Alcohol doesn't seem to aggravate my symptoms, but I don't want to do anything that might make me feel even in the remotest way dizzy, so I use extreme moderation. Those of you who have badly stuffed ears, have you explored the TMJ avenue? I think it aggravates my CH. I sometimes feel soreness in my jaw on the "bad" side. Massaging my jaw muscles, or my shoulder on the opposite side (which my dentist explained to me can affect the opposite jaw muscle) can often help me clear the ear when it is stubbornly stuffed.
alcohol consumption. Alcohol can directly and adversely affect the inner ear by changing the volume and composition of its fluid. http://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorders/treatment/vestibular-diet
Holly, when my ear isn't full, I have no hearing loss. But this didn't get rid of the tinnitus. I have that all the time, a very high pitched constant tone.
The few times my ear went clear it seemed like my hearing was great. Tinnitus still doing it's whistling. I'm noticing more tinnitus in my right ear lately. YIKES! It's been coming and going over the last month. Mostly it's not ringing.
Coming and going as opposed to constantly present was the first sign that antivirals were working for me. Its all gone all the time now.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and information. I am happy to report this morning that some or most of the fullness is gone, hearing a bit improved, tinnitus not as loud, ear still itching, and some increased dizziness but not bad. I did have one extra drink last night celebrating the SF Giants win and maybe that's what improved things! Ha! I am seeing a physical therapist for TMJ and the AO Chiro said TMJ will definitely do a number on the ear. Makes sense given the proximity. I think it also brings on headaches. Usually I have sore temples and jaw waking in the AM. The stuff the PT is having me do seems to be helping. It is not sore today ;D
I am glad you are feeling a little better, Hollyflo. But BOOO to the Giants! (Die hard Cardinals fan here)
Oh Boy. Only 6 hours after my good news report, I took a nosedive. I started getting that fullness again with malaise, nausea and ended up with a migraine that was a show stopper. Felt like the spins could come on so I took a low dose Xanax and turned on Netflix and got in bed. Today I just feel depressed, discouraged, and scared. It seems like the fullness is down again but my hearing is almost gone in the bad ear and all the racket is still on. Day 15 on the Acyclovir and wondering when I should request a change to valacyclovir. How does one ever know???? :'(
No vertigo. Headaches all low grade except yesterday and all the classic Meniere's symptoms all the time. Vicki you have written this to me before and when I asked on what basis you are suggeting this, no reply. I find this stressful since it is confusing to me and I don't know what to do with the information anyways. :-\ Does that mean the AV's and JOH's regimen are a waste of time then? What could I be doing differently to address it if it is true? The audiology tests all show up hearing loss in the appropriate ranges thus the diagnosis. I am not meaning to sound confrontative but looking for more clarity about what you keep suggesting. I've read the links to MAV and still don't reach the conclusion strong enough to eliminate Meniere's and its approaches to dealing with it. Needing more support not more confusion here.
I thought I sent you the links or pointed you to forums databse but they are in our database and old database http://menieres.org/talk/index.php?topic=32.0
classic MM symptoms usually involve vertigo attacks, when vertigo is not occurring and migraines are involved, but have MM like symptoms it can be MAV. I am not and never have said you do not have MM Im just making a suggestion for you to look into MAV.
Sorry Holly, hope cometh and hope goeth. I was on acyclovir for ten weeks. In the beginning I got relief from fullness, but only for a few days here and there. Been full for about 5 weeks now. I just started the valacyclovir a few days ago. Nothing to report so far.
@ Vicki, I missed that thought it was a change in course. Thanks. @ Santa, Keep me posted. Hope the new AV's do the trick!
I contacted Dr Gacek about how to know when to change from on AV to another. His advice to me was if the one I am on does not produce any significant symptom relief after the first 3 weeks, to change then. I have been asking this of the forum and did not get an answer…or I did not GET the answer…and wanted anyone else to be the beneficiary of this input who might be asking the same question. Next Wednesday is my last high dose day so looks likley that I will be lobbying my MD for a change. But maybe a miracle will show up
Uh-Oh, scary thing happening. My left ear seems to be clearing. I can actually hear my fingers rubbing together. The high pitch is still singing it's head off, but I am hearing better. The reason it is scary ---- the last few times my ear went clear I had vertigo almost every day. I can't afford vertigo today. I have a big GIG tonight.