question about numbness

[Guest guest]

I have been trying to find out if anyone anywhere knows why I get

numbness in my hands and feet. I have asked doctors and they say that

I am too young for carpal tunnel, but they cannnot figure out what else it could

be. Just curious if anyone has any ideas. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

,

Do you know what kind of packing that you had? I only have experience

with gauze packing - when it was pulled out, I felt a big difference.

Many people have doctors that use gel packing that is supposed to

dissolve. Some of them have commented about lingering fullness and

ringing. I think it eventually went away, but they'll have to verify that.

Matt

seftonmichelle wrote:

>

>

> I had a mastoidectomy/tympanoplasty canal wall down surgery to remove

> a cholesteatoma on Aug. 17. The feeling in my ear itself is coming

> back, but the area behind my ear and above my ear is still numb and

> very sensitive. How long does it take for this feeling to come back.

> Also if feels like my ear is plugged up (like there is something in my

> ear) and the ringing is quite loud. Is this the way it will always

> feel, or will things go back to " normal " . I have had a plugged up ear

> for 4 years now (due to the cholesteatoma) so I am used to it, but I

> was hoping the surgery would resolve this. I go back in 3 weeks for a

> hearing test so maybe I will know more then.

>

> Thanks for any advise anyone has from their experiences.

>

>

>

>

--

[Guest guest]

Matt,

I did not have gauze packing. They were small discs that he removed. I didn't see them but my husband said whatever they were made of they did not absorb blood- they were still white when the were removed. I felt no difference when the packing was removed. In fact, I mentioned that it felt like the packing was still in there, and the dr. said I had a large blood clot (or scab) behind my eardrum. I have noticed that my hearing is getting a little better, but the fullness still remains.

Thanks for your response.

--- On Fri, 9/25/09,

[Guest guest]

,

After my first surgery when the doctor removed the packing I had the same sensation you had - I couldn't even tell it had been removed - my head felt stopped up on one side (is the only way I know to describe it) - over time I have just adjusted to it - I will have my second look surgery on Oct. 16th so I will see if I get the same sensation as the first surgery.

From: Sefton <seftonmichelle@...>cholesteatoma Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 11:11:48 AMSubject: Re: question about numbness

Matt,

I did not have gauze packing. They were small discs that he removed. I didn't see them but my husband said whatever they were made of they did not absorb blood- they were still white when the were removed. I felt no difference when the packing was removed. In fact, I mentioned that it felt like the packing was still in there, and the dr. said I had a large blood clot (or scab) behind my eardrum. I have noticed that my hearing is getting a little better, but the fullness still remains.

Thanks for your response.

--- On Fri, 9/25/09,

[Guest guest]

,

Did that sensation ever go away?

From: Captain Definder <captaindefinder@...>Subject: Re: question about numbnesscholesteatoma Date: Sunday, September 27, 2009, 9:10 PM

,

After my first surgery when the doctor removed the packing I had the same sensation you had - I couldn't even tell it had been removed - my head felt stopped up on one side (is the only way I know to describe it) - over time I have just adjusted to it - I will have my second look surgery on Oct.. 16th so I will see if I get the same sensation as the first surgery.

From: Sefton <seftonmichelle>cholesteatomaSent: Friday, September 25, 2009 11:11:48 AMSubject: Re: question about numbness

Matt,

I did not have gauze packing. They were small discs that he removed. I didn't see them but my husband said whatever they were made of they did not absorb blood- they were still white when the were removed. I felt no difference when the packing was removed. In fact, I mentioned that it felt like the packing was still in there, and the dr. said I had a large blood clot (or scab) behind my eardrum. I have noticed that my hearing is getting a little better, but the fullness still remains.

Thanks for your response.

--- On Fri, 9/25/09,

[Guest guest]

I have had three ear surgeries on my left ear.

1. Removal of a cholesteatoma and a mastoidectomy

2. Removal of a cholesteatoma and the doctor drilled to make the cavity in the ear deeper with hopes that he could remove future cholesteatoma's from the office chair.

3. Removal of a cholesteatoma and the doctor made the cavity in the ear deeper than the previous surgery. I had my last ear surgery on August 12th and have been fighting infection in this ear since the surgery. The doctor put a pic line in my arm for 10 days but now the infection is back. So, I was placed on more antibiotics by mouth. Hopefully this will work or they will need to put the pic line in again. I have had ear doctor appt.s 2-3 times a week since the day of my surgery.At least once a week the doctor has had to remove another new growth beginning to grow in the ear. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to share them.

