Laryngoscopy Exam

[Guest guest]

Sorry, I haven't posted in a while....I think I've been sick since

November. I recently have had a bout of acute bronchitis on top of

already chronic bronchitis for over a month....just finished last week, 4

weeks of antibiotics. My pulmy said that he's seen a particularly

stubborn bacterial viral strain this year with many of his patients.

I have a concern and I'd like to inquire if any one in the RP group has

had a laryngoscopic exam?

For the past 2 months, I've been experiencing some bilateral inner ear

pain, like a dull ear ache; a new symptom, different from the usual outer

ear pain. The first ENT I saw said that the ear wax, when moistened,

probably caused some discomfort and proceeded to remove the ear was

manually with his looped insrument. He was quite rough, even though I

had briefed him earlier on the sensitivity of my ears. I even told him

of an incident 3 months ago, where my doctor's nurse did an ear canal

water irrigation to remove ear wax. Within 24 hours, I had to suffer head

congestion, increased mucous, infection flare -up, increased prednisone,

antibiotics etc. etc.

I guess this ENT didn't take me seriously as he decided not to use the

suction, but, manually moved the ear wax. It was painful, and I told him

so. He nonchalantly said that the ear drops he would prescribe would

help. And, within 24 hours, this resulted in much pain that led to a

flare up, an infection with increased mucous and lots of coughing. I had

to double my prednisone and do two weeks of antibiotics. I guess I will

NOT be going back to visit that ENT again.

I just had a consult today with another ENT (gosh, it's hard work to be

doing all this doctor shopping). He never met a RP patient with tracheal

stenosis and wanted to do insert this flexible tube through my nose and

down my throat to see how much stenosis I have. He said that the

information would be more useful than a spiral cat scan.

After two negative experiences with physicans " unintentally " causing a

flare-up, I refused the procedure. Yes, I know I wasn't very

cooperative....and, I'm sure that he was a bit irritated with me (said

that I put him in a difficult position because he couldn't diagnose and

treat me). I told him that I wanted to check with my regular doctor, and

with my RP support group first.

So, I realize that I am a bit paranoid, but, I do want to avoid another

flare up. I can't seem to find anything in Dr. Trentham or Dr. Herman's

articles in RP about a laryngoscopic exam, only that the bronchoscopy is

not recommended, but, a spiral cat scan is suggested.

I plan to revisit this doctor again in three weeks to do some vertigo

testing. So, if anyone out there has any info or experience with this

procedure, I would REALLY APPRECIATE you sharing your knowledge with

me....really!

Thank you very much! from Hawaii......