Help- Need Advise

Hi zsanders1,

Yes I am able to eat salty foods, drink alcohol,  etc without having a vertigo attack BUUTTT I take a diuretic daily so I’m not sure if that’s why ?  The diuretuc is the only thing that took away the fullness in my ears.  I still get jumpy eyes and anxiety sometimes.  I have Valium I take when my anxiety gets too bad or if I feel an attack could come on and all symptoms go away.  The Valium shuts down the signals to the vestibular nerve.  Hope this helps....

Hi,

It seems like everyone is different when it comes to salt sensitivity.....and of course taking a diuretic helps to eliminate that variable to some extent.  I both keep the salt down and take a diuretic....and I've been doing it for so long now, it's just part of life.  

When I go overboard with salt, I tend to feel it a couple of days later...it's not an instant thing.  Salt reduction is just part of many overall plans for dealing with the congestion of the inner ear (Hydrops) that leads to vertigo.  If it helps you, stick with it.  If it doesn't seem to matter, then I guess you should pay attention to the triggers that result in vertigo and try to eliminate those.

Where your symptoms began with an ear infection, I'm wondering if you've been dealing with labyrinthitis?  The symptoms in terms of vertigo, dizziness, nystagmus etc...are the same, but you don't have the hearing loss, and it's not progressive in nature.  Did you have a workup that included an audiogram, MRI etc?

I hope you feel much better soon!!!

J-  

I also get shaking inside a lot of days and that’s the worst and I have no idea where it comes from if anyone knows please share. 

Your story sounds a lot like mine, currently doctors don’t know whether I have neuritis or menieres. Except I didn’t have an ear infection I jusy had a cold before all this set in. Although I do get attacks they’re not dependent on whether I have salt or not. Sometimes I don’t have an attack for a number of months but I have cut out salt because I don’t want to deal with that fear. Your vertigo sounds exactly like mine though, pretty constant. Let me know if you get further diagnosis! I also have panic attacks but only when I think I’m getting an attack (just severe dizziness). All the best. 

Hi Zsanders. Having read all these replies I am once again amazed at the variety of symptoms and medication. Everyone is different. Like JMJ I wonder if you have labyrinthitis which is what I was first diagnosed with. I take betahistine to control symptoms and I am now stable on 8mg x3 per day. I am sure if I stopped taking it I would have further attacks of vertigo. I have recently stopped using salt in cooking but I’m not sure if there has been any benefit. I limit my caffeine intake too as this is said to help reduce tinnitus. I think this has helped. Alcohol has in the past been a trigger and I’m wondering if I dare risk a glass at Christmas. I’m not sure it’s worth the risk. 

I have Menieres and keep my salt intake to 1500mg per day and I cannot drink any alcohol. It makes it extremely worse.  I also have to take dyazide daily which is a water pill. Have your Dr check you specifically for Menieres.  Do your eyes move very quickly that is caused nystagmus.  But with Menieres I do get a lot of anxiety.  But I would get a specific diagnosis.  

Thank you everyone. The weird part is I only had true vertigo once. That was back in April. The only thing that really happens is I can get extreme anxiety or some days feel a little off balance. I just don't feel normal. I feel like the issue is in my eyes and focusing. It's such a crazy thing. Does anyone notice if the effects get worse if they exercise ? I use to work out 5 days a week and be healthy as a horse but now I do not work out at all. Sometimes I feel like the fatigue makes it worse, but I would not say I have vertigo. I can shake my head back and fourth and up and down and be fine. 

Before I was diagnosed with Meniere’s I was told labyrinthitis by my gp so I joined the on line support group. The symptoms you describe are what I read on that site. There are several vestibular disorders not just labyrinthitis. You really need to get an appointment with a neuro-otologist and have a correct diagnosis. Then you will be able to receive appropriate treatment. I’m planning on doing the same thing so my gp will prescribe the correct level of medication. Are you in U.K.?