Relating the Unrelated

You’re all probably sick of hearing about my latest medical woes, but I’m still on a mission to figure out what the heck is going on with me.  My theory on sleep apnea has been thrown out.  At least in my opinion.  I taped my sleeping for three days and didn’t hear anything, so I apparently don’t snore.  Hallelujah!  Of course, it would have been nice if that had been the answer.  At least something can be done about it.

Side note:  Hanlie, I haven’t forgotten about the book you suggested!  I plan on ordering it from Amazon very soon!

Wanna hear my latest theory?

I’ve been having this crazy ear problem for more than a year.  While my friends thought it was hysterical when I told them about it, it’s actually rather hellishly annoying when it happens.  It’s also really hard to describe, so read about it here. It’s called Patulous Eustachian Tube.

I have every single one of the symptoms.  Right down to the fact that I used to only get it once or twice a year with major exertion and now that I’ve lost a bunch of weight, it’s practically every. single. day.  Also, the part about flipping my head upside down helps (for all of 30 seconds until I swallow or talk), so I’ve been pretty darn certain that this is what the problem is.  So, if you ever see someone standing off to the side trying to be unnoticeable with their head flipped upside down, it just might be me.  Or some other unfortunate soul with this problem.

Now, have I told my doctor about it?  No.  I know, I know, but before you start lashing me with a wet noodle (a la Dear Abby), I felt that there was no way that it could be related to my other issues and I felt that my precious, short, time with my doctor would be better spent on more serious issues.  Like the fact that I sometimes forget what I’m saying as I’m saying it or the fact that I feel too tired to move at times.  The other reason I never mentioned it is because they pretty much say that there is no certain cure for it.  (Of course)  They do recommend gaining weight, but like hell am I gonna do that. 

However, I was doing a bit more research on the above page the other night and came across a link that I hadn’t seen before.  That sometimes it is mixed up with this even rarer disorder (superior canal dehiscence).  Not only does it contain the same autophony issues, but lo’ and behold, what are some of the symptoms??

• Brain fog;
• Fatigue;
• Headache;
• Dizziness

All issues that I’ve had that have gotten so much worse over the past year.  It also mentions sound sensitivity.  There are times when simple sounds seem really really loud and overly annoying to me.  And it’s the oddest things.  But then other times, I feel like I’ve had hearing loss.  Which is another symptom.  I always just figured it was due to transcribing crappy tapes at work for so many years.

So I’m thinking I need to get myself in to my doctor, face the music (he’s either gonna kick my ass for not mentioning it before, think I’m nuts, and/or curse the damn internet for giving me ideas), and see what he thinks.  Perhaps if he thinks this is a possibility he can give me a referral.  We’ll see!  It seems like the most logical theory I’ve come up with so far.

Damn it!  There goes my ear again!  And it hadn’t bothered me yet today.  It probably heard me writing about it.