Each cholesteatoma that was removed was larger than two golf balls. After my first two surgeries, I had gauze packing placed in my ear. After the packing was removed I still felt like the packing was still in there. I also had very little hearing in that ear. The doctor explained that this was because I had a lot of inflamation in the ear and in time the swelling would go down and the full feeling that I was experiencing would diminish and my hearing would come back. They placed gel packing in my ear with my most recent surgery. I did not have the same full feeling in my ear like I did after my first two surgeries. The gel packing was nicer to deal with after the surgery because I didn't have to have the surgeon remove it. But, I am wondering if the gel allows moisture to stay in the ear which then allows infection to possibly set in? Cholesteatoma's grow in west moist ears that is why it is so important to keep your ear dry. Since I

have a deeper cavity, I am wondering if this packing stayed in my ear instead of draining properly. This is just a guess. Maybe in my case I should stick with the gauze packing. I never had small discs placed in my ear like mentioned. But, I do think that the gauze absorbs moisture which helps the ear heal quicker. I might be experiencing this because I have a cavity deeper than most patients, not sure?

Each time I have had a cholesteatoma removed, I have had significant improvenent with hearing in my ear. After the last surgery (before the infection), I heard really well. I am a teacher and took the children to an assembly. There were people speaking in microphones and I literally had to put cotton in my ear because I heard so well that it actually hurt my ear. But, it was so exciting to hear what most people hear every day of their lives (stereo), lol. I pray that this hearing comes back after the infection heals.

Ann

From: Sefton <seftonmichelle@...>cholesteatoma Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 9:40:17 AMSubject: Re: question about numbness

,

Did that sensation ever go away?

From: Captain Definder <captaindefinder>Subject: Re: question about numbnesscholesteatomaDate: Sunday, September 27, 2009, 9:10 PM

,

After my first surgery when the doctor removed the packing I had the same sensation you had - I couldn't even tell it had been removed - my head felt stopped up on one side (is the only way I know to describe it) - over time I have just adjusted to it - I will have my second look surgery on Oct.. 16th so I will see if I get the same sensation as the first surgery.

From: Sefton <seftonmichelle>cholesteatomaSent: Friday, September 25, 2009 11:11:48 AMSubject: Re: question about numbness

Matt,

I did not have gauze packing. They were small discs that he removed. I didn't see them but my husband said whatever they were made of they did not absorb blood- they were still white when the were removed. I felt no difference when the packing was removed. In fact, I mentioned that it felt like the packing was still in there, and the dr. said I had a large blood clot (or scab) behind my eardrum. I have noticed that my hearing is getting a little better, but the fullness still remains.

Thanks for your response.

--- On Fri, 9/25/09,

[Guest guest]

Yes, the sensation went away (or maybe I just adjusted to it?) . . .

From: Sefton <seftonmichelle@...>cholesteatoma Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 8:40:17 AMSubject: Re: question about numbness

,

Did that sensation ever go away?

From: Captain Definder <captaindefinder>Subject: Re: question about numbnesscholesteatomaDate: Sunday, September 27, 2009, 9:10 PM

,

After my first surgery when the doctor removed the packing I had the same sensation you had - I couldn't even tell it had been removed - my head felt stopped up on one side (is the only way I know to describe it) - over time I have just adjusted to it - I will have my second look surgery on Oct.. 16th so I will see if I get the same sensation as the first surgery.

From: Sefton <seftonmichelle>cholesteatomaSent: Friday, September 25, 2009 11:11:48 AMSubject: Re: question about numbness

Matt,

I did not have gauze packing. They were small discs that he removed. I didn't see them but my husband said whatever they were made of they did not absorb blood- they were still white when the were removed. I felt no difference when the packing was removed. In fact, I mentioned that it felt like the packing was still in there, and the dr. said I had a large blood clot (or scab) behind my eardrum. I have noticed that my hearing is getting a little better, but the fullness still remains.

Thanks for your response.

--- On Fri, 9/25/09,

[Guest guest]

Ann,

It sounds like you have been through a lot. Hope your infection clears up soon. . .

From: Ann <yourprincess1961110@...>cholesteatoma Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 3:52:58 PMSubject: Re: question about numbness

I have had three ear surgeries on my left ear.

