Cough & Ear Update

I had my ENT appointment yesterday. After waiting an hour and a half in the waiting room and getting more and more anxious about the whole procedure, I was finally let into the examining room 45 minutes after my scheduled appointment.

The doctor told me as I was getting ready for the tube insertion that my throat scan definitely showed that I have acid reflux and that he would be following up with my family doctor who would contact me re next steps. So, that's good, I guess. I was really worried that the throat scan would show nothing so at least now I have a diagnosis and hopefully, soon a treatment.

My ENT doctor had put me on an acid reflux medication but it hasn't helped so I just assumed, acid reflux was off the table. I asked him about it and he thought maybe the medication wasn't strong enough and that my family doctor should refer me to a stomach doctor in order for me to get the proper treatment. Yikes! Another doctor! Just what I need.

Next he had me lie on a table, he asked me to turn my head slightly to the right and he put a towel or something on my left shoulder to protect my clothing, I'm guessing.

The next thing he did was advise me that he was going to freeze my ear and it was going to hurt but for me to stay still, easier said than done, I'll tell you - it hurt like the Dickens!

And, then he tried to insert the tube into my left ear drum in order to drain the fluid that's been blocking my hearing. He said, they almost always go in pretty easily but mine wasn't cooperating. Big surprise, not! Everything seems to be more difficult with me.

Anyways, this morning, my left ear has fluid coming out of it so the tube does appear to be helping. The ENT said that the tube should fall out on its own within 6 months and also told me that I should still be able to swim, which is great because summer would really suck if I couldn't swim (although I could still as long as I didn't go under, I guess).

Anyways, I have a diagnosis and soon I should have treatment and hopefully, within a month (I hope), the cough will be gone, I'll be able to sleep properly again and will get back to my normal, cheerful self.

By the time I got home last night, I was tired and feeling slightly nauseous and headachy and just ate dinner and went to bed where I slept like a log. Obviously, yesterday was hard on me and I needed the sleep.

Thank you for everyone's support and concern and I hope you are all well.