Oh no, that’s the worst feeling. I truly get it though, the inner ear is so important to our basic functioning and when it’s not working right there’s no way to have a regular life. Even basic things like walking are a struggle.

I’m glad I could help you make that next step! I understand how it can be incredibly frightening. I’m lucky (maybe?) that I had my first sets of tubes when I was very very young so it’s something I’ve experienced already and was normalized. If you want to talk about it or have a pep talk before your appt shoot me a message! And they definitely should be able to do something for your anxiety about it, that’s just good patient care. But we’re not always so lucky to have understanding doctors.

I have this printed out in my classroom. I teach adults at a trade school and I feel it’s especially important for all adults to know it’s ok to learn new things.

I got a tube in my right ear (as it’s the worst) and bilateral eustachian tube dilation in both. With the dilation basically they insert a balloon through my sinuses into my eustachian tubes and inflate it to expand them, hopefully permanently! I was knocked out for it as they had to go through my sinuses but when I’ve gotten tubes in the past they haven’t as they go through the front side of your ear. Don’t be too worried about getting tubes in your ears, I’ve had it done a bunch of times and it’s not that difficult. I didn’t feel any pain just some pressure. Try talking to your doc again about your apprehension, maybe they will reconsider something to calm you. Good luck with it, it can make a world of difference sometimes!

I had ear surgery yesterday that will hopefully help with my hearing loss and sinus drainage. I’ve been waiting for almost two years for this hoping that my country would start to cover the procedure but finally said fuck it, it’s worth it for my quality of life. Feeling like I have a head cold today, but without the sick feeling. So far I think I can hear better already but not sure if it’s just wishful thinking lol. I’m cautiously optimistic!

This is a great thread, definitely cheered me and a lot of other people up. Thanks!

Your new place sounds so dreamy! That area is really beautiful too. Congrats on the move and new stage of life!