Fluid in ears

Albertan · March 2013

Had 4 rounds of chemo and had 4 of 16 rounds of Herceptin. Three weeks ago after an airplane flight, my ears blocked and it took 3 days for them to get back somewhat to "normal". However, both ears have fluid in them, although doc says no infection. He warned me not to fly however, since he says I may blow one or both eardrums.

This is a problem for me as I had a conference scheduled in 2 weeks where I pretty much have to fly to get to. Also brother-in-law is in palliative care, also in a place that I have to fly to.

I've seen a few comments about blocked eustacian tubes, apparently related to either chemo or Herceptin or both. What's up with that? What can I do about it? How long does this lovely side effect last?

Thanks

susan

Bren58 · April 2013

Susan, I had fluid in my ears immediately after tx 3 which led to an ear infection and ruptured ear drum. It took about a month for my ear to feel normal again. I do notice that I have sinus and ear congestion after each tx. I have not had Herceptin only yet, so I am not sure which drug is causing it.

Albertan · April 2013

Hi Bren58,

Thanks - and you got a ruptured ear drum too!

I just got back from my oncologist who said there is still some fluid in my right ear. I have a plane trip planned for Thursday, but I can cancel it - and I am not sure I should go - my fear is a ruptured ear drum - and of course, no one can say for sure whether it will or won't - but I am hesitant to take a chance.

What's a ruptured ear drum like?

susan

Albertan · April 2013

Well I saw my oncologist 2 days ago, so just in case anyone else has this problem - here's the description I got.

The type of chemo I got - cyclophosphamate(?) - causes some vague congestion in the head. In my case, not really enough even to notice, except some sinus draining. Since I have constricted eustacian tubes anyway, this congestion got "caught" in the eustacian tubes. Then, with no ear or nose hair (it's on the same follicle cycle as the hair on the top of the head), the congestion didn't get moved along, wherever it goes - it's a mystery to me. So the fluid just stays there in the ear. So it is chemo-related. Apparently it should get better when my nose/ear hair returns.

However, I do have an appt with an ENT person sometime in the next month to see about this eustacian tube thing. But there you go - another medical mystery at least partially solved.

Alicethecat · April 2013

Hello Albertan

Interesting...I had cyclophosphamide as one of my chemos too and my diagnosis is very similar to yours. Have fluid in my left ear.

Always there but has reduced a bit after drinking a cup of green tea - check whether Ok with your onc first if you are thinking of trying it as I've read it can affect the efficacy of Herceptin.

Interested to see what your ENT doc says.

Best wishes

Alice

CandyisDandy · June 2013

Thanks so much for this topic!

I too have a one eustacian tube with excess fluid. I don't have any nose or ear hair these days. It's lovely. I feel so much better knowing I'm not alone. I tried clearing my eustacian tube by holding my nose and blowing into it. That caused a blood vessel in my eye to burst. Also lovely. I have now blown that same blood vessel four times during treatment just by blowing my nose. I'm super careful now to blow my nose gently. It's lovely.

Albertan · June 2013

Well, it took 5 months, but I am now able to fly. It took that long for !) the ear hairs to grow back after my last chemo and 2) the fluid to disappear. Just flew yesterday and while my ears blocked, they cleared an hour or two after I landed.

Still haven't seen my ENT person - still waiting for an appt! I'm just glad I can fly.

Fluid in ears

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