Meniere's Disease Support Group

Meniere's disease is a balance disorder of the inner ear. The symptoms of Meniere's are variable; not all sufferers experience the same symptoms. However, "classic Meniere's" is considered to comprise the following four symptoms: Periodic episodes of rotary vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sensation of fullness or pressure in one or both ears.

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renee1979 11/15/2011

I do not no much about Meniere's so you that have may be able to help me out. I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder almost 2 years ago and ironically at about the same time i noticed a ringing in my left ear. It is pretty intense always present but sometimes worse than other times. I also get shorter beep sounds from time to time in both ears. I went to see a ENT Doc. who preformed a hearing test and said my hearing is fine and diagnosed Tinnitus. My hearing does seem fine. I have always had slight Vertigo and a sort of off balance feeling. But for the past 6 months i get severe dizziness especially the longer i have been walking around or just on my feet. It get's worse throughout the day and when i'm tired. If i sit or lay down for awhile it seems better but not gone. I have tried to pass it all of on my anxiety because it gets worse when my anxiety or panic is up. But i really think something more is going on. I have had CT scans and an MRI all normal. I do have new issues with sinus and allergies. Does this sound like Meniere's?

renee1979 11/15/2011

Hi sorry forgot to mention i feel lots of pressure and fullness and even slight pain in my ears very frequently.

deleted_user 11/16/2011

Just some questions:
how long does the dizziness last or vertigo last.
Do you see a change in your hearing during the vertigo?
You could have it but I would keep on talking with an ENT one that specializes in balance and ear problems.
Normally MRI and CTs are normal. My MRI is not but there is something else going on.
For me I start getting pressure/pain in my ears and ringing first and feel very nausea. I also notice my hearing decreases and start spinning out of control to the point that all I can do is lay down and be still. My balance is so off I have to hold on or can't get up. I have fallen several times. I tend to throw up too. My episodes last 12-24 hours and very exhausted and spacy and loopy the next day. I feel I have a meniere's hangover.
Have you had any blood test or ENG test or balance test done. You could also have BPPV too. But I would highly get it checked out.
I have already lost a great deal of hearing and looking into the cochlear implant
Best wishes

renee1979 11/16/2011

Hi to answer the dizziness seems to always almost always be present but the severity is what varies. It seems like the severe vertigo can last for hours . I notice worsening buzzing in my ear during the vertigo and i have noticed i am increasingly becoming more and more sensitive to loud sounds. Sometimes they can be unbearable. I have also noticed a change in my vision since all this began , especially when the dizziness is really bad i have blurred vision. Last night i went for a 2 mile walk ,the whole time i could not walk straight i felt myself swaying and by the end of the walk i felt i needed to hold on to something or someone or i would tip over. I also have pressure and a stuffy feeling in my head almost all the time. It is also really hard to look up, i will get rushes of dizziness and a pressure in my head. Thanks for taking the time to answer. I feel very frustrated and wish i knew what was wrong with me.

deleted_user 11/16/2011

I feel that you are desribing alot of symptoms that I would have! Looking up is a new one for me, but I have been noticing it with washing my hair! I get fullness in my left ear. I know everyone talks about attacks but for me I have some type of dizziness or off balance all the time! Very rarely I am feeling GREAT!!!!!! MRI CT they dont show anything. I saw an ent specialist in Philadelphia who though I might have something called Aied Auto Immune Inner ear disease. They wanted to put me on methotrexate, which I refused because there Is no proven science that it will help.. It sounds like you could have meniers.. The biggest problem is there is not enough Dr.s or science out there to poperly help us! I hope this helped in some small way..

deleted_user 11/16/2011

I know your frustration. I sometime have days that I have slight dizziness. Where are you from? I live 45 min north of Philly but go to hopkins and have been getting a lot of help from them. I too get the pain. I wonder if you have a combo of meniere and vestibular migraines. With migraines the episode drags and last longer. You can also see a neurologist. I do and an ENT. I would recommend having an ENG test done. Best wishes. I know it is frustrating and remember you are not alone.

deleted_user 11/16/2011

I just noticed that you lost your mom 2 years ago when this all started. I just lost my mom about 2 1/2 months ago. It is not easy and still grieving. Keep on pushing the doctors and anxiety and stress does not help the situation. Keep a log of what you are eating and of your episodes, even things that could be stressors. I know it is a lot but it helped my doctors and also myself identify triggers

renee1979 11/16/2011

Thanks so much i am going to get a referral to ENT doctor from my primary. Good luck to you both to. Vertigo can be very disabling i hope i can get some answers. ansjewel83 i live in Colorado. Very far from Philly. My husband is a huge Eagles fan though LOL. Hope you both have a great day.

renee1979 11/16/2011

Just saw you're last post i am so sorry about your'e Mom. Yes after losing her is when my Anxiety and Panic began. Also when i noticed the ear problems along with other health problems. I believe stress can have a big impact on our health. Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it.

deleted_user 11/16/2011

let us know how it goes. I am currently on a medical leave from work b/c of the menieres and my hearing is getting worse. Not easy working with 10 toddlers and having a hearing loss plus menieres. I am thinking I may have to look into a new job :(

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