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.
Hi all. I just found this forum and thought I'd post, and maybe get a few answers that I haven't been able to find from my docs. My problems began in February, sitting in the recliner enjoying the quiet of my daughter and 8 month pregnant wife being asleep. All of a sudden I felt like someone smacked the crap outta me. Insane vertigo, felling like I was about to pass out, heart palpatations, and pain in my left arm. I knew I was having a heart attack. After a trip to the ER and all negative tests, I was sent home with Meclizine and antibiotics for an "ear infection". Now, 10 months later, I seem to have symptoms almost every day. Not as severe as the first, but some are still pretty awful. I've had my heart completely ruled out. My ENT said my tests were pretty normal, but he thinks that just means the Meniers is just starting. I guess my main question is, has anyone had any non typical symptoms? I have pain in my left arm and numbness in my left hand, mainly my middle fingers. I've had a nerve conduction test done on my left arm and an MRI of my neck, both showing no problems. Other than that, I have basically the typical symptoms, suffering from dizziness, tinnitus, and fullness in my ear as I type. Any advice will be very much appreciated!
I've read on numerous sites that heart palpatations can be a symptom of Meniere's. Other sites say its because the Meniere's symptoms can cause high anxiety and panic attacks, thus causing the "fluttering" feeling you heart makes. The arm thing I'm at a loss for. Like I said earlier, it seems worse when I'm really fighting the vertigo making me think they are related, but theres nothing stating that arm pain and numbness are symptoms of Meniere's. I'll try to keep everyone updated on what I find out, but my neurologist app. isn't until mid January. In the meantime, I'm TRYING to do a complete lifestyle change, (eating healther, no smoking, no caffiene, ect.) I hope everyone has a Merry and Meniere's symptom free Christmas!
Wow, you have a lot of advice heading your way. Aren't these people great?
I am really curious about your pain because you described pretty well what I felt years ago. It started with the arm, tingling fingers and radiated up my neck, down the back of skull and then between the shoulder blades.... just like you described. I never learned anything about it and that was several years before my dizziness and vertigo began. I still get the shooting pains in my head, but not my neck, arm, or back anymore. I'd really appreciate any further information you find. I have been doing yoga for my spine for 4+ years now. It has also helped with my balance. You might try that. There are also people on this sight who have done specialized chiropractic care. You might want to read about that too. Good luck with your appointment and don't get frustrated with the life style changes. Have a blessed Christmas.
NewtoMD2 has responded with great information about the two kinds of doctors, often times a Neurologist is working with an ENT to help rule out other possable problems that resemble Meniere's the top one being Multiple Sclorsis. If you are found not to have that, then it increases the odds that it is Meniere's. You also should get some good feed back from your neurologist on nerve damage issues. On the other hand I had to get with a neurotologist when I had brain surgery for a tumor in my other ear, this was at Vanderbilt and both ENT and neurotologist were in the same department.
God Bless!
Rich
Best wishes to you!!!