EustachianTube Dysfunction: Balloon Dilation

**Randy1957** · 01-05-2020, 10:47 AM

First post, I looked around and didn't see anything on this topic. My ENT put a tube in my left ear to relieve the otitis media, which it did. They tend to fall out after a year or so, so I'm expecting I am on the end of this particular tubes lifespan (1 yr and 3 months) my other ear has begun acting up more frequently, but is not as bad the left one was.

Rather than get tubes in both, I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience with Eustachian tube therapy via balloon dilation? Or is is it contraindicated for Wegener's patients? Here is an RCT on its use and efficacy compared to medical treatment. Would be great to avoid holes and tubes in the ears if possibl.

https://journals.lww.com/otology-neu...lation.19.aspx

**Dirty Don** · 01-06-2020, 05:28 AM

Welcome to the best experiential info on earth for GPA. So, I had E tube therapy on right ear. Mine is the reverse of yours, stuck open...due to first flare attack on sinuses and lungs. It didn't work very well. Am stuck with ear issues, but not threatening or debilitating, mostly irritating. Nothing was contraindicated for us in the operation, pretty safe. Best to you, hope the journey goes well.

**Randy1957** · 01-07-2020, 03:14 AM

thanks for the feedback DD

**me2** · 01-07-2020, 06:41 AM

I have had a dodgy ear for over a year and just recently had a tube placed in it. I can HEAR again in that ear. It is such a wonderful thing. I was told that the tube might last a year and "If it turns out to be something that you like having there is a more permanent type of tube I can put in."

I had never heard of this more permanent tube idea. The current tube means I can hear again and could fly on an airplane if I want to. With the plugged eustachian I was very scared of flying. I flew once with a plugged tube (I didn't realize it until the plane lifted off) and it was super painful . The plane had one stop to make and the stewardess suggested I get off of the plane, take a bunch pseudoephedrine and resume with a later flight. I did this and it worked a charm.

My recent problems did not respond to sudafed therapy. I have not heard of dilation therapy. I have had tracheal dilation several times I can report that it works VERY well for airways- if you ever need that type of help. That was several years ago and wg has decided to leave my airway alone- for now.

**Randy1957** · 01-07-2020, 09:14 AM

Thanks for the input. me2. My ENT told me my tube would last about a year and I have gotten that and a little more out of it. Like you, my hearing returned in the tubed ear albeit with some tinnitus. The other ear is now getting dodgy as you put it, so looking at other options, but it may be a tube for that one too.

**me2** · 01-07-2020, 01:15 PM

That's great you have gotten some good mileage out of your tube Randy. I also have tinnitus. I've looked for and tried some solutions for that but it appears there are not great options- yet. I told my hearing doc that I see solutions for tinnitus advertised all the time. He said he knew of nothing that really worked and thats why there were so many 'solutions' out there. The 'solutions' are people taking advantage of people's desperation and the fact that nothing does work.
I'm sure it's possible that some people are helped by some of the 'solutions' but the number appears to be extremely small at best.
An idea in the same vein was something my PCP told me one time. He said that if a medical problem had several different solutions it meant that it was likely none of the solutions were all that great. A great solution would become the main option and the other solutions would not be around.