Meniere's Disease Support Group

Actually I think what they are talking about is another source of vertigo called BPPV or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benig...

It is also called "upper shelf vertigo" because often it comes on when you tip your head back, for example to look at an upper shelf or the ceiling. That is the difference between BPPV and Meniere's - BPPV is influenced by the ways your head is positioned. Meniere's is not.

BPPV can sometimes be cured by a series of maneuvers designed to get the crystals or "ear rocks" to go back to where they belong. This does not help if you have Meniere's.

Thank you Catrice for the people-speak response. I'm new to Meniere's and your comment was REALLY helpful. : )

I was never dizzy in my life until Aug. 28 when I was in my recliner (I have CFIDS) and started to get really disoriented and when I tried to stand up,

Down I went. Dizzy, nausea, pulsion, the works. Out of nowhere.

I have tried The Epley Maneuver, sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. I think your comment explains why.

Could it be said that even with Meniere's, the rocks can still loosen? I would think it wouldn't be impossible to have both problems?

Since I turned 50 this year I'm finding a lot of things are beginning to not work 'according to the manual'. LOL (but with a grimace).

I would like to add @findingjoy, that our chiropractor will no longer adjust my neck since my diagnosis of Meniere's. I guess the force used to align the cervical spine can possibly trigger a Meniere's attack. A slight raising of blood pressure or something. He's even on the fence about my upper back, which is a whole set of other problems due to a job with repetitive motion.

I started having ringing in my left ear early this year, and then slowly the feeling like something was packed in my ear. And I've had tingling in the left side of my face ever since 4 days after a too vigorous dental cleaning July 2007. It goes from my ear to my lower jaw, almost along the bone. All the docs I see for my other ailments think it's very strange.

Thanks for the post and dialogue.

Hi, I have had bi-lateral Meniere's Disease since 1988. I also have had numerous episodes of BPPV [ongoing problem]. The Epley Manouver usually 'cures' the BPPV because it puts the crystals back where they belong. Unfortunately at this time, there is NO CURE for Meniere's. It is not a life threatening disease, therefore not much is being done to determine its cause or potential cures. Your medically trained family should really know the difference. But, it's best if you inform yourself about your disease so you can refute the 'cures' your friends and family will tell you about. Google "Meniere's Disease" and numerous sites will come up advising you all about the disease, at least as much as they know. Keep your chin up [not literally, it could trigger an attack], we all have good and bad days with this disease, hopefully more good than bad. Jacke P. Past President, BC Balance And Dizziness Disorders Society. BADD! Check out our website at BalanceAndDizziness.org

Definitely you can have both BPPV and Meniere's. I have had Meniere's since 2001. For awhile since then I also had vertigo that came on when I looked up (I was painting my ceiling, that's how I knew!). But the BPPV has seemed to go away, although I still have Meniere's (it is under control now, thank goodness!).

Hi Catrice, what are you taking to control your Meniere's? I have been on Serc for several years, but it is very hard on the stomach and I still get pretty intense attacks. I would REALLY like to be able to control it a little more and would appreciate any advice. Thanks, Jacke

I take dyazide. When I first was diagnosed with Meniere's I had vertigo attacks every few months, so I didn't take any meds. But then after a couple of years, it suddenly got worse to where I had several serious vertigo bouts each week and was almost always unsteady. Within 2 weeks of starting daily dyazide, I stopped having the major attacks (I occasionally will feel a spin for a few seconds but that's all) and I have been on it now for at least 4 years, no side effects. I am not sure it works for everyone but it works very well for me.