Hi guys,

I just joined this site a few days ago. I'm a 24 year old female, 5'4", 110 lbs... for as long as I can remember I've always had drainage or fluid in my ears and drainage in my throat. It would always get worse when I would go jogging outside. It was more of an annoyance than anything and so when I did finally go to my family doctor he gave me some Allegra for allergies to see if that would help. It didn't really help but I didn't both going back to see him because it didn't really give me any other problems. This was 2 years ago.

In the last 2 months I've all of a sudden had many vertigo/dizziness spells that last anywhere from 10-15 seconds to 10-15 minutes. This past weekend I had a major vertigo spell that lasted about 12 hours. I've also had sore throats, headaches, and fatigue. I finally broke down and went to my doctor a few weeks ago. He took some blood tests and the only problem he could see was my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was slightly elevated and gave me Synthroid 50 mcg to take to see if that might be the source of the problem. I took that for 2 days when I had my Vertigo attack. I saw another doctor last night and he told me the vertigo and Synthroid are not related. He suggested I might be stressed or even depressed! That wasn't what I wanted to hear lol.

I called my family doctor back today and I got referred to an ENT doctor to look into my dizziness and Vertigo. I was wondering if anyone else out there has ever had these dizziness/Vertigo spells the way I have and if your doctor also looked into your thyroid levels? I'm afraid my ENT doctor will treat me without knowing what the real problem is just like my family doctor did. It's scary to think they have no idea what is wrong with me.

The last thing I wanted to say was that I also noticed this weekend when I had my vertigo attack I did NOT have fluid in my ear. Now it's Monday and the fluid/popping/cracking in my ear is back and I feel better.

Okay I'm done with my novel. If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated! I would love to hear others stories and any insight you may have. Thanks so much! :)

Kecia

Hi,

Your symptoms sound just like mine 10 years ago, when I was told I had menieres syndrome. The dizziness and vertigo--a nightmare. I don't think people who haven't fully experienced it know how horrible the experience can be....

When I first started having problems (when I was 18), I would get episodes of dizziness and then the symptoms would totally disappear. But then starting about 8 years ago, some of the symptoms (roaring in the ear, hearing loss, balance problems) wouldn't go away and I still have them now.

I have seen about 5-6 doctors about this, including one of the best ENT docs in the country. This man pretty much told me there was nothing he could do. BUT he did say this problem tends to get better after about 3 years, which is exactly what I have found. After about 3 years, the vertigo and dizziness pretty much disappeared. Now I only experience those symptoms 1-2 times per year.

Are you taking anything to help with the vertigo? I buy generic meclizine (about $10 for 100 tabs) and take that whenever I feel dizziness come on.

Also, for me, I have found that the symptoms get worse with pressure changes (i.e. diving into water) and during the equinoxes (b/c of barametric pressure changes?).

I am not sure if this helps and I am sorry I don't have more concrete info, but I just wanted to share my experiences!

Hi Katyank,

Thanks for replying! I haven't had another vertigo episode for about 2 and 1/2 weeks now. Two ENT doctors both think that I simply have BPPV and that my symptoms will go away with time. They completed an Epley Manuever on Monday and a hearing test that said I have excellent hearing. Because of the hearing exam they ruled out Meniere's disesase but the only thing weird with my case is that the two bad dizziness/vertigo attacks I have had have both been the first day I start my placebo pill (Sunday) for my birth control or in other words, a couple of days before I start my period. I guess that is a symptom of Meniere's disease so I'm supposed to follow up with one of the ENT doctors in January to see how I feel.

I had an appointment with my gyno and she wants me to see if I don't have another vertigo attack on that same Sunday again... If I do then she thinks I may be dehydrated because my BC acts as a diuretic and the deydration is making the BPPV worse.

Good luck with your case! If I do find out down the road I have Meniere's disease I will surely let you know. I'm crossing my fingers this just all goes away, I miss those normal days!

Hi,
Not sure if I'm having similar problems or not, but if anybody can help, I'd be grateful.

I have a popping noise that occurs in my ear and causes the world to spin for about 5 - 10 seconds. When it 1st started 3 months ago it was a big bang, and it knocked me over too. Now it de-stabilizes me horribly, but I can go on with things slowly again.

The popping in the ear can be brought on by watching "busy" scenes, like cars on a road, anxiety in some situaions or just sitting still. It's a horrible feeling though, and I want to get my life back to normal.

I've seen a specialist who put me on SERC Betahistine and says it'll go away in a few months. All the other time, I DON'T feel dizzy, but this has really knocked my confidence.

Please let me know if you can help.

Thanks, John