I am worried I have meniere's ? PLEASE READ
Posted , 13 users are following.
hello everyone. I am posting here because I don't know what else to do and I would really love everyone's opinion on this. so im 20 years old & a few months back, in January, I was just getting over an ear infection and a cold and so my ears had been stuffed up for a little while, specifically my right ear because that's where I had the infection. I was pretty much over the cold, but my ear was still stuffed. out of nowhere I was laying down and the room started spinning, and i was TERRIFIED. I thought i was going to faint and almost went to the ER but I just decided to stay in bed and see if it got better and have my boyfriend take me to the dr in the morning. it didn't improve all through the night I would get vertigo for about 30 seconds every time i moved my head up or down or looked from side to side. it was so awful. this lasted for about 3 days. Let me also say that I have severe anxiety and health anxiety so i was really freaking out. I googled all my symptoms and menieres kept coming up, and I began to convince myself that's what I had. I went to the ENT and they checked my hearing and looked at my ears and said everything was good and that it was probably just BPPV. I want to also mention that i do have tinnitus randomly that will last for a few seconds and just comes and goes maybe every few days, which i have not found a cause for, but could be related to my TMJ. So I am still completely convinced that i have menieres because I have tinnitus, my ear had a full feeling, and I had vertigo. I told all this to my doctor and he said it wasnt that, but I CANNOT stop worrying all the time. (btw the vertigo has not happened since) i'm so sorry this was so long, if you are still reading please give me your thoughts if you have menieres or know about it. should i get more testing done? I just want to feel normal again! thanks so much.
0 likes, 23 replies
mary16977 Peach104839
Posted
Hello Peach! You'll get lots of support and advice here. Don't despair...MD isn't fatal and if it turns out you do have it, there are lots of things to try. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
At this point I think time will tell the tale of whether you have MD or another disorder that mimics MD. Or maybe it's just taking awhile for your inner ear to get back to normal after your infection. Very often the ear fullness precedes an attack and you'll notice hearing loss during or around the time of an extreme vertigo attack as well. But not always
That's the hard thing about MD , it presents differently in people. 
I have constant tinnitus that only varies if I'm stressed or have too much sodium. I wear bilateral hearing aids because my hearing loss became permanent. I'm slightly dizzy 24/7 but our brains are amazing at compensating!
There are some otc meds you could try at home. Brand names Bonine or Dramamine for the dizzies. Antihistamines and diuretics can help but defer to your ENT or GP with all meds.
JMO but I think it's too soon in your case to say for sure you have MD but stay on top of this...ask your doctor for answers. Get something for your stress and anxiety cuz those are triggers for many people for sure!
Meditate...adopt a low sodium/low sugar diet (I stay at 1000mg sodium daily)...rest...drink a LOT of fluids to stay hydrated. Check here often for support and ideas. We all know what you just went thru...we can sympathize.
All the best,
~ Mary
Peach104839 mary16977
Posted
thank you so much for all the advice. I've been to the ENT and he told me that it was BPPV, and I haven't had any vertigo since that one time. but i do have very bad anxiety disorder so im still very concerned that i have it even though i've been told everything is fine. thank you for reading and for the advice
Willow4 Peach104839
Posted
Peach104839 Willow4
Posted
I did go to the ENT and he told me that it was BPPV. I haven't had any dizziness since the first time, but I just have bad anxiety so i just keep worrying about it even though the doctor told me everyting was fine. I was just hoping to hear from people who have if what they thought! thank you for your response.
glennmorr Peach104839
Posted
Greetings Peach104,
I truly hope you don't have Meneire's it has been a very trying year for me. I was diagnosed after having a specific test for pressure readings. I tried a steroid shot through the ear drum but it didn't help. I have had hearing loss and vertigo and nausea attacks which haven't re-occurred since I got mastoid bone surgery to help relieve the pressure in the inner ear caused by too much sodium in my diet. I am on a low sodium diet now and take extra potassium to help balance the fluids (self diagnosed because it seems to help the fullness). I also take a few drops of hemp oil CBD under my tongue if I feel light headed which used to trigger an attack coming. I was subscribed 2mg valium for dizziness and it helps also but I don't take it very often. If the first Dr you saw won't test you for Meneire's you should try another ENT.
It needs to be diagnosed so you can get help. If I had to do all over again, I may have tried betahistine first with a low sodium (1,500mg) diet before surgery. Best of luck to you!
Peach104839 glennmorr
Posted
Peach104839
Posted
nancy60118 Peach104839
Posted
Since you have had no more episodes of vertigo, I don't think you need more testing. I do not know of any specific test for Meniere's but it requires 4 symptoms, tinnitus, fullness in the ear, hearing loss, and vertigo. A one time episode of vertigo does not inidicate Meniere's.
maria77273 glennmorr
Posted
Hi glennmorr I also had the steroid injection through the eardrum. Didn't work on me either but on top of that the perforated eardrum didn't heal so now I have to be extra careful with infection. I don't want an operation at my age (65) to close the hole. How do you measure your salt intake so precisely. Can never follow the dosages on pkts
mary16977 maria77273
Posted
Hi Maria!
It's difficult sometimes to stay on top of your sodium intake. Besides label reading (ugh!) the best way is to avoid processed foods, convenience foods, salty snacks, lunch meats, anything from the deli (I work in a deli and almost everything we sell is loaded with salt)
But the best way is to just prepare your food yourself. Start with simple ingredients, add spices you enjoy and no salt
Lean meat/chicken/fish with fresh veggies and fruit that have no added sodium. All the best!
~Mary
glennmorr mary16977
Posted
Very sound advice Mary. Just a couple things to add. I've switched to swiss cheese. You can find under 100mg per slice. Also, in the health food section you can find low sodium items. Prepaired meals around 450mg. I've found low sodium sauce for spagetti and I will even measure out two tbls of salsa for a special treat, about 320 mg.
maria77273 glennmorr
Posted
Wow thanks I love Swiss cheese as far as the other things go I do make my own sauces so that's no problem. Thks again.
tanney Peach104839
Posted
Peach, Meniere's Disease (MD) diagnosis almost always needs to include hearing loss in low decibel range as determined by audiologist via a hearing test. You state that your hearing test was normal. It appears that you currently do not have MD. There are many other inner/middle ear diseases/problems that resemble MD. Please look at the website below for info on other possible problems. This is the website of the Vestibular Disorders Association....the most respected non-profit association dealing with ear problems. The advice given by other forum writers is sound and good. Avoid salt, caffeine, alcohol, stress and anxiety. Ask your doctor for a low dose Benzo such as Ativan 0.5mg. This will calm your nerves and your inner ear and is not addictive at this low dose. But read the articles below carefully and follow your doctor's orders and you should be fine in a short time. Good luck!
http://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorder/types-vestibular-disorders
nancy60118 Peach104839
Posted
I agree with your ENT. You had an episode of BPPV and do not have Meniere's. Meniere's patients also have hearing loss. I have had Meniere's for 20 years so feel qualified to answer your question.
lana56327 Peach104839
Posted
I have had Meniere's for 9 years and I think, like your ENT, that it sounds like BPPV. Vertigo that is brief and happens when your head turns or you roll over, is typical of BPPV. Did your doctor mention the 'Epley Maneuver'? That can sometimes help if loose 'crystals' in your ear cause the feelings. You can check online for that or ask your ENT about it. I hope you start feeling better soon. MD usually starts with fairly frequent vertigo that lasts quite a long time, followed by a long sleep. Good luck and try not to worry. As others have said, stress will only make things worse. But I know that is easier said than done.