Meniere's Disease?

meniero · 09-23-2006, 04:01 PM

Three weeks ago I was hit with a severe vertigo attack, I was spinning out of control, had no balance and was vomiting. My husband took me to the hospital where they told me I have Vertigo. I was sent to an ENT who basically told me I have a virus that needs to run it's course. He did a hearing test and other inner ear tests that were all normal (VNG and ABR). I was in bed for four days without being able to move my head or I would start spinning and feeling nauseous. After that, it did seem to get just slightly better everyday. Besides feeling slightly off balanced when I bent forward or looked down. After 2 1/2 weeks I thought the worst was over. Until Monday...I was driving and all of sudden I was spinning, not as violently as the previous time, I made it home, took a meclizine and was in bed for another 24 hours. My ENT saw me again and said he thinks I have Meniere's disease, but wanted to rule out a tumor, so sent me for an MRI, it was normal. Since then, he has told in about 30 seconds, that he will be treating me for Meniere's disease, and I need to start a low sodium diet ( I weigh 100 lbs.) while taking Diazide? My questions are: How is he sure that I have Meniere's disease, I don't think he has tested for any fluid in my ear? Is there a clear cut way to test for fluid in the ear? What are the side effects of taking a diuretic? I know it can throw off Potassium levels, so that concerns me. Plus, I have low blood pressure. If all my inner ear tests were normal, why does he still think I have Meniere's? I don't know, this is completely frustrating. I have two children, ages 7 and 5, they are hard to keep up with on a good day! Right now, I'm still in a constant state of off balance, I wake up in the middle of the night spinning from changing positions, I wake up in the morning to the whole room moving. I can't bend down or look up or move too fast! Is there anyone else out there with this?!! Please give your advice or thoughts or suggestions!! Thanks so much for listening!

Subs30 · 09-23-2006, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndl

Three weeks ago I was hit with a severe vertigo attack, I was spinning out of control, had no balance and was vomiting. My husband took me to the hospital where they told me I have Vertigo. I was sent to an ENT who basically told me I have a virus that needs to run it's course. He did a hearing test and other inner ear tests that were all normal (VNG and ABR). I was in bed for four days without being able to move my head or I would start spinning and feeling nauseous. After that, it did seem to get just slightly better everyday. Besides feeling slightly off balanced when I bent forward or looked down. After 2 1/2 weeks I thought the worst was over. Until Monday...I was driving and all of sudden I was spinning, not as violently as the previous time, I made it home, took a meclizine and was in bed for another 24 hours. My ENT saw me again and said he thinks I have Meniere's disease, but wanted to rule out a tumor, so sent me for an MRI, it was normal. Since then, he has told in about 30 seconds, that he will be treating me for Meniere's disease, and I need to start a low sodium diet ( I weigh 100 lbs.) while taking Diazide? My questions are: How is he sure that I have Meniere's disease, I don't think he has tested for any fluid in my ear? Is there a clear cut way to test for fluid in the ear? What are the side effects of taking a diuretic? I know it can throw off Potassium levels, so that concerns me. Plus, I have low blood pressure. If all my inner ear tests were normal, why does he still think I have Meniere's? I don't know, this is completely frustrating. I have two children, ages 7 and 5, they are hard to keep up with on a good day! Right now, I'm still in a constant state of off balance, I wake up in the middle of the night spinning from changing positions, I wake up in the morning to the whole room moving. I can't bend down or look up or move too fast! Is there anyone else out there with this?!! Please give your advice or thoughts or suggestions!! Thanks so much for listening!

Hi Ndl

Go to this web site---from the Information Archive(sticky)---first post on the board----and this web page---from Northwestern Univ:

[url]http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/menieres/menieres.html#diagnosis[/url]

Scroll down to:

..."How does the doctor know I have Meniere's disease ?"....

The Northwestern Univ Meniere's page was last up dated 9 Sep 06---with information in the following cat's:

"What is Meniere's Disease?
What Causes Meniere's Disease?
What Damage is Done by Meniere's Disease?
How Common is Meniere's Disease?
Is There a Cure?
How Does the Doctor Know I Have Meniere's Disease?
Medications for Meniere's Disease
How to Manage an Attack
How to Reduce the Symptoms
Surgery and Destructive Treatments of Meniere's Disease
How Might Meniere's Disease Affect my Life?
Hydrops Diet
How Does Diet Affect Dizziness?
Dietary Goals
Drug-diet Considerations
Where can I Get Additional Help in Modifying My Diet?
Other Resources
References"

Have to say---while possible I suppose---tends to be overdone by Doc's---from the Northwestern Univ Web site:

...."There have been several studies of the US population. In the Framingham study, (Framingham, Mass, USA) 1.48 % of the population claimed to have a history of Meniere’s disease (Moscicki et al, 1985). This large prevalence figure likely derives from a tendency of many physicians to lump all cases of recurrent vertigo into the category of Meniere's disease (Slater, 1988). Wladislavosky and associates, at the Mayo Clinic reported a prevalence in 1980 in the Rochester Minnesota population of 218.2 cases/100,000, and a incidence rate of new cases of 15.3/100,000/year. They also reported a diagnosis rate basically proportional to age up to the age of 60, with a decline thereafter. Bilaterality was found in 34% of their cohort. They commented that rates in Rochester MN appear less than those reported in England and Sweden."...

U will find a "hyper link" to that and other data on the Meniere's page---I posted above

adamw · 09-23-2006, 10:43 PM

If you can find a neurotologist in your area, I would strongly suggest seeing one before accepting this ENTs diagnosis or treatment.

Menieres Disease is not the only cause of recurrent vertigo, and it is certainly quite rare. It also requires hearing loss for diagnosis - some ENTs who have been dealing with vertigo before the American Academy of Otolaryngology changed the diagnostic criteria to require hearing loss will ignore this.

To put it in perspective, migrainous vertigo has a 2% incidence in the general population (mostly episodic vertigo, and some with chronic vertigo) and Menieres disease has an incidence of less than 0.2%.

duttin · 09-23-2006, 11:27 PM

ndl,

I would definatly see a neurologist.

my neuro is sending me to an ENT that specializes in meniere's disease.I have severe bilateral ringing in ears,diminished unbalanced hearing in both ears and a loss of balance.I have no vertigo.I am currently on meclozine 3 times a day.I just had a series of MRI's on brain and ears.I also have MS.With the symptoms above it could be from the MS but neuro wants a more conclusive diagnosis.

firechick · 09-24-2006, 10:04 AM

Hi there
Sorry you are suffering with this, my kids were the same ages when I came down with my inner ear disorder.
One thing you wrote that sent some lightbulbs going off was the rolling over in bed and spinning which is a very strong symptom of BPPV. There is lots of info on this in the very first thread on this board (sticky) which you can find articles on BPPV...your ENT may have tested you for this already, but if he hasn't he should do so. The website Subs gave you will also have info on this condition which is the most treatable of all inner ear conditions.
HOpe you find the help you need, this is a scary time and you will get better, hang in there and do your research.
FC