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Recently seen ENT who said I have MD

Posted , 11 users are following.

rachel54547
rachel54547

Hello All,

I am 29 years old and have been battling vertigo since March 2017. I have ear fullness and ringing, and Ive had way more bad days than good. I recently visited an ENT, and I told her my symptoms and they did a hearing test which stated that I have NO HEARING LOSS. She says its MD. My question is how common is it to have MD at 29? What other tests can be done for the right diagnosis? Ive also been to other doctors as well, and I get a different diagnosis each time. Im just here looking for advice and what to do to start feeling better.

0 likes, 27 replies

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  • greg333
    greg333 rachel54547

    Posted

    Sorry about your situation. I was diagnosed with MD when I was 55 so not sure how common for younger people. I'm sure you will get some good advice here. First thing I would try to get a diagnosis that you trust. Find the top ENT in your area or close proximity and visit them if you have not done so already. If you do not have a major hospital near you I would go to a larger market to find a top notch ENT. Second, did anything happen in your life that may have triggered the symptoms? Third, while you are waiting for a trusted diagnosis, I would cut back significantly on your salt intake, cut back on caffeine and alcohol and get your self in shape with a good exercise regime and nutritional diet.  Once you find a doc that you trust and have a trusted diagnosis they will reccomend further actions. Good luck!!

    • rachel54547
      rachel54547 greg333

      Posted

      The only thing that I can think of that triggered symptoms was my job. I was highly stressed during the time and one day I just woke up like this. That was a year ago.
  • Britney1230
    Britney1230 rachel54547

    Posted

    Hi, Rachel. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I know this sound cliche, but you aren't alone. It is so frustrating seeking help from medical professionals sometimes. We are already in a vulnerable enough position. It's difficult, but you have to find the right doctor. Not someone who is going to slap a diagnosis on you and send you away with no idea what to do next. Which diagnostic tests have they ran so far? I am 27 years old and i was diagnosed last year as well.

    • Willow4
      Willow4 rachel54547

      Posted

      They cannot diagnosis MD by a hearing test alone.  They first need to rule out any other issues.  They usually start with a MRI, then a the caloric reflex test (sometimes termed 'vestibular caloric stimulation'wink is a test of the vestibulo-ocular reflex that involves irrigating cold or warm water or air into the external auditory canal.  That is how I was diagnosed after several trips to ER, dr and getting the wrong diagnosis.  Find a good Ear doctor ENT or Otolaryngologist.

      Good luck to you

    • rachel54547
      rachel54547 Willow4

      Posted

      Thats interesting. I wonder why this place is so quick to give me that answer.
    • Willow4
      Willow4 rachel54547

      Posted

      I truthfully believe doctors are unfamiliar with MD.  I work at a doctors office and would notice how many patients were diagnosed with MD. I questioned the dr I worked with and they like to use the diagnosis when they can’t figure out why someone is having dizziness.  I educated them and they don’t use the diagnosis anymore.  They send them to an ENT to get the diagnosis now.  You need to see a specialist and get your answer so you can get treated appropriately. 

      Willow 

  • daniel_43572
    daniel_43572 rachel54547

    Posted

    Sounds like you in the same boat as me 3 different doctors and two said they didn’t see any MD the shea ear client in Memphis tn said I have it but can’t figure out why I have no hearing loss I’m currently just dealing with it an no meds so everyday is a big struggle I just stay at home most days cause along with whatever it is I have developed anxiety of going anywhere this has been going on for 5 years. I had the steroid injection but I couldn’t tell it helped any. Good luck with yours I hope they figure it out soon. What are your symptoms?
    • yolanda29073
      yolanda29073 daniel_43572

      Posted

      Hi Daniel! Am sorry to hear you have been dealing with this for 5 years with no help. There is no actual cure for our illness, but there is treatment to help you cope. Why your doctors are not helping you find the best treatment available I don’t know. The majority of us here are on similar medication, maybe mention it to your doctor and see whether that’s an option for you as well. Am on Betahistine 16mg 3x a day, which is a huge help, and usually the first thing prescribed when you present with these symptoms, even before oficial diagnosis. Also try looking into the dietary changes and lifestyle changes you can make to help. Salt, alcohol and smoking are the big ones. Keep checking on here, there’s always new ideas on how to cope and what meds are working, and is also a place where you can talk with people with similar issues.
  • Dizzydaddy
    Dizzydaddy rachel54547

    Posted

    Rachel

    I feel for you. My symptoms started when I was 32 and I'm now 50. Early on for diagnosis my ENT ordered an MRI and also did a series of balance tests as well. There is a really extensive research paper/guide that was done by some specialists at UCSF that I would recommend. https://ohns.ucsf.edu/sites/ohns.ucsf.edu/files/menieres_guide_v4.pdf

    I've found that you have to be really persistent with the doctors you are working with to go through all the different scenarios to make sure it is actually MD. Good luck!

  • nancy17992
    nancy17992 rachel54547

    Posted

    Rachel, so sorry you are having to deal with MD. The only advice I can give you is fine a ENT that deals with this disease. My son went to one of the best ENT amd was told he would have to live with it, so then went to a ENT that was not in fancy offices, but did tests and recommended he have a tube inserted to drain fluid . My son only had the problem in one ear and after the in office surgery it relieved the fullness in ear and the vertigo was gone and its been 2 months and has not come back. The ringing is still there but he is managing to function with that and go back to work and his social life.

    • rachel54547
      rachel54547 nancy17992

      Posted

      Was there actually fluid in the ear? How long after the surgery did he start to feel better?
  • Lizzie1453
    Lizzie1453 rachel54547

    Posted

    Hi Rachel,  I knew I had bad hearing in my right ear after a cold years ago & when I asked to have my ears syringed years later I was told the tube was blocked. I went to my GP two years ago after horrible vertigo & sickness & she did the Epley manoeuvre to correct the crystals in my ear. I was booked for an ENT appointment and an MRI scan to rule out a tumour. I was also sent for a hearing test. My GP prescribed Betahistine & my ENT upped the dose to 16mg x3 daily

  • Lizzie1453
    Lizzie1453 rachel54547

    Posted

    Sorry finished too soon . Your Ent should have started you on Betahistine as it takes a month to get into your system .  My sister in law has MD but has no hearing loss, she took it at 34 and is 70 now and very rarely has an attack so only takes medication when necessary. Good luck, hope you get some satisfaction.
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