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.
Want to share with everyone the following: I have a friend diagnosed with Meniere's about 5 years ago. She had jaw and teeth issues. She had her teeth fixed and her jaw work done 3 years ago, and she has been symptom-free since except for one episode. Some might say that a diagnosis of Meniere's was not an accurate one. However, whether it was accurate or not, she had the same symptoms we all share of tinnitus and vertigo. And she has seen a huge improvement now. So if anyone out there has teeth/jaw issues, it could at least be worth checking into. I personally had a root canal about 9 years ago, before my symptoms started. Afterwards, it never felt right. I kept telling the Endodontist and dentists about it, but they all blew me off by saying I couldn't feel anything there because the nerve was gone. Well, fast forward to the present. I got to thinking about my friend's experience, and decided to find someone who would take me seriously about my tooth. I was fortunate to find an endodontist who said there could be a low level infection in that tooth all this time. The x-ray showed a possible spot at the tip of one of the roots. So two weeks ago I had an apico, where he went in and cleaned out the area around that root (it was a molar, so it had multiple roots). He went on to say that he did find a pocket of infection right up next to the sinus, where the root was reaching into the bone. I don't expect this to necessarily cure my MD, but even if it just lessens the symptoms that will be a worthwhile improvement. I won't really know until spring, because my symptoms don't pick up until things start blooming. My MD is very allergy sensitive. The endodontist also referred me to a maxillofacial doctor, saying I may possibly have some misalignment in the jaw. (Think TMJ stuff) When I researched TMJ, it noted tinnitus and dizziness as possible symptoms. Both of these are on the same side as my affected ear. I will keep you posted on any results, or lack of, that I see. Also, if anyone else has a related story, I would love to hear about it.
I am not sure where you are located from? Do you have good healthcare there, availability to doctors and hospital? I suggest you get a complete blood work and testing done. Infections in the teeth can lead to conditions like meningitis or other major life threating conditions. Keep in mind that an infection is often the death of tissue, when this is close to the brain it can spread. Get more advanced medical treatment, at least see an oral surgeon and get a defined diagnosis and treatment. MD is a classification of a condition and many other conditions resemble it too.
God bless!
Rich
God bless!
Rich
When I first began having problems, my symptoms all seemed to be neck related. However a dentist friend told me it was TMJ. I went through a VERY expensive treatment with him and wore splints on both upper and lower teeth to reposition my jaw. It was horrible. I could barely open my mouth, and everything got much worse, including constant headaches that I hadn't had before treatment. After giving it a fair try, I had to stop. He referred me to a physical therapist, she worked through the neck issues that had sent me to the dentist in the first place, and I improved. I wasn't having any jaw joint pain before I started his treatment, so I question his diagnosis of TMJ. (It seemed during that time that every patient who went to him came out with a diagnosis of TMJ.) Recently I mentioned his diagnosis to an orthodontist and told her my jaw has always gotten a little off and needs to pop. She said all our joints can get off from time to time, like when your knee needs to pop, but that doesn't mean it's actually a problem. In considering TMJ, she was more concerned whether pain was involved in the joint or a referred area.
I still have neck problems, and there's no doubt in my case that they either cause or exacerbate my tinnitus, vertigo, and imbalance. It seems so many things contribute to my symptoms, I'm not sure I can separate them. Neither will my doctor give me a definite diagnosis of Meniere's. "Until proven otherwise," he says. It's been trial and error with me -- and lots of coping.
Hope you all find your triggers and get some relief.