1. Removal of a cholesteatoma and a mastoidectomy

2. Removal of a cholesteatoma and the doctor drilled to make the cavity in the ear deeper with hopes that he could remove future cholesteatoma' s from the office chair.

3. Removal of a cholesteatoma and the doctor made the cavity in the ear deeper than the previous surgery. I had my last ear surgery on August 12th and have been fighting infection in this ear since the surgery. The doctor put a pic line in my arm for 10 days but now the infection is back. So, I was placed on more antibiotics by mouth. Hopefully this will work or they will need to put the pic line in again. I have had ear doctor appt.s 2-3 times a week since the day of my surgery.At least once a week the doctor has had to remove another new growth beginning to grow in the ear. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to share them.

Each cholesteatoma that was removed was larger than two golf balls. After my first two surgeries, I had gauze packing placed in my ear. After the packing was removed I still felt like the packing was still in there. I also had very little hearing in that ear. The doctor explained that this was because I had a lot of inflamation in the ear and in time the swelling would go down and the full feeling that I was experiencing would diminish and my hearing would come back. They placed gel packing in my ear with my most recent surgery. I did not have the same full feeling in my ear like I did after my first two surgeries. The gel packing was nicer to deal with after the surgery because I didn't have to have the surgeon remove it. But, I am wondering if the gel allows moisture to stay in the ear which then allows infection to possibly set in? Cholesteatoma' s grow in west moist ears that is why it is so important to keep your ear dry. Since I

have a deeper cavity, I am wondering if this packing stayed in my ear instead of draining properly. This is just a guess. Maybe in my case I should stick with the gauze packing. I never had small discs placed in my ear like mentioned. But, I do think that the gauze absorbs moisture which helps the ear heal quicker. I might be experiencing this because I have a cavity deeper than most patients, not sure?

Each time I have had a cholesteatoma removed, I have had significant improvenent with hearing in my ear. After the last surgery (before the infection), I heard really well. I am a teacher and took the children to an assembly. There were people speaking in microphones and I literally had to put cotton in my ear because I heard so well that it actually hurt my ear. But, it was so exciting to hear what most people hear every day of their lives (stereo), lol. I pray that this hearing comes back after the infection heals.

Ann

From: Sefton <seftonmichelle>cholesteatomaSent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 9:40:17 AMSubject: Re: question about numbness

,

Did that sensation ever go away?

From: Captain Definder <captaindefinder>Subject: Re: question about numbnesscholesteatomaDate: Sunday, September 27, 2009, 9:10 PM

,

After my first surgery when the doctor removed the packing I had the same sensation you had - I couldn't even tell it had been removed - my head felt stopped up on one side (is the only way I know to describe it) - over time I have just adjusted to it - I will have my second look surgery on Oct.. 16th so I will see if I get the same sensation as the first surgery.

From: Sefton <seftonmichelle>cholesteatomaSent: Friday, September 25, 2009 11:11:48 AMSubject: Re: question about numbness

Matt,

I did not have gauze packing. They were small discs that he removed. I didn't see them but my husband said whatever they were made of they did not absorb blood- they were still white when the were removed. I felt no difference when the packing was removed. In fact, I mentioned that it felt like the packing was still in there, and the dr. said I had a large blood clot (or scab) behind my eardrum. I have noticed that my hearing is getting a little better, but the fullness still remains.

Thanks for your response.

--- On Fri, 9/25/09,

[Guest guest]

Thanks . I really appreciate your response. Honestly, I am so weary and exhausted from the pain and infection.

From: Captain Definder <captaindefinder@...>cholesteatoma Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 6:36:45 PMSubject: Re: question about numbness

Ann,

It sounds like you have been through a lot. Hope your infection clears up soon. . .

From: Ann <yourprincess1961110 @>cholesteatomaSent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 3:52:58 PMSubject: Re: question about numbness

I have had three ear surgeries on my left ear.

1. Removal of a cholesteatoma and a mastoidectomy

2. Removal of a cholesteatoma and the doctor drilled to make the cavity in the ear deeper with hopes that he could remove future cholesteatoma' s from the office chair.

3. Removal of a cholesteatoma and the doctor made the cavity in the ear deeper than the previous surgery. I had my last ear surgery on August 12th and have been fighting infection in this ear since the surgery. The doctor put a pic line in my arm for 10 days but now the infection is back. So, I was placed on more antibiotics by mouth. Hopefully this will work or they will need to put the pic line in again. I have had ear doctor appt.s 2-3 times a week since the day of my surgery.At least once a week the doctor has had to remove another new growth beginning to grow in the ear. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to share them.

