2nd round coming up

I had my hearing checked in November; I saw an ear/nose/throat specialist late January, 2010. It has been confirmed that I have below average hearing in low tones on my right ear. It has been a long while now that I've felt like my right ear is constantly plugged. My diagnosis: otosclerosis.

In effect, there is abnormal bone growth occurring in my inner ear that is increasingly plugging the sound-waves. According to this link, "the cause of otosclerosis is not fully understood, although research has shown that otosclerosis tends to run in families and may be hereditary... Research shows that white, middle-aged women are most at risk. Some research suggests a relationship between otosclerosis and the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy." As far as I am aware, no one else in my family has otosclerosis. I suspect this is related to hormones and pregnancies, just like my chronic back problem.

Now that I have a diagnosis, I realize that there's a 60% chance that it will spread to my left ear.  While I am grateful that it is not life-threatening unlike many other illnesses, I have been mourning the loss of my hearing. Sounds are getting duller. My left ear seems to be plugging too.

The highlights of my life involved the arts, in particular, I have cherished playing music; I have experienced euphoria while performing in music groups. I have cherished sound.  Sound was being taken from me. And, according to Western medicine, I can't stop it.  From a Western perspective, I have to wait to see when it is bad enough to get a hearing aid(s). And maybe eventually ear surgery(ies) which has their risks (ie: deafness, loss of taste, vertigo) as they drill a hole in the bone with a lasor and insert a tiny metal piece to prevent bone growth.

I haven't been satisfied with the diagnosis, prognosis or Western medicine's treatment options or nonchalance.  I decided I would see what other alternatives were available to me.  I spoke with my yoga teacher and she recommended a local Chinese acupuncturist, Michelle.  Michelle's voice message manager indicated she wouldn't take new patients until May; I visited her website and sent her an email.

I met with Michelle on Tuesday morning.  According to Chinese medical theory, the kidney is responsible for more than urinary functions which we associate with it in Western medicine.  Rather, this link suggests:

It controls sexual maturation and reproductive capacity. It controls the growth of teeth and bones and hair. It is essential for normal brain development, sexual energy and fertility....  The Kidney opens to the ear. When the Kidneys are weak, hearing may be impaired or there may be tinnitus.

There is also a link between kidney and back pain.  I figured that I was aiming for 2 birds (ears & back issues) with one stone (Chinese medical theory/herbs).  She suggested that, as we age, our kidneys don't regenerate as quickly and my kidneys may have been weakened by having 2 pregnancies close together (ie 2 babies born within 22 months in my mid-30s).

I had my first Chinese acupuncture treatment on Tuesday.  Although it was intended to benefit my kidney, I was surprised to discover that almost all the needles were applied to my head (and a couple to my hands).  I felt so relaxed after the session.  Michelle also recommended that I drink a Chinese herbal tea three times per day.  She warned me that it might give me a headache and/or make me nauseous and that it was very bitter to drink but that it would benefit the kidneys.

I'm at the point of being willing to do the hokey-pokey backwards to at least prevent more hearing loss.  Gamely, I went to the Chinese herbal store.  The herbalist laid out 7 pieces of paper and started weighing the herbs, many of which look like sticks.  The package is quite cute.  I am using the herbs proper as they are more potent than in pill form.

I was not prepared for the tea it brewed.  It is, without a question, the most bitter, disgusting, odious, noxious and any other repulsive adjective concoction I have ever tasted.  Even a heaping tablespoon of honey doesn't slightly impact the flavour.  I am instructed to brew the same packet of herbs three times with 3 c of water each time.

I tasted the first batch yesterday afternoon.  I tried to sip it; I drank maybe 1/2 cup.  It gave me a mild headache.  I made the second batch yesterday evening; I drank maybe 3/4 cup before I gagged.  Before going to bed, I decided I may have to go deaf; I was not willing to try to drink the third batch before leaving for work in the morning.

I woke up this morning to the radio alarm.  I understood what was being said clearly.  I asked my dh, "Did you turn up the alarm?"  "No," he replied.  I hadn't heard the radio that clearly 2 days ago.

I guzzled my 3rd round of batch #1 this morning before heading to work.  My head was incredibly lighter this morning with the stuffiness in my ears obviously reduced.  As the day passed, my ears became more clouded.

Excuse me; I must go drink my disgusting tepid Chinese herbal remedy, round #1 of batch #2.