Eustachian tube issues

NJShore
NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi,

Dan has been having left ear issues for a couple of weeks. His last treatment was Jan 15th, his treatment was primary left sided. So we are 9 and half weeks out of treatment.. After a week of complaining the RO prescribed antibiotics, 4 days later the ENT said that's fluid behind the ear drum, and prescribed steroids, a week later the other ENT Surgeon said that's still water behind the ear and inserted a tube, which at least brought back Dan's hearing and much welcomed relief. However, the last doctor mentioned that he thought the tube would open up again eventually, but that it was hit pretty hard with radiation. It almost sounded as if it might not open up again. We realize this would be a small loss if it were permanent, the tube does the same thing, but I didn't remember anyone else saying they had that problem... So I am curious if anyone has had temporary issues, and how long did they last? Or did anyone have permanent issues?

As always i appreciate your experience and thoughts...

Kari

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Pretty Common...Sorta

    A lot of people, including myself have had some temporary ear drainage problems thanks to rads, a few hearing loss issues with Cisplatin.

    But the ear pain and blockage is not too uncommon... Most of us with those issues have eventually cleared up...

    I haven't really heard any with actual damage due to rads, but could be wrong on that one...

    Best

    John

  • NJShore
    NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member
    #3
    Skiffin16 said:

    Pretty Common...Sorta

    A lot of people, including myself have had some temporary ear drainage problems thanks to rads, a few hearing loss issues with Cisplatin.

    But the ear pain and blockage is not too uncommon... Most of us with those issues have eventually cleared up...

    I haven't really heard any with actual damage due to rads, but could be wrong on that one...

    Best

    John

    Thank you John!

    John,

    That's what I was hoping to hear.. it is odd when they talk about rads, that funny look that the doctor gets, the one that tells me they aren't really sure how or what the impacts are, but you know they've seen a lot of stuff they didn't expect.

     

    Kari

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
    NJShore said:

    Thank you John!

    John,

    That's what I was hoping to hear.. it is odd when they talk about rads, that funny look that the doctor gets, the one that tells me they aren't really sure how or what the impacts are, but you know they've seen a lot of stuff they didn't expect.

     

    Kari

    Tubes...

    Now that I think of it... I do believe that Hondo might have had tubes put in his ears recently...

    But he has battled cancer three times, twice with radiation, plus a few other issues with his jaw, teeth and even having to have a PEG several years now after treatment.. So as not to scare you, like I said..., he's about the only one and most extreme that I can think of though.

    JG

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #5
    I am 3 months out of

    I am 3 months out of treatment and just had my first clean pet scan. I thought my life was returning to normal when all of a sudden I have the same thing you are talking about now- fluid in my left ear. I am on antibiotics and ear drops, had the ear drained but it filled up again a day later. The ENT said we need to monitor closely given I had a unknown primary and that a tumor in the nasal pathway could cause this but we were leaning toward the tubes getting clogged from the mucous and then infected because the ear can not drain. I don't know how long it will take to clear up or if it is going to clear up and I get the feeling the doctors don't even know. 

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