I think I have meniere's disease

I am going through the exact same symptoms as yourself and no one seems to be listening to me either. I have just asked for another MRI Scan to be done as the pressure in my ears, head are really bad. I have never felt anything like this in my life.

I think you need a second opinion, its sounds to me like you have the symptoms of MD. I can't comment on the diuretic tablets as I've not heard about them being useful, but someone else may know the answer. I had Betahistine but they didn't help me at all. As for the doctor telling you that you have healthy ears that makes no difference as its the pressure that causes your symptoms not healthy ears. Get a second opinion I would.

Dear Frances,

The best way is to listen to yourself and an audiologist.

I started exactly as you - over a period of 7 weeks I went to the audiologist 5 times - they are better to ascertain whether you have MD than an ENT ,

She could show me how my hearing in my right ear lost its frequencies over that period.

If there is no loss of hearing you cant have MD.

I hope its the latter.

Kind regards,

Cliff

Hi Francis. To be diagnosed with MD you need to have the following symptoms:

1. Vertigo that lasts at least 20 minutes. It needs to be vertigo not just dizziness
2. A hearing test has to show that you have lost hearing in the LOW decibel range. This is the key symptom. The hearing loss is permanent....it does not come and go. Sometimes it could be worse than others but the hearing loss is constant.
3. ear fullness/pressure that may come and go
4. tinnitus that is usually constant and may fluctuate in intensity

There are at least a dozen other diseases of the ears (inner and middle) that could cause your symptoms. Or, your symptoms could be caused by allergies. Have you tried using an over the counter sinus rinse and a good nasal spray antihistamine? Have you been tested for allergies?

If you do have MD the normal non invasive treatments are the following:

1. eliminate salt , caffeine and alcohol from your diet
2. go on a diuretic usually 25mg or 50mg of dyazide
3. Betahistine works wonderfully for most MD patients once the ideal dosage is reached for that individual. For some 48mg day is effective, for others it could be higher or even much higher. For those who have tried betahistine and it did not work you may not have taken a high enough dosage for your specific condition. My sweet spot is 64 and sometimes I need 80mg day.

Also Francis the added stress of your symptoms are probably causing enhanced problems. I've found that taking 0.5mg Ativan when symptoms flair up helps calm the nervous system and the inner ear and even reduces tinnitus.

From the symtoms you have described it appears that the ENT was right....you most likely do not have MD at this time.

May I suggest you consult with an otologist who deals with diseases of the ear, tinnitus, M.D. etc. I went to various ENTs and they tried everything, CTscans, MRIs, etc. Then I was referred to an Otologist in Seattle. He performed two surgeries, and though my balance is off, my MD has improved considerably.

Hi Frances, i have had md for 5 years, i am on the same medication as most others and had mri and cat scan but the deciding diagnosis was made from the hearing and balance clinic i now attend regularly, i had tests done watching a screen with goggles on which had cameras attached to it which showed eye ball responses, maybe you could try and get this test done. im not sure if everybody has this test but my clinic have been amazing. good luck.

I suggest the you be very cautious in treatments. I have dealt with a similar vestibular problem for 15 years and still don't have the answer. I , too, have seen many specialists and gotten different answers. MD was the diagnosis by several so I decided to proceed with the Gentamicin injections. It was a mistake as it made the symptoms worse. After two injections, I went to yet another highly recognized ENT in Tucson and after several more test he said it is not MD but has no idea what to do. He stated that unless a person is having drop attacks and severe nausea with the ROOM spinning it is not MD.

I most recently went to a Chiropractic Neurologist in Chandler, Az for treatment and spent a week receiving 12 treatments with very high tech equipment. Even though the Dr tried very hard, it did not help. I have read that it can be successful with some people. Insurance will not cover the treatment and the cost with lodging was about $4,000.

Some people have benefited from VRT. (balance therapy by a certified therapist.

My problem is aggravated by large altitude changes, Barometric changes (storms and wind), peripheral vision (driving), sleeping on my left side.

I wish you success and would like to hear if you find answers. I have learned to live the conditions and try to maintain a positive attitude.