ``did I blow out my eardrums''?

Miss MoonBeam,
How are you honey child? I know, I know...I seem to get ``attacked'' by the oddest items...the cactus, the squirrel, and now the Kleenex? Yes, that is it exactly...it feels like the plug one gets when changing altitudes, but then the ears STAY that way. I tried the chin pulling thing...nada. I've one more day of the meds that the doc prescribed...but then I will give Sudafed a go. If that doesn't work, I will consider the Chiro route. Perhaps I just need a long vacation at a lower altitude?

Hi Snowboarder,
Actually my TMJ is rather good right now, so I don't think that is it. So, you are saying to quit my whining for a couple of more weeks, huh? Yes, time is the great healer...sometimes. If I thought this WAS a lyme thing, I think I would be much more patient, I just don't want it to go on if it is something else, ya know? I will consider the CS if nothing else works...thanks for the suggestion!

Miss Beverly,
So nice to see you too! This is really what I wanted to know...if it could be a lyme thing or not...and you answered my question- thank you! I'm so sorry that you have dealt with this for a long time...Goodness, it is annoying, isn't it?

You guys are priceless and I thank you!
If anything else comes to mind...let me know.

When I did this for my husband who also had "blocked ears" he noticed a loosening of the tissue surrounding the ear and in a few days the SX dissappeared.