Each cholesteatoma that was removed was larger than two golf balls. After my first two surgeries, I had gauze packing placed in my ear. After the packing was removed I still felt like the packing was still in there. I also had very little hearing in that ear. The doctor explained that this was because I had a lot of inflamation in the ear and in time the swelling would go down and the full feeling that I was experiencing would diminish and my hearing would come back. They placed gel packing in my ear with my most recent surgery. I did not have the same full feeling in my ear like I did after my first two surgeries. The gel packing was nicer to deal with after the surgery because I didn't have to have the surgeon remove it. But, I am wondering if the gel allows moisture to stay in the ear which then allows infection to possibly set in? Cholesteatoma' s grow in west moist ears that is why it is so important to keep your ear dry. Since I

have a deeper cavity, I am wondering if this packing stayed in my ear instead of draining properly. This is just a guess. Maybe in my case I should stick with the gauze packing. I never had small discs placed in my ear like mentioned. But, I do think that the gauze absorbs moisture which helps the ear heal quicker. I might be experiencing this because I have a cavity deeper than most patients, not sure?

Each time I have had a cholesteatoma removed, I have had significant improvenent with hearing in my ear. After the last surgery (before the infection), I heard really well. I am a teacher and took the children to an assembly. There were people speaking in microphones and I literally had to put cotton in my ear because I heard so well that it actually hurt my ear. But, it was so exciting to hear what most people hear every day of their lives (stereo), lol. I pray that this hearing comes back after the infection heals.

Ann

From: Sefton <seftonmichelle>cholesteatomaSent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 9:40:17 AMSubject: Re: question about numbness

,

Did that sensation ever go away?

From: Captain Definder <captaindefinder>Subject: Re: question about numbnesscholesteatomaDate: Sunday, September 27, 2009, 9:10 PM

,

After my first surgery when the doctor removed the packing I had the same sensation you had - I couldn't even tell it had been removed - my head felt stopped up on one side (is the only way I know to describe it) - over time I have just adjusted to it - I will have my second look surgery on Oct.. 16th so I will see if I get the same sensation as the first surgery.

From: Sefton <seftonmichelle>cholesteatomaSent: Friday, September 25, 2009 11:11:48 AMSubject: Re: question about numbness

Matt,

I did not have gauze packing. They were small discs that he removed. I didn't see them but my husband said whatever they were made of they did not absorb blood- they were still white when the were removed. I felt no difference when the packing was removed. In fact, I mentioned that it felt like the packing was still in there, and the dr. said I had a large blood clot (or scab) behind my eardrum. I have noticed that my hearing is getting a little better, but the fullness still remains.

Thanks for your response.

--- On Fri, 9/25/09,

[Guest guest]

My surgery was in early Aug too and I still have a bit of numbness in the same

areas... Dr. said it is common. Also I noticed there is a " pop " sound like when

you tap on a microphone when I touch my ear now... rather strange...

[Guest guest]

Hi Cara:

I get that pop sound once in a while. I had CWD last month. The healing process has been smooth. I have numbness and at time painful tingling on and around the ear. Its does feel strange. l i s a l u m j o r g e n s e ncontact: 718.644.1933email: lisa@...

From: Cara <cara.toomey@...>Subject: Re: question about numbnesscholesteatoma Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 11:58 PM

My surgery was in early Aug too and I still have a bit of numbness in the same areas... Dr. said it is common. Also I noticed there is a "pop" sound like when you tap on a microphone when I touch my ear now... rather strange...

[Guest guest]

I have that popping sound too. More like a clicking noise when I swallow. The "dead" feeling on the side of my head is weird. The feeling came back to my ear itself, but around the ear on the side of my head is numb in some areas- Very weird. I go back a week from Monday for a hearing test- I don't feel like I am hearing very but we shall see. I have a difficult time hearing when there is alot of backround noise.

From: Cara <cara.toomey@...>Subject: Re: question about numbnesscholesteatoma Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009, 3:58 AM

My surgery was in early Aug too and I still have a bit of numbness in the same areas... Dr. said it is common. Also I noticed there is a "pop" sound like when you tap on a microphone when I touch my ear now... rather strange...