basically reassuring medical appointment

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 21:48:01 GMT

I am back from the ENT. My ears are fine: the odd sensation of dampness in my ears is because I'm clenching my jaw at night, which is tiring the muscles that equalize pressure in the eustachian tubes.

The doctor recommended an over-the-counter night guard, from Walgreen's or CVS, or amazon if I'd rather not go into a store. He also said stress reduction would be good, but that's not going to be a quick thing, given the state of the world.

After the doctor looked in my ears and mouth, his assistant gave me a quick hearing test. I apparently have "ridiculously good" hearing. Also, the doctor cleared some wax out of my ears before the hearing test, not because it would be a problem otherwise, but because it might affect the hearing test results.

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medical appointment

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 22:52:50 GMT

Over the last few weeks, I've had an intermittent feeling as though there's water in one or both ears. It doesn't hurt, and it doesn't last long, but it's weird. I mentioned this in a telemedicine appointment a couple of weeks ago, and the doctor told me that if it was still bothering me after Thanksgiving, I hsould make an appointment to come into the office and have my ears looked at. (This is another thing that can't be done via a phone call or Zoom.)

I called after Thanksgiving, and made an appointment for this afternoon. I ran into a subway delay, and arrived late (after calling a minute before my appointment time from a stopped train); they managed to fit me in, briefly.

The doctor saw nothing either worrisome or informative when she examined my ears, and has given me a referral to an ENT.

Separately, she wants me to check my blood pressure in the afternoon or evening, as well as in the morning, for a week or so, in case it really is much higher in the afternoons (rather than being higher in the doctor's office than at home).

I went to a drugstore afterwards and got some more rapid home covid tests, so they'll be here whenever we need them. The PA system kept playing an ad for covid vaccine boosters, which was particularly annoying since the vaccine isn't currently available at any of the area drugstores.

ETA 12/8: I have an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat specialist at the end of the month.

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Praise then darkness, and creation unfinished

basically reassuring medical appointment

medical appointment