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.

536 Members
2,120 Posts
0 Online
Brain & Nervous System
/ Meniere's Disease Support Group

Terrified symptoms returning after labyrinthectomy

danaleaym
danaleaym

I'm kinda freaking out today. I'll try and make my story short. Diagnosed with MD in 2003. In 2014/2015 things were pretty rough. I felt like crap most days. I was lucky enough that I could still work and go about a semi normal life but it was rough and I wasn't really myself or enjoying life. I had semi often vertigo attacks ranging from a few a month to sometimes going a couple months without. It was the daily lightheaded, just not feeling right that was the main struggle during those years. I decided to have a labyrinthectomy in June 2015. I figured that would fix everyting (except my hearing of course) After that life was great. I felt great, I felt like myself again. Until recently.....I've been feeling a little off again. I've been trying to convince myself that it's not vertigo or any meniere's symtoms. I have not had a bad vertigo attack but feel...off for lack of a better term, not really sure how to describe it but maybe some of you know what I'm talking about, my vision feels almost blury or like I can't focus, I feel a little light headed or maybe just slightly dizzy etc. Like I said I've been trying to convince myself that it's not meniere's but maybe just got a bug, however I've been feeling this way on and off for weeks and it seems to be getting worse. I had some alcohol a few days ago and that was always something that would trigger vertigo a few days later for me, it's been worse since I drank. 



So if I am feeling symtoms of meniere's again it could mean 1 of 2 things. Either my labyrinthectomy failed (I believe there was a 2% chance or so) OR I've gone bilateral which I think would be worse since I could lose hearing in my good ear (TERRIFYING!!!) 



To top it all off I HAD an appointment for a follow up after my surgery scheduled for next week but I had to cancel since I just got a new job and wont have health insurance for about 2 more months! BAD TIMING!!! I'm thinking I could sign up for obamacare temporarily? but I have no idea where to begin there plus my doc might not be able to get me in for a while. 



I'm trying to convince myself that I'm being paranoid which I will admit that I do tend to be paranoid or even a bit hypocondraic sometimes. This of course is my greatest fear in life that the surgery didn't work or worse that I'm now bilateral. 



I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking for here just needed to put this out there to people who can relate. Maybe someone has advice? 

georgiapeachy
georgiapeachy
I am nearly 4 years post-labyrinthectomy and I have a lot of the same symptoms you describe. I am off balance a lot, blurry vision, have plenty of tinnitus and feel pretty wonky in the head most of the time. I am 71 y/0 now and I know I did not get good compensation in my "good" ear following the labyrinthectomy. That could be due to my age at the time of surgery (67). I walk with a cane outdoors or when I go away from home anywhere. It doesn't take much of a "surprise" underfoot to throw me off balance, so better safe than sorry. I do not want to fall. It doesn't sound like you are going bilateral, but only a good ENT or Neurotologist could make that determination. When your insurance is in effect you should definitely have an examination. I have noticed that when the barometric pressure falls, my symptoms are much worse. Air pressure, pollen season, head colds, fatigue, stress, some medications etc. can all impact balance. So, try not to jump to conclusions too quickly about going bilateral. Watch the barometric pressure when the symptoms are worse and see if there is a connection. I know there is for me. All the best to you as you solve this perplexing puzzle.