Acoustic neuroma, hydrocephalis, and vertigo

Hi, @pedie. Sorry to hear you've been suffering from vertigo. Glad to hear things checked out well with the neurosurgeon's PA. Sounds like you still have a lingering question, however, about what you were told about a urinary tract infection (UTI) leading to the vertigo you are experiencing.

Here is some Mayo Clinic information on vertigo that you may find helpful:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness/symptoms-causes/syc-20371787 (about vertigo and potential causes, diagnosis and treatment)

- http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/sns-201506090000--tms--premhnstr--k-a20150610-20150610-story.html (information on vertigo causes)

- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vertigo/multimedia/vid-20078163 (a video on vertigo)

A few members on Mayo Clinic Connect who've talked about vertigo or UTIs may have some insights for you on the question of a link between the two, like @jo54, @predictable, @oldkarl, @boredsilly, @tiffmeag3, @gmhelin, @amberpep and @sheeb.

How are you feeling so far today?

Still dizzy, but I am able to walk around the yard with the dog. I don't take any medications except vitamins and Advil; drink lots of water, am not anxious, do not have high blood pressure. Perhaps its age--I am 82 but have always been active. My father had Meniere's Disease and had lost his hearing, but I don't think that condition is inherited. Any suggestions?

@pedie Sorry to hear about your tough spot, but it is not too surprising. First, in spite of what a lot of doctors will tell you, a UTI can and will spill its poison into any of the rest of your body. I get a UTI streak fairly often, and when I do, I notice several things. First, heavy bleeding through my urine, both fresh blood and clots. Second, PVCs become stronger and more frequent. Even my tachycardia gets more violent. Last, my corneal lattice effect from systemic Amyloidosis LiteChain gets worse. The upshot of this really is that I think when you notice anything strange about your body at a time of a UTI flare, you can seriously assume that the UTI has something to do with it. I am 78, and feel lucky to be alive, but sometimes my body feels like the federal government, just shut down when some little thing goes wrong with the negotiations. If you read my larger story, Amyloidosis Dossier at https://bit.Ly/1w7j4j8 , you will see that being our age is more than a pain in the bee-hind. It is serious negotiation with nature. Incidentally, I just looked up Meniere's Disease on the Mayo Clinic search engine, and it does suggest that Meniere's may be caused by "Genetic predisposition". In other words, some gene may cause a situation in your body that causes it to respond to UTI by showing the symptoms of Meniere's. Yes, that would make your whole situation at least secondarily an autoimmune issue, subject to negotiation with nature..

Hi @pedie. Sorry to hear about your vertigo symptoms and your medical team's inability to help much. I have never run across a case where urinary tract infection is a cause of vertigo. Bacterial infections involved in vertigo are cited primarily in cases involving the ears and sometimes in facial or cranial lesions. I suspect that your neurosurgeon's assistant is naturally inclined to look for causes other than the hydrocephalus drain, and I'd want more detailed information about the status of my acoustic neuroma. Your symptoms and treatments thus far strike me as inviting a second opinion from an independent specialist who is willing to explore nervous tissues in your head. Are you in a position to pursue a second opinion?

Thanks for responding. I'm told the neurosurgeon who did the shunt surgery is tops in his field. My next visit will be to a urologist to get some ideas on the UTI and the connection to vertigo.

Your response did make me laugh. Getting old is not for sissies! Thanks for your research on Meniere's. My next stop will be to see a urologist who perhaps can untangle this puzzle.
The vertigo seems a bit less severe, but I'm not ready yet for a hike. And as for the federal government, perhaps we should lock them all up together until they can behave like adults and consider the welfare of their constituents and this country.