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.
Woke up today with alot of pressure in my ears, They have been hurting for a couple of days now. The dizziness was just to much had to call into work. Do any of you ever have to do this? I feel so helpless on days I get like this. And if yu do, is there anything you all do to take the fullness away?
The fullness is part of having MD and you can perhaps get some relief with surgery to install a shunt to drain off excess build up of fluid but having surgery is probably something that you don't want to do.
One thing that I tried that worked for me is called Vinpocetine. It's an extract from the Periwinkle plant and works like Serc which ENTs ususally perscribe for MD patients.
It's cheaper and worked for me. It dilates the tiny blood vessels in the ear to provide better blood flow and helps to combat the vertigo. There is one side effect that I found and have read about and that Vinpoceitine does/can lower your blood platelet count. Once taking this you should have your blood checked at least twice a year to monitor the platelet count. That's what I do.
I hope that this info might give you some food for thought and you do what you need to do to feel better.
M
Unfortunately there is no known cure for MD, only a few things that can give some or tempory relief as you know having had this for so many years.
good luck hun.