Man, I thought i was LOSING it, finally i have found some people that know how i am feeling, about 2months ago I started to get this disoriented feeling every now and again, and sometimes especially when working where i could'nt see outside and under strong flourenscent lights, then one day BANG, spaced out feeling (feeling unreal, the world looks kinda fake) and i have floaters in front of my eyes, also the ringing, constant tinnitus, at first i thought i felt lightheaded but , now i know i feel spacey. My perception is out, and anxiety definately makes it worse. I have been to 1 ENT, he diagnosed me with meniere's but i have no vertigo, just tinnitus and spaced out. It started with mild headaches and I suffer from allergies and sinus infections every summer. If anyone else has had or is having similair feelings PLEASE email me and i will respond.

Hi there Kingsta,

Think it's a bit strange from your description that the ENT diagnosed you with menieres! Did he run hearing tests -have you lost any hearing?

I'm no doctor but in my opinion and from stuff I've read menieres is often misdiagnosed. To qualify for an 'atypical' menieres diagnosis you have to have at least 3 of the 4 symptoms. It doesn't sound like you do. In my opinion there are definitely other things that could explain your symptoms.

One of the things that can mimic some menieres symptoms is tempero mandibular joint disorder. I was diagnosed with this 8 months in to this ordeal. What were your headaches like before this started? In your temples? Sinuses? Any neck pain? Facial pain. Did any dental work precede this happening? Do you clench or grind your teeth? I had ear symptoms/spaced out feelings etc... My otologists intially thought of atypical menieres, but because I had no vertigo or hearing loss he ruled it out. I have hardly any jaw symptoms, all the problems are referred to my ears.

Are you being treated for your allergies/sinus problems, this could also be at the root of the problems.

Sorry I can't be of more help. On what basis did he make the menieres diagnosis, did he explain why he thought you had this?

He diagnosed me with Mnrs on the basis that my ear test showed i have tinnitus and also i think he mis-diagnosed my spaceyness has dizziness, coz at the time the best word i could come up with to describe how i was feeling was 'lightheaded' but my ears are ringing constantly and My jaw clicks, it has for about 6 months, also i had headaches on the top and long the back of my head and above my eyes, and i take stuff to help with the allergies but i've had them all my life, but never this. I am spaced out constantly it's driving me batty. Only hope there is a way out, i am going to see a Physciatrist on WED, they are MUCH cleverer than a normal doctor as they know alot more about how the brain and nerves function. Will let you know the outcome. I have been waiting 6 weeks for an appointment.

regards,
kingsley

hbep;
Sorry to butt in on your subject matter but I was wondering why you mentioned having any dental work done recently. I had a very bad tooth worked on about 2 months before all this started and a few people mentioned that this could have been the start of it all. You seem to have alot of usuful information and that's why I am questioning this. Also do you have TMJ
or was that just a misdiagnosis since you have no joint pain. I haven't read all of your posts so forgive me if I am making you repeat anything.

Scant5

Hey Scant5 do you also have spaceyness and tinnitus??
Mine came on quite slowly as i stated before I had mild headaches, then periodic dizziness and fullness in the ears and finally the spaced out feeling and constant tinnitus. Also before this started my Jaw began clicking and my neck would click and lock just for a second, anyway I went for X-rays, they were normal, I had a CT head scan, which showed no abnormalities, and my MD said the headaches were probably tension, then I went to an ENT and he Said its Meniere's, which is bull coz I have NO VERTIGO whatsoever. All I know is its driving nuts not knowing whats wrong, i just want a diagnosis.

HI Scant,

Yes, I have been diagnosed with TMJD with severe ears symptoms. Some people with TMJD get most of the symptoms in their ears - the pain/problems (full ears/tinnitus/dizziness/ear pain in my case hyperacusis) are referred away from the jaw to the ears. ENT's often don't think of this diagnosis, I saw an oral surgeon at a specialist dental hospital. I was spaced out/disconnected, dizzy for months, with full ears, tinnits, the otologist I saw just didn't know what to make of me. Full ears and tinnitus are indicative of menieres but I have no hearing loss or true vertigo. To get an atypical (not classic) menieres diagnosis you need to have one of those symptoms alongside the full ear (or ears) and tinnitus. Although you can experience both these things with tmjd alos. The symptoms of tmjd often mimic menieres. My jaw is tight and for a short period at 7 months in I experienced some jaw pain and heavyness in my jaw which went away again. I do have very tight shoulders and neck, but basically none of that is in any way severe enough to even bother me - 95% of the problem is in my ears. I do still worry about atypical menieres (can't seem to let that worry go) but I do definitely have tmjd and this can definitely cause the symptoms I've described.

Dental work can trigger tmjd - pressure on the jaw whilst having the work done, and clicking in the jaw neck pain aresigns. Many ENT's and regular dentists talk a lot of rubbish about TMJD - you need to see someone specialised who really understands the many ways it manifests to get a proper diagnosis. My otologist didn't even mention it. If anyone tells you your jaw would be in agony or you would have restricted opening of your mouth otherwise you don't have it is talking rubbish. The person I saw is a specialist at a top dental hospital - regular dentists and doctors are not required to study TMJD in any detail to qualify.

hbeb;
Thanks for the info. I truly have never had any indication of jaw problems, no clicking, tightness or pain. I had fullness in my right ear but that seemed to go away on its own, sometimes when I over do it at work I notice a very mild fullness. I have never really had any constant pain in my ear either. Once in a while just like a slight poking pain and that was not constant only once in a while. Today even with my cold I am having a pretty good day, I am always thankful for good days, they always give me hope that someday soon this will all go away. Thankyou for your information. All the best to you.

scant5

kingsta123:
I don't consider my symptoms as spacey rather a feeling of having a couple glasses of wine but your senses are aware. I have never had the classic vertigo. I experienced that at my eng test! I have never stumbled and am sure footed but the feeling is there inside my head. I seem to aggrivate the symptoms when I work to hard. I actually had 3 prettty good weeks and then I pushed myself and it set me back. It can be frustrating because everybodys symptoms seem to vary. One Dr. I saw classified it as desequilibrium. I know my symptoms could be a lot worse but it sure does a head number on you. I hope you have a quick recovery but sometimes it can take its time leaving.

all the best
scant5