New kid on the block here -- hello, all...

Hi everyone. Well, at 66, I guess I am not so much a kid any longer.

I first noticed one day about 3 years ago that I had a roaring in my left ear; figured I must have gotten some water in there during a shower. The noise came and went over a period of months. I finally went to my doctor, thinking maybe I had a wax buildup or something, but was referred to an Otolaryngologist. I had an audiology exam and it was noted that I had a slight hearing loss. The Oto doc ordered a brain MRI to rule out some of the more dire diagnoses -- ultimately was told I had Meniere's. Over time, the episodes lasted longer and longer, with shorter intervals between them. Finally, in September 2017, it started once again and hasn't let up since. Subsequent audiology sessions have tracked worsening hearing in that left ear. I joke with my wife that I have a permanent heart monitor in my left ear; I can hear my heartbeat all the time when I am awake. To aid with sleeping, I have a white noise generator in our bedroom.

I felt fortunate in that I had never had an episode of vertigo. Then... wham! About six months ago, it hit me for the first time; about 45 minutes of scary hell. I almost called 911, thinking I might be having a stroke, but recalled that I had been advised it was likely I would eventually experience something like this. My wife and I embarked on a 15-day trip to Africa and I forgot about it (though, looking back, I am ever so thankful that I didn't get an episode while there, out in the wild -- wouldn't wanna stand out from the group and become lion bait!). I got a second attack in February, while driving, but had enough warning that something was coming, and the presence of mind to pull over into a safe area and ride it out.

Now, it's fully here -- five of the past six days, about 45 minutes of rotation, replete with involuntary eye movements. I was prescribed 2 mg of Diazepam, which, I think, helps a little to reduce the severity and duration of the attacks, but this run has been tough.

If anyone has any advice on how best to deal with the vertigo attacks, I am, ahem, all ears (well, one, anyway). I lead an active life; am retired but still do some part-time consulting work. Fortunately, I have the option of teleworking pretty much any time I want, but I do NOT want to have this cause me to be a shut-in. I admit that, in the past few days, I have contemplated just staying home, as I fear that the next one may occur when I am in a very vulnerable, out-in-the-open situation. I mentioned that we travel -- take one big trip a year, which I really love to do, and is one of the reasons I still work. I am now even fearing that those days may be over. Again, any advice and counsel that anyone here can offer -- bring it on!

Thank you in advance, and I hope that, down the road, maybe I can be of help to someone who asks for it.

 

Thanks, Rich!

Which supplements do you recommend? Until the vertigo started, I must confess I wasn't that invested in the process. I am now!

h.