just diagnosed and quite worried

I feel for you sandy67 u r describing me above. I am an audio typist but not sure if I should be doing that anymore with this problem. I am struggling to stop depression - so bored - want to work but would have big problems getting to and from let alone actually doing my job. The vision problems you are having are exactly like mine but it's not a constant thing with me, it comes and goes. I haven't actually been diagnosed yet so this forum is really enlightening me. This is a horrible thing to deal with every day - 9 weeks for me now - I was given one tip from physio (for other probs) to help me keep my balance which may help u - Don't move but slowly move your head in the direction you want to go - focus on an object in that direction and slowly move towards it. Takes a bit of practice but it does seem to reduce the amount of falls I have had. Hope it helps you. Keep your chin up x?

And, if you haven't got them yet , a walking stick or wheeled tripod walker are invaluable. Have someone scour the charity shops for you I got both for £12 help me no end.

That is the way it goes and had those experiences myself.  I had to really challenge myself to get up and keep going and yes the fullness and sweating!  Nearly two years on with a strict regime of walking, balance exercises, yoga and breathing exercises. they dont tell you what to expect and how to handle as its all relative to you.  But I had to try to do a little more than what I tried the previous day.  Its hard but I had  to capitalise on the times I felt ok and go for a walks.  or even up and down the stairs a few times.  Betahistines has been working for me. One thing I did experience was stiffness in my neck but lying down and stretching my hand up really does help me. The stress is a real nuisance but I cant say enough about the value of reducing. The hazy and smokey is an effect I certainly experienced.   i am wearing sunglases and a cap to keep the glare out. Lots of helpful hints on this site if you can bear to trawl through.

What dose and how long have you been on the medication? Betahistine takes time to work and the dose may need to be quite high. I have just had a minor recurrence having been free of symptoms for well over a year. On Consultant advice I am taking 48mg 3 times daily and may increase the dose further if necessary.

Have you had an MRI scan to screen for other causes? Acute attacks are not supposed to last more than 24 hrs. If it has not already happened you would probably be helped most by seeing a consultant Auralphysiologist.

Don't despair just yet - 70% of sufferers get better!

Sandy, good morning. Sorry you are having such a hard time. 

How many different doctors have you seen? One is not enough. Several might not be enough. Advice from my run around the doctors. Do not tell the next doctor you already have been diagnosed with Meniere's. I think if I had done that I would have had better luck. See a nurologist. Menirere's is hard to diagnose.

I had many of the symptoms that are the same as Meniere's.

I had frontal lobe seizures. Seizures can be controled. Menirere's is much more trouble as the medications are of limited help.

Keep trying. The noise will be less of a problem as time continues. Mine is constant but I have learned not to listen. 

Good luck.           Dan T.

 

Good morning Sandy, you aren't alone. As I said on here last night I am so glad I found this forum. It sounds like you are describing me except fortunately my spinning/vertigo is not main problem. What is driving me crazy is the pressure and constant loud noises (always bad ringing since last attack two weeks ago sounded like helicopter engines whirring inside my head). I understand about it affecting your job. Fortunately I was planning on retirement on August 1 which I did. But after reading your post and a previous post I now realize my blurry smoky vision is most likely from the Meniere's. I thought when I got my new glasses last year that the Rx was wrong but optician who made the glasses swore that it was the right one that the Opthomologist had written. Will mention to ENT next week on checkup. As far as driving I would be very careful as the vertigo stacks can come on without warning. I had a scare a couple of months ago and had to pull over quickly. Luckily I was on a city street lined with driveways. My husband was with me and thought I was crazy. I just blurted out "I need to stop". It was minor but I was woozy throughout dinner (we were heading out to eat). Oh and lastly definitely keep your sodium count low. I was religious at keeping it around 1600 or 1700 for the first week after last attack and it helped tremendously. Went off a little this weekend and ringing terribly again. I actually chart it so I will stay on track. Best of luck and hoping for relief soon.

Dear Sandy,

I'm so very sorry to hear that you're going through such a rough time.  It's all very scary at first.  I was diagnosed 14 months ago, and have experienced the gamut of symptoms.  I remember being so mixed up and addled, I thought I was getting Alzheimers!  But my ENT reassured me that many Meniere's patients experience "fog brain" as well as a lot of anxiety.  What's not to be anxious about?  You never know when the vertigo is going to hit next!  For me, I began to calm down when I got rescue meds that actually worked:  Meclazine, Glycopyrrolate, and Clonazepam.  That was the magic trio for me, and helped me to cope with the attacks until they finally abated after 9 inner ear injections with steroids.  Another thing that helped me early on was 12 sessions with a physical therapist who worked with me on vestibular rehab and balance retraining.  The exercises she taught me really helped to be less tippy between attacks, and the the vestibular rehab part helped to desensitize me a bit, to all of that weird wooziness I was always feeling.  For me, the Meniere's generated a lot of anxiety and depression.  It was life changing.  I'm only just now, 14 months later, beginning to come out of that, somewhat.  One thing I've experienced that I don't read much about, is my need for WAY more sleep that I used to need.  I need 10 hours of sleep in order to feel good.  It's like the Meniere's drained my resources, and somehow created a need for much more sleep!  In terms of symptoms, there is nothing that would surprise me. I think everyone's nervous system is a little different, and many of us experience odd variations of the core Meniere's symptoms. 

Again, I'm so sorry you're having to go through this.  I hope you find some relief soon, and find yourself able to go back to work.  Be really gentle with yourself, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest.   Keep us updated on your progress!

J-