Managing dizziness & nausea
Posted , 6 users are following.
I was diagnosed w MD last year and I'm still getting used to it. All in all I don't think I have too bad of a time of it. Although saying that- there is no consistency in how it manifest itself so far, so on a bit of a journey to adjust my expectations. In the last 9 months I had maybe 1-2 months w/o symptoms. Each symptomatic period is slightly different.
My ear feels full almost constantly since first onset and hearing is bad more days (muffled, tinny) than not w tinnitus. Tinnitus is totally manageable (my first set of episodes involved extreme tinnitus so I have a v high tolerance!). When I have actual attacks they are very mild and over within a couple of minutes and not really an issue. What I am currently struggling w is the residual dizziness and nausea. After an attack it lingers, but to the extent that I am struggling to work. Visual stimuli in particular seem to set it off - reading smth of a screen or scrolling on a screen, movements across my line of sight and sometimes even people waving their hands when talking makes me dizzy, nauseous and unable to concentrate. Sometimes when it gets really bad I can't really move around at all. (I am also getting manageable but annoying pain in the back of my neck/head which start to accompany this. This is only on the MD side. Anyone else?)
Last time these symptoms cleared up 24hr hours after one of my attacks but this time its been over 2 weeks. I'm getting really frustrated and stressed about my work being affected as I can't work at full capacity and often end up needing to go home early. I want my brain back! My job involves needing to do quite a lot of analytical thinking and clear communicating.
Does anyone have any tips of how I can manage this part of the MD?
I am on low salt diet (turns out everything tasty has salt in it. Who knew?) and dr gave me betahistine. I don't drink alcohol and keep caffeine down to 1 cup a day max. I normally exercise but I'm currently too tired to do much after work.
Ihave seen ENT specialist several times since this started but I am in the beginning of my journey so most of it has been about diagnosis rather than management and normally there's months btwn appointments. GP haven't been much help. And as I said - every time I go things have changed slightly. My next appointment is some further vestibular testing and possibly getting physio sorted.
Just looking for some tips how to deal w the every day for now.
0 likes, 5 replies
michael98270 louise62813
Edited
I was able to remove all of my MD symptoms with diet change, I'd recommend something like he AIP diet. It takes time but it helped me 100% My hearing is back to normal no attacks in 2 years, no ear fullness, no low end ringing. Of course my diet is now limited, no tree nuts, no black pepper, no oats. But I think it is worth it to have my hearing back and clarity of mind. I am not saying this is a cure all, but I have spoken with a few people on other boards and they have had similar results. Also From their experience the longer you wait the more your hearing gets damaged and doesn't seem to bounce back. So I say give it a try, test out AIP if you don't feel better in a month go back to eating whatever you want.
tanney louise62813
Posted
what is the dose of betahistine you are taking? Maintenance dosage is 16mg three times/day but most folks need more. when you reach the right dosage for you your ear fullness and dizziness/vertigo will most likely diminish significantly.
Planning to have the vestibular testing is great. The results will tell you for certain if you have MD or another inner ear disease that is similar. Also I'm glad to hear that you are considering Vestibular Rehap Therapy. VRT is very benign but will greatly assist you to be more balanced and less dizzy. Good luck.
Ali_is_my_name louise62813
Posted
I would advice talk to a chiropractor and a TMJ trained dentist. I had all these symptoms for a year but now much better, no vertigo since 11 months, I do have manageable tinnitus tough.
NeddyO louise62813
Posted
It sounds as if you have not been definitely diagnosed with Menieres so I hope your next tests resolve that issue. If not already done enquire about an MRI scan to exclude other possible causes. Nonetheless you definitely need to up the betahistine dose to achieve full control and protect your hearing - damage is progressive and largely irreversible. I take 64mg tds which has stopped attacks and ear fullness and reduced tinnitus to background. Once you are fully controlled - 5 to 6 months - with no attacks you can gradually wean off. Go back to previous highest effective dose if warning signs return. This approach has worked for me with long periods of remission and no brain fog or skills impairment. You will need Consultant support for this or your GP is unlikely to be willing to prescribe beyond the max dose - 16mg tds - listed in the BNF. Remember betahistine is a long term treatment that takes about a month to become fully effective once you are on the right dose.
You do not mention if you are taking anything for the vertigo and nausea. I reserve anti-emetics for symptomatic relief when an attack starts and stop once attack subsides. Over the counter drugs dont work - Buccastem and Stemetil (prochlorperazine) do the trick if taken soon enough but they do make you drowsy. They only treat symptoms and do nothing for the underlying cause of Menieres.
I hope this helps.
Good luck.
chipp louise62813
Posted
hope you get to feeling better, I started out the same way it's been since 2008 I still fee these systems I have had a surgery n my neck