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Off work since last fall, filing for disability due to Menieres

Posted , 7 users are following.

louise98846
louise98846

i was diagnosed with right sided Ménière's disease 4 months ago. I've been on sick leave since September 2016.  Was hoping to return to work after a trial period with the Meniett device to see if it works. But it has not made a difference.  Vertigo strikes mostly when I have stress or fatigue.  Lately, the most awful symptoms are louder tinnitus, ear pressure and fullness with some ear pain, imbalance.  I have lost hearing in right ear.  Can't plan on doing anything as I don't know how I'll feel from one day to the next.  That seasick feeling and brain fog is bad and I am worried it will never go away!  Has anyone filed for disability due to Menieres. I would appreciate any tips.  This is a horrible affliction and mostly invisible to others!  Thanks for your help.

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • eleftherio33095
    eleftherio33095 louise98846

    Posted

    Ask you doctor about intratympanic steriods.  This should go right to the problem.

    Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

    Clinical Neurophysiologist

    Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • louise98846
      louise98846 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      Thank you for your response!  I will speak to ENT about this at my next appointment. 
  • daniel_43572
    daniel_43572 louise98846

    Posted

    Louise I have been off work for 3 years with mine I totally understand what you are dealing with. I have filled for disability and after two years I finally have a hearing date in April I'm hoping they approve it. I also have a appointment with a new ear doctor February 14 I'm really hoping he can get me fixed cause the other doctor hasn't seemed to be able to. I get the brain fog so bad I can't focus or do anything dizzy spells are not to bad most days but the ringing is none stop and the fullness in my ear gets really bad sometimes and I can hear my voice echo. I have pretty much cut myself from the outside world and just set at the house and of course the panic attacks that come with it are bad. I sure wish you luck and hopefully whatever state you in move faster than Mississippi with disability and you get approved most of all I hope you get better.

    • louise98846
      louise98846 daniel_43572

      Posted

      Daniel, Sounds like you have same issues!  Sorry to hear.  It takes a long time to sort things out, I have discovered!  I hope your new ear doctor can really help you.  Overfocus on symptoms is a problem too, as there are so many.  High sodium food is a trigger for me.  I refuse to take a diuretic due to it causing constant headache.  Meditation can be helpful to clear the mind.  Stay positive!
    • daniel_43572
      daniel_43572 louise98846

      Posted

      Thanks Louise! I can't take diuretics either cause of low blood pressure they had me on steroids but they didn't seem to help I have had the ear surgery where they put steroids behind the ear drum it didn't help but some people say it takes two or three times for it to work good so we will see what the new doctor says. Fingers are crossed cause I need my life back. Hopefully yours will get better also hang in there

  • angela84522
    angela84522 louise98846

    Posted

    You poor thing. So sorry. I was diagnosed with October 2016 on the right side as well. It's life changing. I added pine bark extract this last week and I feel like the brain fog lifted along with dizzy spells. That was great. Hoping it continues to help. I am on a natural diuretic and low Salt Diet. I had to stop working as well. Hoping to start back part time. We will see. I am to new to this to know anything disability but would like to know what others are saying.

  • angela84522
    angela84522 louise98846

    Posted

    Natural Diuretics help. I can't do prescription because I am allergic to sulfur and it makes me extremely sick. Horsetail, dandelion pull or extract are good options.

    • pamela01382
      pamela01382 angela84522

      Posted

      You take diuretics for this . I've never heard of it. What does it do.

  • pamela01382
    pamela01382 louise98846

    Posted

    Hi Louise I was diagnosed with Meniere Disease in 2015, after going to hearing and balance center. I fell in 2012at work. Was sent to a doctor who was my family do to be treated for the fall. But not knowing that he was the Workmen Comp doctor trusted him. All he did was take and Xray of my sprain ankle. I told him that my head was hurting but he told me to go to another doctor. So I went to my family doctor. My family doctor said I had a sinus infection. Took the med he prescribe. The headache never went away. So I went back to him said the same thing. The dizziness started getting worse to the point I clasp went to ER. This was in Nov. 2012, doctor said he didn't no what was wrong. Went to family doctor finally he said vertigo. Went to E N T he said vertigo but didn't know how to treat me. My ON GUN sent me to a neurologist. I he wanted to do is give me medication never told me he didn't know how to treat me. I have very low tolerance to medication. In 2015 is when I was diagnosed Meniere's Disease after I was referred to the Hearing and Balance Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Then they couldn't do anything for me because it had advanced. So in August of 2015 I changed family doctor and he sent me to a neurologist. Who was able to help me but I always dizzy. The medication Trokendi XR is what I take as needed because I sleep for days . I have to be woken up by my husband are who ever is in the home with me. I learned to cope with it I started taxi chi and found that it help a whole lot. It help me with balance and I 'm starting to see a difference in the dizziness.

    • louise98846
      louise98846 pamela01382

      Posted

      It took 5-6 years for me to get a diagnosis of Ménière's.  Am on SERC for vertigo.  Booked for extensive balance testing in April this year.  I had a great symptom free period in December during which I over indulged at Xmas.  Symptoms returned with a vengeance!  I will be resuming my vestibular exercises which improved my balance in the past. I saw a vestibular physiotherapist for this and she was very helpful.   I am being

      fitted with a hearing aid soon as right hearing almost nonexistent. The audiologist recommended the CROS hearing aid.  You can google what the letters stand for.  The hearing loss is severely affecting my social life. But it took me awhile to come to terms with it and get hearing aid.  As far disability, the testing is crucial, in order to prove one's case.  I hope there is a cure for this soon.  There are clinical trials in the works for a drug called. OTO 104.   

  • carol04816
    carol04816 louise98846

    Posted

    I hear of all the bad experiences everyone has. I hope mine doesn't get worse. My neighbor across the street had to go on disability. She has possibly Meniers, but definitely migraine induced vertigo. She has not worked for a couple of years now.

    I still only get real sick a few times a year. But I have imbalance daily. Another problem is not being able to look up for very long.

  • dymond
    dymond louise98846

    Posted

    HI I ALSO WAS OUT SINCE JUNE 2016 AN FILED FOR DISABLITY.I HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS BUT NOW BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE VESTIBULAR LABYRINTHIS.NO ONE REALLY HAS AN ANSWER BUT ONE THING FOR I CANNOT GO BACK TO MY CAREER AN THATS BEING A BUS DRIVER.I HAVS TRIEd ALL KINDS OF MEDS EVEN INJECTIONS.THE FULLNESS IN EARS NEVER STOPPED 8 MONTHS AGO.GOOD LUCK
    • louise98846
      louise98846 dymond

      Posted

      Hi, I was told I had vestibular labyrinthitis by a Ear Nose Throat specialist about 5 years ago.  I asked him on a few occasions if it was Menieres, he said no.  He would check the nerves to my ear and my hearing, with special equipment in his office. My symptoms continued and I thought there was nothing to be done, except wait till the labyrinthitis subsided.  My brother suggested I get a second opinion, which I did.  The second ENT diagnosed me with Menieres.  I am now under the care of a third ENT who is a little further from me but in whom I have the utmost confidence. Sorry to hear you cannot return to driving.  I find I limit my driving, Ear fullness and pressure are with me also.  Am hoping for some relief.  Take care and I wish you the best.
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