A
anon
Guest
Background: Mid-20s, full time pilot, no medical history. For the past 2 weeks one of my ears has felt "full" as though there is some fluid trapped inside. It has brought about some mild tinnitus. I have never had any episodes of vertigo with these symptoms, although the feeling of fullness is certainly very annoying.
I went to an ENT's office, where a PA examined my ears. The PA stated there was no evidence of fluid being trapped in my affected ear. This PA wants me back to conduct a hearing test given the onset of tinnitus.
I had no symptoms of a cold when I went to the office, but I am starting to feel congested as though I am getting a common cold, so I am suspect of the PA's inability to find evidence of fluid and feel like I should go get a second opinion, or just see if these symptoms pass in the next two weeks. I have taken Sudafed but there has been no relief of the problem with my ear.
The reason I'm posting is because this PA brought up the possibility of Meniere's disease. I was never diagnosed with it, but the PA said it was merely a possibility. In reading about Meniere's it seems as though vertigo is a real problem for people who have it. I have NOT experienced vertigo, but there is certainly an annoying sensation that comes with having one ear feel like it is plugged all day.
What should I do? I'm worried about getting an incorrect diagnosis of Meniere's, losing my medical, and then having all of these symptoms go away never to be seen again. Of course, there is a possibility that I could have Meniere's, at which point I'd need to start figuring out what to do with myself when the FAA pulls my medical. But I want to be sure I go about this the right way to make sure I don't take any action that I'm going to regret.
I went to an ENT's office, where a PA examined my ears. The PA stated there was no evidence of fluid being trapped in my affected ear. This PA wants me back to conduct a hearing test given the onset of tinnitus.
I had no symptoms of a cold when I went to the office, but I am starting to feel congested as though I am getting a common cold, so I am suspect of the PA's inability to find evidence of fluid and feel like I should go get a second opinion, or just see if these symptoms pass in the next two weeks. I have taken Sudafed but there has been no relief of the problem with my ear.
The reason I'm posting is because this PA brought up the possibility of Meniere's disease. I was never diagnosed with it, but the PA said it was merely a possibility. In reading about Meniere's it seems as though vertigo is a real problem for people who have it. I have NOT experienced vertigo, but there is certainly an annoying sensation that comes with having one ear feel like it is plugged all day.
What should I do? I'm worried about getting an incorrect diagnosis of Meniere's, losing my medical, and then having all of these symptoms go away never to be seen again. Of course, there is a possibility that I could have Meniere's, at which point I'd need to start figuring out what to do with myself when the FAA pulls my medical. But I want to be sure I go about this the right way to make sure I don't take any action that I'm going to regret.