Sinus, ear and as a result sleep problems

[worriedteen]

Hello - I'm 16 and been back and forward to my GP with the same problem that she just can't seem to get to the bottom of. For serveral months I've had a constantly blocked nose and ears and feel like you do when you've had ear / nose pressure issues when you've been on a plane and I have to continually try to clear the blockage by holding my noise and blowing to clear the pressure. Additionally my neck cracks all the time which my GP has said is stress>!

I've been prescribed 2 lots of antibiotics which only masked the problems then they came back, a nasal spray called Beconase and nothing is working. She says I don't need my ears syringed either. I had blood tests last week that proved negative.

I have my GCSE's in a few weeks and really concerned as my hearing can get worse from time to time, I feel totally blocked up all the time and as a result find it really difficult to sleep as when I lie down I get pain in my ear too.

I have an appointment on Monday to discuss things further but I'm beginning to wonder if it could be an allergy? What do you think? Should I be referred to an allergist, an ear nose and throat person and is there anything you can suggest I can do to limit the symptoms I'm feeling? Thank you.

[Dr Joanna Lukawska]

Hello
Thank you for your interesting question. Firstly, although allergy can and often is associated with the Eustachian Tube problems and impression of blocked ears there may well be other reasons for your symptoms. You described nasal congestion, do you also get eye problems (this would make allergy a more likely culprit). Again have you tried over the counter non sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine etc if they help it makes allergic condition more likely. Antibiotics can work for sinus infections, but usually require a rather prolonged course (2 to 6 weeks) they should be used together with nasal douching (washing of your nasal passages/sinuses, you can ask your pharmacist there are several products on the market). Nasal steroid spray would also help and can be used with antihistamines and antibiotics. However there is an art to using them correctly, so read the leaflet carefully. I believe you would benefit from a review at a tertiary referral centre and preferably somewhere where there is a combined ENT/Allergy clinic. There are several in London. Please look at BSACI website and they will be able to give you the address of the clinic nearest to where you live. There, an Allergist would be able to assess your possible allergic sensitisations and an ENT surgeon would rule out any structural/anatomical problems. Also in view of your impending exams and disturbed sleep, please get referred soon. Best-est wishes, Joanna