Meneire's Syndrome - newbie here

[CynthiaC]

Diane - The best thing you can do is go to the ear and nose specialist and have tests run to find out exactly what is going on. There are so many things it could be.

There isn't much they can do for Meneire's but don't let it get the best of you. Controlling the dizziness is the first thing. Meclizine or antivert is what I take, I have no other side effects with it, other than it makes me tired but it does stop the dizziness.

The dizziness is what always built up to my vertigo attacks. Once I got that pretty much under control, the rest got a lot easier to deal with. You have to take care of yourself. Eat right, exercise, deal with stress. Stress is a killer with Meniere's, in fact I think to a certain degree, stress is a huge factor in Meniere's syndrome. Last thing is to really curtail your use of salt if you haven't already.

It is important to try and have a positive outlook on this. It is not going to kill you and you want to have the best quality of life you possibly can.

I would be happy to chat with you here. Good luck to you.

[rcristal]

I was diagnosed with Menieres 4-5 months ago. Since then the neurologist gave me a blood test which seems to confirm that I have a nasty auotimmune disease attacking the vestibular nerve in my ear. Now they say that, basically, the blood test may or may not be accurate and that it does not matter whether this is Menieres or an autoimmune disorder.

I took heavy doses of Prednisone for 25 days which was a disaster. I am now off the stuff. In three weeks I start Methotexate (?), a chemo to treat the autoimmune problem. I have a hearing aid in my right ear and must use small doses of Xanax for the dizziness. They are hoping the Chemo will help where the Prednisone tended not to.

Please try to relax. I am 56, have 5 wonderful kids, a wonderful life and am a coach. It is difficult to be involved in athletics and be dealing with this type of problem. But, life goes on. And; I assume our brains will adapt.

Good luck

[Diane720]

I will try to hang in there....and it gives me hope, reading how people still manage to have a life. I took a meclizine earlier (12.5mg) because my dizziness was so out of control...I started crying to my husband...and he told me "just take it...what is the worst that will happen...it might help?" (I have an obsession about med side affects...that's why i haven't been taking it). Well I guess I saw that he was right and just took it. Guess what? I'm still here...haven't kicked the bucket...and no side affects as of yet. What the heck is wrong with me that I don't just take a pill that is made for what I'm suffering with??? I think I need help getting help....grrrrrrrrr.

Thanks a bunch....as always, turning toward these posts gets me back on a positive road.

Diane

[cupoftea]

Hi everyone! Hang in there. Always keep your antivert handy. I also take half a pill if i feel a little bit dizzy. Just remember to watch the salt and caffeine.
It is possible to learn to deal with meniere's. It is natural to be depressed and worried when the dx of meniere's happens.
I never have liked dyazide. Even stopped taking it a couple of times and sure enough the spinning starts. After my last vertigo attack last month I started taking it. Seems to be working.
I also let my kids and husband where I keep the antivert. I put a large X on the cap with a sharpie so it's hard to miss.
It is really good this board is here.
Take Care

[duttin]

I seen an ENT yesterday,they done a hearing test,which didn't go good.hearing loss bilateral.I was sent there by neuro because he suspected meneire's.I was taking meclizine(antivert) he told me not to take it.I do not have any vertigo or dizziness,however I am off balanced.My MRI came back normal.Are these symptoms normal for meneire's.I'm scheduled for a balance test next week.