Ear Problems Associated With Celiac

[Monday]

Just had to reply to this post.

My problems started in February with spinning vertigo and fluid in my ear, which is still here. www.dizzytimes.com is a fantastic forum for those of you who suffer from vestibular related issues, very helpful and I highly recommend that site if your looking for advice in this area, the sufferers on there have disorders ranging from Menieres to Benign Positional Vertigo, MAV to Perilymph Fistula. Its been a god send for me.

Everyone with fluid related ear issues, look into Perilymph fistula, this is a leak in the inner ear, it can also cause CSf leak which can cause alot of similar symptoms to Celiacs, neurologicall speaking and may be worth looking at if gluten free diets haven't helped.

I had a similar problem until I removed high fiber supplements from my diet. They are in a lot of foods, drinks, and powders.

[GladGirl]

Since I was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease, although overlooked for years...I will relate my experience thus far with my ear problems.

When I was 4 years old with a very bad ear infection, they did the same thing to me that was done to you. It hurt so so bad!! My left ear. It healed and then I started having more problems with vertigo and otitis media(fluid build up inner ear) in my late teens, treated by removing my tonsils and adenoids and of course antibiotics. All seemed to be better until I was about 50 years old (9 years ago now). I developed tinnitus (ringing in the ears)very badly along with otitis media and "talking with an echo" in my hearing. First, I went to an ENT in MD, Waldorf to be exact. He tested me with tuning forks and a few "helmet" procedures on my first visit because I had lost quite a bit of my hearing. He said to my husband and I that he thought I may have a brain tumor, called an "Acoustic Neuroma" which is usually benign, however, very tricky to treat. Scared us I might add and ordered a brain MRI with contrast. Thankfully, this was not the case. He put me on steroids and strong antibiotics...with no relief. I too went for a second opinion and found a wonderful doctor! He is an otaralyngologist (specialy in ears, hearing), will post him here for you. Not sure where you are in Maryland, but he was great. We ended up putting tubes in my ears. Outpatient, did a scan as well and even though I still have some hearing loss and tinnitus...thank God, the echo never returned. Evidently there was enough nerve damage over the years, that my hearing loss will never be better and perhaps the tinnitus too. I lost about 23% of my hearing in both ears, but am able to do well even so. Just turn up the volume on my phone and tv. (read lips a little bit too!! LOL) The tinnitus really doesn't bother me anymore...I have gotten used to it. Here is the link to Dr. Edford Chambers:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/doctors/dr-edford_o_chambers_md-3428498

I know how this is soooooooooooo bothersome, but according to what Dr. Chambers told me, my ear canals are about the size of a 5 year old child, which creates a big problem for wax buildup, easy infection and so forth. He advised me to not get water in my ears...so no more snorkeling...but I have not had any more infections since.

Good luck to you on your progress. Wishing you the best!

[Theri]

On 3/27/2008 at 2:32 PM, VioletBlue said:

I've had ear problems most of my life. Once I went gluten free the stuffiness and pressure in my ears started to clear up. It only returns now if I get accidentally glutened. I don't know that Meniere's Disease is associated with Celiacs, but I do know that some of the symptoms of Celiacs can mimic Meniere's. Meniere's was a tentative diagnosis for me many years ago when I was having frequent dizzy spells and positional dizziness. But the dizzy spells are pretty much gone these days along with most of the ear problems. It has unfortunately left me with some significant hearing loss in one ear and persistent ringing that never really leaves me. That was most likely the result of repeated ear infections over the years; at least that is the medical geniuses best guess.

 

 

 

I was just researching this. I have returned to the gluten challenge. My ears hurt and are full of pressure. Of course this made me cutious if there is a relation to gluten. There is. For celiac, gluten sensitivity and for wheat allergy. If you can tolerate garlic it is recommended. Also something like ibuprofen, sudafed and make sure you are not being glutened. Too late to help you now, but maybe it will help others. 

[Kathouse]

These ear issues are interesting! I, too have had ear problems all my life. I was told in 1996 I had Meniere's disease, which I don't. Very bad Tinnitis in my right ear, like background noise 24/7. And I get random high pitched buzzing that goes away in seconds. I also had chronic sinus infections. Feb 2016 I had sinus surgery and deviated septum fixed. My symptoms worsened and I was p***** off!! I  still got ear infections, major fluid build-up, dizziness, nausea, etc etc. There's always a fullness feeling in my ears/head too. I CAN say that I haven't noticed these symptoms since eliminating G 6 weeks ago. However, I have increased joint/knee pain, breast pain, and anxiety/depression. My psych doc is increasing my antidepressant. Yay me!! I feel like it's ALWAYS something with me. My husband is starting to get sick of my negative attitude. *sigh*

[Theri]

Hello Kathouse. I know the feeling with ears and sinus. Weather changes mess me up. Anxiety and depression is probaly stemmed from celiac. My nerves are on edge many days. That became worse after diagnosis.  Hope your miseries subside.

[Karenlisa]

I was  reading the other post and decided to share my experience with the group: I was five years old when I was diagnosed with a hearing lost. By the time I was five years old when the doctors took my tonsils out. After the doctors took my tonsils out the fun began. There was water in my both of my ears. My tubs on side of my face was not coming down  and I have already been through  seven operation on PA tubes. My hearing was decline every year and developing water. I would get ear bleeds and green stuff in ear. Stomach issues all way. Thirteen came the put my tonsils back in as implant. This allowed me to breathe and talk again. Speech therapy since ages 5-17 and tubes came down open ear. Damage was done to my inner ears and I  could not take any more operations to put tubes in my ear. 13-20 years of age I could not ear at all. At age of 20 received hearing aids. 20-40 years of age I  was diagnosis with colic disease. Once that happen I had baha on to hear as part cochlea Implant. Got second opinion at MA John Hopkins from Dr. Lamb and he stated it was physical reason I could not hear and that it would go down before it came back up hearing. I had hearing mind you 10 % in left and 20 percent in right  made high school, college and master by reading lips. When grades in college drop it was time get hearing aids. Then one day I took in my own hands I got tried of being test. I change my diet gluten free, no plant food, more water, and decided to excises more. By the time I was 40 I was 85 % with hearing but still had a combine diagnosis with AIDE, Colic disease, and got Lyme disease( which did not help). At the present time I am talking, hearing and now the doctors are treating me for drop falls from Meanies Disease , which is contact to all of other diseases. Remember, I  had allergies all my life as well and grow out of them by 30 years old. I still wear hearing aids, but now I hear from both ears and can talk on phone with my Comp-pilot devices that allows all the communication and blue-tube devices to be pick up by my hearing aids to my brain. I am back on track and feeling better. I want to my first concert at the age of 40 being I finally heard words from music. Hope this helps.           

Edited April 21, 2020 by Karenlisa