Hearing loss due to Ménière’s disease

Hi Julie

Firstly get another doc I have had menieres for 4 decades now I'm on Bethisterine for 6 years now 16mg three times a day it reduces the pressure and tinitus and reduces the amount of attacks many doctors know of our disease but not the answers I wish you well Regards John

Ask to be referred to a specialist asap. There are lots of different treatments out there and they will find the right one for you.

Fil

Look for a neurotologist.

hi julie.......the vertigo for me also comes and goes, and I have tinnitus 24/7 or close to it....its maddening...I also have hearing loss and nausea every day.....I'm still being seen by my ent and Neurologist......been out of work since Jan 28. and now am being told I may have permanent significance hearing loss in both ears

I take ondansetron for the nausea. It works incredibly well. My GP gave it me after I had an eye operation and my MD got so much worse. I only take it if I'm feeling sick and it works really quickly. It's really used for cancer patients on chemo so you can tell it is strong. But so far no side effects - I believe they include constipation, but you could counteract that with other meds.

Fil

Julie, I agree with others to get another opinion. There are treatments. Many do the shots nowadays (here in US), but make sure to have them done by someone who does them all the time. Since you are deaf in the other ear, I do understand the Dr not wanting to risk that. But by doing nothing, if you truly have Menieres, you are risking marked loss in the "good" ear. It is my understanding that the intratympanic steroid injections are done to both stop the vertigo and preserve/restore hearing. That is what the Dr at Stanford told me. Steroid pills like prednisone do have side effects, and are contraindicated in some people, but imo they work! I am not formally diagnosed with Menieres- I've received that diagnosis and the vestibular migraine diagnosis. Regardless, I've had the hearing loss, tinnitus, and horrible dizziness. A steroid pack was the only thing that stopped it. It works for Menieres, migraine, and vestibular neuritis, labrynthitis, etc. A neuro-otologist is a great idea if u can find one in your area. They can make sure the diagnosis is correct, and get you on proper treatment.

are you certain that you have a correct diagnosis of meniere's disease? who made that diagnosis and what tests did they administer to come to that conclusion?

What meds are you currently taking for your symptoms? If in fact you do have MD then there are several benign protocols you should try before any injections.

1. eliminate salt from your diet. Do this immediately
2. ask ENT to put you on 25mg diuretic
3. if after 3 weeks you still have loud tinnitus and ear fullness then add betahistine (as mentioned by other members) and titrate over 8 weeks from 4mg 3x/day to up to 16mg 4x/day. Some folks need even a higher dosage. Betahistine requires a prescription. If your ENT will not prescribe betahistine, then try to find another ENT who will. The best person to see for any one with your symptoms is a neurotologist who is an ENT that specializes in diagnosing/treating vertigo problems....especially vestibular caused vertigo like meniere's disease.
4. Try to stay positive and avoid anxiety....there are meds available that can lesson and control your symptoms. You just need to be proactive in searching for a ENT that knows about the various causes of vertigo/ear fullness/tinnitus. GOOD LUCK!

Hi Julie. I understand a bit of what you're experiencing, I too have only hearing in one ear, and that's the one with the menieres. Since the beginning of August I've had ear pressure which is cutting off my hearing terribly. About a month ago I had a very minor attack and it cleared my pressure completely, my hearing was very good, music was sounding in tune again and the sound distortion was gone. It only lasted a couple of days when the pressure started to build up again. Disappointing, yes! But I was also really very heartened that permanent damage hadn't been done. I still hope to get rid of these symptoms eventually.

Similar to your story, my ENT told me there was nothing much he could do for me given that I have only one functioning ear. None of the destructive therapies can be used. So your ENT just wants to be super careful with your right ear, and I understand that. You can't afford any damage to that ear.

If you can at all, it's important to try and get out of the house and claim back some of your life again. Menieres can rob us of so much. And it can have a big psychological impact on us.

I know you're needing a quick fix, if possible. Continue to try and find a medication or other to help relieve the symptoms (and I'd be interested in that for myself!) But it's also important to try and get yourself fully well, beyond your menieres. And to build a healthy immune system, which is essential for health and well-being.

I know you're not able to return to work yet, but there are some things you might be able to start doing. Eat a good diet; build up your strength by getting daily exercise; get plenty of sleep; look after your gut health and your mental health. These are what I call my Big 5 and they have definitely restored me to the good health I'm enjoying now for the last many months. They have also given me back a sense of control and empowerment in my life, and it's a very good and positive feeling. One can be healthy, while unfortunately still having menieres symptoms. But my hope is that ultimately, my healthy immune system will help to suppress my symptoms.

I'm also taking an antiviral medication.

Wishing you the very best.