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Vertigo triggers bilateral Menieres

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louise98846
louise98846

I now have bilateral Ménière's.  This is not good news.  Was always confident that only one ear was affected.  I am worried that I will lose all my hearing.  I will be getting 2 hearings aids in a few months. No vertigo attacks since February and was feeling optimistic!  I was out for a walk yesterday and suddenly, with no warning, I had a violent vertigo attack.  I ended up on the ground.  Very distressing to say the least.  The vertigo itself did not last very long, maybe a few minutes but really shocked me with its sudden onset.  I usually get some warning.   After this attack yesterday, I feel terrible with loud tinnitus, ear pain, brain fog and imbalance.  I tried to determine the trigger.  I did consume a fairly high sodium lunch at a fast food place.  Also. I was walking fairly fast when it happened.  My Serc dosage has just been increased from 48 mg daily to 96 mg daily.  So it's doubled.  Of course Serc is supposed to prevent attacks so I don't think the dosage change is a culprit.  But getting used to the much higher dose causes extreme tiredness, which should soon pass.  Any feedback would be much appreciated.  Having a bad few days.   Thanks!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • JMJ
    JMJ louise98846

    Posted

    Dear Louise,

    I'm so sorry to hear that you've been diagnosed with bilateral Meniere's.  I can imagine that your worried about hearing loss.  That's a very heavy burden to bear. 

    I felt the same way about having a vertigo attack after a stretch of "normal" — shocked! And the aftermath is so sickening. Sigh.  I hope the increase in Serc will help soon.  RE: the sodium.  It sounds like that could very well have been your trigger.   I know that even while on 2 triamterene/hydrochlorathiazide per day, I still have to be so careful about sodium.  Without exception, my ear acts up when I overdo the salt.  

    I hope you'll be gentle with yourself as you recover from this attack and adjust to your new level of medication.  

    J-

    • louise98846
      louise98846 JMJ

      Posted

      Hi JMJ,  Thanks very much for your reassurance and kind words!  It is an ongoing struggle for sure.  Yes, the recovery from an attack can sap our energy.  We are forever hopeful that any attack will be the last!!  I think you are right about the sodium.  My Dr. said everyone responds differently to sodium.  I think it affects me a lot..  Fatigue is a big trigger for me also.  Probably a combination of the two.  Take care and stay well!   
  • eleftherio33095
    eleftherio33095 louise98846

    Posted

    Has intratympanic steroid injections been discussed with your doctors?  You need to be more aggressive in your treatment due to the bilateral nature.

    Eleftherios S. Papathanasiou, PhD, FEAN

    Clinical Neurophysiologist

    Fellow of the European Academy of Neurology

    • louise98846
      louise98846 eleftherio33095

      Posted

      My Dr. talked to me about it but will see how Serc works in controlling vertigo before the next treatment option is considered. 
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