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New ear problem for the past month; Menieres or something else?

Posted by kj99 @kj99, May 7, 2023

Hi everyone,
I'm hoping that someone may have some insight into a problem I've been having for the past month.
It started for me when I was prescribed Prednisone (25mg) to take to help me with a problem I have when I fly. My right ear blocks up and doesn't unblock for hours after the flight is over. An ENT gave me the Prednisone as well as a nasal spray. In preparation for a flight, I took one single Prednisone pill and started the nasal spray.
I had a bad reaction to the Prednisone. I felt a lot of pressure in my head and ears and had a kind of "hyper" feeling, but I didn't know what was wrong because I never took that drug before. By that night, I had a loud "dial tone" sound in my ear, dizziness and nausea. The symptoms subsided and the ENT told me not to take the drug again. I thought it was all over, but what followed has been a month of strange sounds in the right ear and dizzy spells. Interestingly, most of my symptoms happened at night while I was sleeping. I would wake up dizzy every couple of hours and notice a strange sound which always dissapated. I went to multiple ENT's who could find nothing wrong and said my hearing was nearly perfect; a cardiologist who did an Ecodoppler of the carotid artery and said everything was good. I had an MRI of my head which showed nothing that could explain this. Then the symptoms started to subside so I thought it was all over. But three days ago out of nowhere I heard a loud "dial tone" sound in the right ear again. This lasted about 12 hours then disappeared. Yesterday it happened again. This time it lasted even longer and there was dizziness towards the end of it. Every time my blood pressure has been taken they said it is OK and I had my cholesterol checked - also OK (I take Rosuvastatin and admittedly, it's not always under control).
As I type this, I'm basically OK. I feel a bit unsteady, but I had a crazy night with this. I have no idea what's happening. The ENT ordered more vestibular testing (an impedance analysis as well as a vestibular function test (not sure the name, we're in Italy so I know what it's called in Italian). Also I need to visit a neurologist as well as my endocrinologist (I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis). I also need to be tested for sleep apnea, as it is a concern.
Any ideas at all? I'm terrified of another attack.

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cflechsig | @cflechsig | Feb 22 5:19pm
In reply to @vicki0063 "I have had hearing aid 6 months as left ear is deaf. It helps with balance..." + (show)
@vicki0063

I have had hearing aid 6 months as left ear is deaf. It helps with balance and can hear on my left side. See my post.

Jump to this post

I still feel off with lots of anxiety. Still no true vertigo since my last and no ear issues either. My doctor things maybe VM/PPPD.

REPLY
cflechsig | @cflechsig | Feb 22 5:21pm
In reply to @cflechsig "For the last two years I have suffered from vertigo with a floating sensation for months..." + (show)
@cflechsig

For the last two years I have suffered from vertigo with a floating sensation for months afterwards. My first episode happened March 5, 2022 where I had spinning vertigo for 3-4 days they once the vertigo subsided I had a constant floating sensation for three months.I went back to 100 percent normal and on April 13, 2023 I had the same situation happen but with two weeks of tinnitus and ear full us which hasn’t come back. The floating feeling is still happening and won’t subside like last year.My MRI and CT scan are normal. My Eng/vng showed lesions in my left ear.Any help or anyone experiencing the same symptoms I would like to hear your story.

Jump to this post

April was my last vertigo attack. I think allergies play a role since I got vertigo in once in March and once in April.

REPLY
andytheman | @andytheman | Mar 9 8:54am
In reply to @cflechsig "For the last two years I have suffered from vertigo with a floating sensation for months..." + (show)
@cflechsig

For the last two years I have suffered from vertigo with a floating sensation for months afterwards. My first episode happened March 5, 2022 where I had spinning vertigo for 3-4 days they once the vertigo subsided I had a constant floating sensation for three months.I went back to 100 percent normal and on April 13, 2023 I had the same situation happen but with two weeks of tinnitus and ear full us which hasn’t come back. The floating feeling is still happening and won’t subside like last year.My MRI and CT scan are normal. My Eng/vng showed lesions in my left ear.Any help or anyone experiencing the same symptoms I would like to hear your story.

Jump to this post

What is this “floating" all about? I think I have been getting it with my vertigo . My vertigo is a constant issue. I have to carry a cane because sometimes I get the feeling that I need it so I don’t fall down. Whatever way I lean I use my cane to stop me from falling over.
I think it’s coming from my psychiatric meds. I’m basically on a permanent vertigo.
I went to a neurologist but he seemed to want to check my memory. 2 years in a row I was sent to a neurologist and it was always regarding memory. This neurologist seemed to be for memory loss, dementia, altzymers only to come up that it was psychiatric meds. No problem with my memory.
Vertigo therapy made me feel worse. Laying down on a bed and turning my head from left to right didn’t help. I was doing it for nothing.
If “floating “ means lightheaded then I have the floating you talk about. Aggravating because I have to live with this. I am always swerving from the position if I stand up straight and off balance when walking. Feels like my feet are too heavy.

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