I have had severe dizzy/vertigo for about 2 years now - constant from Dec 06 to November 07 and other times were periodic. Room spins and feel like I'm going to fall over or faint. Happens when I get up, change positions, move my head - actually there is not a situation that doesn't cause the spins.

Went to ENT - he did all the tests for dizzy spells. Blew the air in the ear, watched the light move on the wall, layed back quickly etc (can't remember if this was the ENG or EEG-had so many tests, they are starting to blur together). He basically found no cause in my ears to be related to the dizzy spells - at the time I had the tests, I was only have the spells periodically. He said it was a neurological problem and the Neurologist says its related to my ears. I have been saying I'm loosing my hearing for years now - but they can't seem to find any evidence of loss. However, the ENT did not compare the hearing test done in 2001 and 2006 - didn't realize he had seen me before and couldn't find my old file info. Those that know me know that my hearing is worse then years past - My ability to understand words or hear from a distance of more then 2 feet is very poor. I was born with congenital hearing loss of both ears - nerve damage, so I've been hearing impared my whole life and used to it. However, the loss is getting worse, and one day I will be completely deaf if this continues.

I begged my primary care giver to give me a referral to another ENT as the one I saw didn't really seem to care and certainly didn't want to pursue the cause of my dizzy spells. She instead gave me a prescription for Novobetahistine (cerc) which is used to treat Meneires disease. What an improvement. I can now drive and work part time. It doesn't get rid of the spells, just reduces the intensity of the episodes. I notice when I'm overtired, the intensity increases, so I have to watch my rest.

Haven't seen any threads on this - can anyone offer any insight please?

Hi....My brother was diagnosed with Meneires disease 3 months ago. He had all of the same symptoms as you. He also has constant ringing in his ears.

They did a hearing test on him and he has lost 20% hearing in his left ear.

They put him on a diuritic ( spelling ) water pill, prednisone, and a very strict low sodium diet.

He was off work for the first 2 months because he couldn't drive. The dizziness was too severe.

He has finished the prednisone and water pills and is just on the low sodium diet. This treatment has worked wonders. He is back at work and doing pretty good.

He still has the ringing in his ears and he will not regain the hearing loss, but the dizziness and off-balance sensations are gone.

Has your doctor suggested anything about the amount of sodium in your diet? They told my brother that this was the most important part for controlling Meneires.

I had never heard of this disease until my brother was diagnosed with it.

Good luck!

How long did it take before your medication started working. I think I have this disease and it has gone undiagnosed for well over a year!!

Thank you Vicki - no one has made any comments about sodium. Intersting though and I will decrease it even more then I have. Again thanks!