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.
This is my first post since being diagnosed. I had my first attack July 2014. I was studying for the bar exam and ten days before the exam I woke up in the morning and could not lift my head without the entire room spinning. I was rushed to the hospital because I could not walk, my vision was impaired and the entire left side of my face had drooped. After treatment, they ruled out stroke and said I had vertigo. The hospital MRI testing showed a brain lesion that needed to be explored.
Five months of testing,for MS, Lyme Disease etc came up negative
I went to 2nd and 3rd opinions
My symptoms continued: vertigo, nausea, tremors, , tinnitus, chronic fatigue, vision changes, depression and a complete lifestyle change. The one thing nobody understood was the fogginess and fullness I had in my head.
Until I went to a send opinion- ENT certified in neurotology amd otolarynglogy who diagnosed me Menieres, Jan, 2015. I had hearing tests (my hearing is stable), VNG, VEMP, Posturography etc..
I started on diuretic's amd 50 mil of Topamax to prevent headaches That did not work. So I had a round of steroid injections in my left ear and he started me on Vestibular Therapy.
If you are not having attacks and need to train your brain because it had a maladaptive response and you want your balance back to normal I highly recommend therapy. It frustrating and takes a strong will to complete but it works.
But unfortunately, the injections only lasted about 2 1/2 months. I have since developed severe vestibular migraine headaches and had three severe attacks the past two months. My nuerologists has prescribed a higher dosage of Topamax to 200 mil a day (she said there is some research showing that migraines can be be a trigger to a Menieres attacks), plus when the migraine hits, my dizziness gets more severe, she also gave me Imitrex for the migraine.
My ENT suggested I start another round of steroid injections, So I had my fist shot this week.
My vertigo has NEVER gone away. I have had it non-stop for thirteen months, now I am having migraines. I stopped drinking alcohol last year (was not a heavy drinker in the first place), I maintain a low salt diet, no caffeine. My ENT wants to stay conservative to preserve my hearing but nothing is working so far to control the vertigo and tinnitus and I cannot function like this.
My life is at a stand still.
Has anyone had any success with these injections? My next step is Gentamiacin but that will damage my hearing.
Five months of testing,for MS, Lyme Disease etc came up negative
I went to 2nd and 3rd opinions
My symptoms continued: vertigo, nausea, tremors, , tinnitus, chronic fatigue, vision changes, depression and a complete lifestyle change. The one thing nobody understood was the fogginess and fullness I had in my head.
Until I went to a send opinion- ENT certified in neurotology amd otolarynglogy who diagnosed me Menieres, Jan, 2015. I had hearing tests (my hearing is stable), VNG, VEMP, Posturography etc..
I started on diuretic's amd 50 mil of Topamax to prevent headaches That did not work. So I had a round of steroid injections in my left ear and he started me on Vestibular Therapy.
If you are not having attacks and need to train your brain because it had a maladaptive response and you want your balance back to normal I highly recommend therapy. It frustrating and takes a strong will to complete but it works.
But unfortunately, the injections only lasted about 2 1/2 months. I have since developed severe vestibular migraine headaches and had three severe attacks the past two months. My nuerologists has prescribed a higher dosage of Topamax to 200 mil a day (she said there is some research showing that migraines can be be a trigger to a Menieres attacks), plus when the migraine hits, my dizziness gets more severe, she also gave me Imitrex for the migraine.
My ENT suggested I start another round of steroid injections, So I had my fist shot this week.
My vertigo has NEVER gone away. I have had it non-stop for thirteen months, now I am having migraines. I stopped drinking alcohol last year (was not a heavy drinker in the first place), I maintain a low salt diet, no caffeine. My ENT wants to stay conservative to preserve my hearing but nothing is working so far to control the vertigo and tinnitus and I cannot function like this.
My life is at a stand still.
Has anyone had any success with these injections? My next step is Gentamiacin but that will damage my hearing.
Sorry to hear of your situation...not unlike many of ours. I have had three gentamicin injections and haven't had a severe episode(vertigo and throwing up) for 3 months. If this doesn't hold it and I have anymore severe episodes, I will opt for a labrynthectomy or a vestibular nerve section whichever is recommended for me. You are very lucky to have the specialists available. I'd have to go to Los Angeles or San Francisco, both 3-4 hours drive....but worth it if need be. I already had some hearing loss in the bad ear, and I'd rather deal with the hearing loss if it comes to that than live with vertigo/vomiting for years. Two people I know of that had one of these surgeries and have been symptom free for over 15 years now. Read all the blogs/posts in this Meniere's group and you'll find you are not unlike most of us, but you will also gleen valuable information. You've probably already done alot of google on treating vertigo, Meniere's, etc. where the different options are presented. Good luck to you. Stay strong, and stay in touch with support groups.
Sue