Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 10/14/2008

Question
I am a 62-year-old female. I had sinus surgery and septoplasty in May 2007 after months of a nasty infection. I continued to have a sore throat on the right side. I had a tonsillectomy in July 2008 due to the right tonsil being hypertrophic with a deep lesion. During surgery the ENT noted that there was a lot of infection and profuse tonsil stones in the right tonsil that shot out like dried cottage cheese when pressure was applied. Two weeks after the tonsillectomy I began to feel that sometimi was stuck in my right throat. (I have a long history of right facial pain and right ear pressure and ache. I was diagnosed about five year ago with Meniere's regarding the ear problems and I have hearing loss and tinnintus.) On my follow-up with th ENT, he felt the styloid sticking the right tonsil fossa and sent me for a CT that confirmed his diagnosis and it revealed elongated styloids and ossified ligaments bilaterally. I had bilateral removal of the processess in September 2008. I am still feeling something hung and sticking in the right throat with a pulling and aching in the right ear. Ten days after the styloidectomy,  I had a drop attack for the first time in my life and it frightened me terribly because there was NO forewarning. (I am scared it will happen again while I am driving.) My ENT instructed his nurse to tell me to see a GP or cardiologist. It hasn't been but 3 year since I had extensive testing for my heart and all was well. I think that it would be a waste of more time off from work with loss of wages and more doctor bills that I can't afford. I think since the attack happened less than 2 weeks after the styloidectomy and that since I have a history of Meniere's that the drop attack is ear related. What do you think about the drop attack and the continued feeling of something hung in my throat and the achy, pressured ear? What do you suggest that I do next? THANK YOU!

Answer
Hi Sharia,
There are any number of reasons for drop attacks.  I agree that you cannot just assume that this is related to your diagnosis of Meniere's; it needs to be thoroughly evaluated.  Therefore, I agree with your ENT that you need to consult your cardiologist and even a neurologist.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology