Hi, I've been diagnosed with MD for over two years. I concluded my search for answers with a trip to Mayo's where I received my final diagnosis. I had a year if many severe episodes...room spinning, nausea, vomiting etc. I changed a lot of things. Probiotics, low salt diet, eliminated all soda and aspartame. I lost 50 pounds."a good thing. Then my second year...no symptoms except permanent hearing loss remained in left ear. I was thrilled. But, ...... you knew a but was coming........now I have moments of dizziness and slight nausea usually lasting 10 seconds or less. They are scary because the anticipation that a major episode might start. I have as many as ten a day but often two or three. I take Valium if I think they happen in bunches but that's it. Does this sound familiar to anyone here. And what do you for it? I need suggestions , please. I've never posted or been a member on any boards so please help a Newbie!!!! Thanks
You can try antivirals, many of us have success with it. Check the database on info for it. Since you are not having rotational vertigo atm you can also look into MAV (migraine associated vertigo) symptoms are very similar to Meniere's and it is common not to have headaches with MAV. There is a good post of info in our database here as well. the 10 second dizzy spells... did you start a new medication? is it positional? Is your blood sugar and blood pressure okay? Have you been checked for an ear or sinus infection?
I would try the antivirals too. Too many outstanding successes here to ignore that path. Many doctors will tell you there is nor proof they work and refuse but many other doctors are willing to prescribe them if you want to try them because they are generally well toleratd drugs. Do your homework before you ask your dr complete with dosage recommendations. Antivirals are prescribed in many dosage for varying lengths of time so the dr wont automatically know what dose to use. For menieres it typically takes a pretty heft dose for several months to get results. It doesnt work fo everyone but it is worth a try. Good luck.
The first two posts are excellent recommendations. Perhaps ruling out a direct Meniere's cause (sinus infection, etc.) would be your first move. Also, I experienced a concussion skiing a few years ago that resulted in BPPV. That led to dizziness several times a day depending on the position of my head. A Physical Therapist performed the Epley maneuver on me and it was gone immediately. Of course the Meniere's was unrelated to that, or at least not directly related. During the 25 years I've been wrestling with this disease it seems to go through various stages with various symptoms but I'm not so sure it is really that random. If you have classic Meniere's (Fullness, Tinnitis, hearing loss, Vertigo) then the evidence is mounting that it is a herpes virus in your ear. I'm new to the anti-viral treatment and hoping that it works. One thing that I know will help is this website. So you are off to a good start finding this place.
I say get a Doctor that will follow Dr Gaceks Protocol. He prescribes valacyclovir which is doing wonders for me this week. Five weeks Before takng the valacyclovir my ear was aurally full, loud crazy tinnitus but no vertigo/dizziness. When I started taking the valacyclovir there were a few days on this medicine that I was having Vertigo/Dizziness practically every day, But, my ear was clearing. I hate the vertigo/dizziness and I hate the aural fullness. I couldn't decide which I hated worse. So, I posed a "post" What's Worse? The good news is I haven't had vertigo/dizziness for four days now and my aural fullness is practically gone. Still have a little tinnitus.
Santa, terrific news and I wish you continued health. Did you take any steps to combat the dizziness presumably brought on by the valyclovir? I've been on acyclovir for two weeks now and I had a stretch from Sunday to Tuesday this week of dizziness - not vertigo or disequillibrium but just unsteady seasickness. Today is a good day. I did concentrate on drinking a lot of water the past few days so I'm wondering if that is helping. Also, did you discontinue other treatements. I'm still on the full JOH regime and I'm wondering if that is too much for my system. I did discontinue the water pill. Thanks for any advice on this. I'm renting an RV for the Penn State football game this weekend and since I've never driven one before I'm concerned about the AV-generated dizziness.
Teesdale - It sounds like a bad combination, the possibility of dizziness and driving, let alone driving an RV when you have never driven one before. It's not like driving a car. My husband and I crossed the U.S. with an RV back in the '80's, but he had been a truck driver for years before that, and a darn good one. He pulled us out of more than one difficulty on the road, which for an inexperienced driver might have been catastrophic. I hope you will seriously reconsider your plan.
Marion, thanks for your advice/concern. I don't think I can cancel this late in the game - RV, RV parking, tickets all paid for far in advance. I've driven some 20' trucks in the past so I feel confident that I can handle the RV as long as I'm symptom free. When I made the plans I had other people coming but they have since backed out and now its only me and my wife. She has never driven anything like that so that is not an option. This is the difficulty isn't it? We always have to be concerned with plans since MM is hiding in wait but I have been fortunate that it has not disrupted a lot of major events. It may be mind over matter since it seems a little too coincidental that MM has not impacted more events in my life. But now in taking the AVs for the past two weeks the dizziness seems pretty consistent. For instance, today was a perfectly fine day but about 5 minutes ago I started to get dizzy. I wonder if I can skip my evening dose and morning dose tomorrow and improve my chances of not getting dizzy? I obviously don't want to stop the AVs all together and have to start over again. Any one have any ideas?
are you sure its the antiviral causing you dizzy spells? also dizziness can be a side effect of av's. I don't know if your supposed to stop them or not if it is a side effect you are experiencing.
Reported on other posts, after the 3rd day on valacyclovir, I developed head positional spins that I could interrupt by focus and placement. This all went way after 3 days and now better than ever regarding MM symptoms. I notice I drink about 20 oz's more water a day now..on top of my 50 oz's and I think my body is telling me to do this. Hope that helps.
I have suffered from me for almost 6 years now. Diagnosed by 3 different doctors. My recommendation keep a calendar. Highlight your bad days, and review with your doctor. I was finally approved for the meniett device. I had my ventilation tube put in my left ear drum weds and have since used my device. 3 days post op. Incredible difference. Ask about this procedure. It's non invasive and works wonders. