Spaced Out, Unreal and Tinnitus 24/7 - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

kingsta123 · 05-18-2003, 07:43 PM

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.

hbep · 05-19-2003, 04:45 AM

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?

kingsta123 · 05-19-2003, 06:26 AM

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

scant5 · 05-19-2003, 09:37 AM

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

kingsta123 · 05-19-2003, 12:24 PM

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.