question about Menieres Disease

Posted by STYERS @styers, Aug 23, 2011

I have dizziness that last for days with vomiting, hearing loss in one ear and ringing in that ear. My doctor has diagnoised me with menears and run a MRI. The MRI show everything is normal with my ear. I don't see how everything can be normal when half of my hearing is gone in that ear, it has constant ringing and I can not even move my head some days without vomiting. Has anyone had these systems and the doctor not be able to find out what is wrong?

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MarciaJN | @marciajn | Sep 29, 2011

My MRI was normal but was diagnosed with Menieres disease. I was put on prednisone for 2 weeks, Valium when the spinning starts, a daily diuretic and a low salt diet. Was doing much better until I went on a trip to Europe and now everything is back. Tried so hard to eat low sodium but it is difficult when you are out. We also had a very hectic schedule, time change, etc. That I think retriggered it. Am holding off going back to ENT to see if things will settle down. Hearing is crappy in left ear and it's like an alarm clock is going off in my ear at all times.

Robertkm49 | @robertkm49 | Oct 12, 2011

I wish to contribute my experience regarding this post -- in case it is a help to others. I have scanned the comments and, generally speaking, can say I have experienced all the symptoms (and then some -- tinnitus and vertigo can be so relentless that you can not even sleep -- much less get out of bed and have any kind of existence), tried all the meds, had all the "tests" (including spinal taps) and seen numerous specialists including UCLA Medical School & world famous House Ear Clinic in LA. Mine was/is a life changing experience. I am now 62 and had to drop out of college because I woke up one morning and had to crawl out of bed -- vertigo, tinnitus, vomiting and had 100% hearing loss in my right ear. This went on for months/years. There is a reason why Van Gogh cut off his ear and why "Starry Night" was painted the way it was. Second only to pain, ear problems file most of the top ten disabling symptoms. Briefly and loosely stated, the best label current western "medicine" have given me is that of Menieres. I have gotten fairly good about evaluating ENT types and I am not very impressed. Roughly speaking the 80/20 rule applies to them (and doctors in general). I hope everyone can persevere and find a good doctor who falls in the 20% category -- someone who truly puts the patient first and is good at their trade. After several years and many ENTs, specialists, "tests & procedures", I stumbled upon an ENT type who said try this ... it will help. It was Valium at 5mg three times per day. Within 4 to 6 hours my vertigo completely stopped -- after many years. For me this was like a miracle: I could now drive a care and earn a living. It is important to be sure you are put on an effective dose -- there is no room for wimpy "doctors". As I look back, over the years, I often wonder: could all those "doctors" be so dumb -- why wasn't this offered up early in my medical experience -- even if only as a diagnostic tool.
For those who may be stuck with on-gong balance problems (because of ear damage) the body does some good adaptation but it takes time (if you are fortunate enough to find good help, you might be able to accelerate the process. The eyes, legs (muscle groups) and feet all help compensate for the loss of the ear(s). Since I did not trust my ability to drive safely (vertigo could get worse with little or no warning), I did a lot of walking and trying to ride a bicycle. Bicycle riding was probably a great balance exercise for training the eyes to carry on were the ear stopped. The point is that one can regain 80 to 90% of your balance back. It isn't perfect. For me, if I get caught in a really dark room (without a focal light source), I stop moving and do a controlled crash to the ground -- I have lost any sort of balance control. Now, when that happens, I just think it is funny and crawl my way to achieve some sort of focal reference points.
I know things can be much worse and I am always amazed at how the body works at healing -- or should I say balance --itself. Regrettably, there is more to this tale. I hope that my narrative is a help. Never give up.