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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/ Meniere's Disease Support Group

Meniere's and pregnancy

sleepyjean
sleepyjean
Just curious if anyone wants to discuss their experience with being pregnant with Meniere's. I know everyone has different symptoms, I'm just curious. My doctor doesn't really give me an answer when I ask. I have frequent dizziness and bad bouts of vertigo, so I am already throwing up a lot. It seems worse when I get my period (for a day or two before and the first couple days of it) so I'm concerned the hormonal changes in pregnancy will make it worse as well.

I'm not pregnant now, but my husband and I would like to start a family sometime soon. We had previously wanted 2-3 kids, but now it's more like let's maybe have one and see how that goes. I'm concerned I may just be dizzy and vomiting for nine months straight.

There are already many days I drive to work very dizzy (and I know I shouldn't but my doctor won't have me off work, we need the money, and public transportation is not an option for me) and spend half the day hiding in the bathroom throwing up, then come home to basically go to sleep because I'm exhausted. I worry I wouldn't be able to handle it while pregnant, I already throw up at work a lot and feeling fatigued. How could I possibly fit a child into this anyways? Just depresses me, we really want to start a family soon but this has thrown a wrench in our plans.
karenplus8
karenplus8
your symptoms could get better with pregnancy. You never know
deleted_user
deleted_user
I certainly can empathize. I currently have a 2 yr old and a soon-to-be 6 month old. My first pregnancy was brutal the last 3 months... Lots of attacks and vomiting spells related to the Meniere's. I was on bedrest the last month. My second pregnancy was great - it was almost like the Meniere's completely went away. :) My doc mentioned a lot of female patients with Meniere's report their ear issues & attacks stop during pregnancy. Unfortunately, most of my probs started back up around the 3rd or 4th month after birth - when my hormones were all kinda settling back into normalcy. That is what I am dealing with now. The good news is that I am able to take certain drugs to help (meclizine, Valium, etc) that I could/would never take while pregnant.
Having children is such an amazing experience. I am grateful everyday for my girls! Don't let this disease stop you from pregnancy. Feel free to contact me directly if you like... I wish I would have known someone with Meniere's to talk with when I was pregnant. Good luck.
klirones
klirones
I think I have more positive news. I have had menieres symptoms most of my life and have been diagnosed for a long time but the times I remember feeling the best was when I was taking birth control, when I was pregnant and I had remission following a uterine ablation(sorry guys) and again following a hysterectomy. My MD was really bad during my periods but it was misdiagnosed as PMDD. I wasn't crazy and emotional I was dizzy, disoriented and confused. It's kind of a good thing I didn't know . I thought the MD was just the daily lightheadedness and "rocking boat" feeling. If I had known what the attacks were I would have been scared. I had 2 babies and a back surgery for scoliosis in three years. I would not trade my kids for anything. You may not feel great but you may feel a little better. Make sure you know all the reasons for your nausea. It sounds like a lot to me. Maybe something else hiding in there.
Good luck, be brave
Kerry
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have a 15 month old and I'm expecting my second in December. I have felt my best with the Menieres when I was pregnant. Yes, I got nausea and vomiting while pregnant but it was different because there was no dizziness. Otherwise, I've had traditional pregnancy symptoms but nothing related to Menieres. After my first pregnancy, the symptoms came back about 5 months later. I feel like maybe those of us with Menieres can handle pregnancy better because we've already dealt with getting sick at inconvenient times. It's definitely a challenge to be a good mom when struggling with the vertigo and everything else. But I'm fortunate to have a supportive husband who picks up the slack on my bad days. I am very happy that I've chosen to have children despite the struggles of Menieres but it is a decision only you and your family can make.