reply to jjc: Jon is correct in that it does sound suspiciously like Meniere's Disease when you have V&V (vomiting and vertigo). Can't tell from your ID, but, if you are a female, particularly one in her 40s, think about trying hormones. I've had Meniere's most of my life. During my 20s and 30s I had two classic V&V crises, both brought on my temporarily ceasing birth control pills (i.e., hormones). During my early 40s, I was considered "too old" to take birth control pills. Each month I had ever more serious V&V episodes within a day on the onset of a period. After eight months, I found myself spending hours on the bathroom floor in a pool of vomit--not a pretty picture! My primary doc and I didn't need lots of research to see that there appeared to be some connection with hormone levels, so we began to explore what would be "safe" for someone in their 40s. We spent four years seeking the right combo, and I was increasingly ill with V&V episodes that lasted 12-15 hours, 2 or 3 times every week. Lost all hearing and balance function on my right side. Because much of my job could be done at any day or hour, I was able to continue to manage a small publishing company and do frequent travel connected to the job, but it was a constant struggle. Finally, an OB/Gyn from Texas that my husband and I fished with whenever he was in the Northwest, told me exactly what I should take as replacement hormone (HRT). Less than a month after starting his program (with my own doc's approval), I quit having crises of V&V and was able to begin a program of vestibular rehab. Unfortunately, I had permanently lost both hearing and balance on the right side, but, with daily rehab exercises I was able to be active outdoors and continue to work in the sportfishing publishing world.
Then, May 24, 2019, at 6:45, the Meniere's went bilateral by attacking my left ear, which, at 77, already had some age-related loss. For almost a year I was close to functionally deaf. My new primary doc has had breast cancer so has a great fear of any HRT and wouldn't prescribe it. As the deafness continued, I had more and more episodes of V&V, until I wasn't able to function normally, was afraid to drive on the highway lest I'd need to pull over and some kind policeman would have me carted off to a hospital. I was desperate, so finally found a local doc willing to prescribe HRT. In less than two weeks not only did the V&V cease, but my hearing returned to the level where it had been prior to going bilateral. In early May, I started two doses of hormones every day, balanced with 5mg progesterone for every 2mg estrogen, which is a "safe" combination not likely to cause cancer. By August, I was able to cut back to a half dose every other day, and I'm about ready to try half doses every day...as long as neither the hearing I have left or balance are affected. I did go to a vestibular PT to brush up on the latest VRT (vestibular rehab therapy). At 78, I can now wade rivers, hike in difficult trailless terrain, and live a normal active life. I can't begin to say how exciting it was to hear things again: birds, voices, even everyday things like hearing that the car is running rather than depending upon the gauges! I can hear the dishwasher or washer instead of having to touch the sides of the appliance to feel if it's running.
There has only been one study of women with Meniere's and hormones, done in China, but it does prove that a fairly high percentage of middle-aged or older women with Meniere's will respond to HRT.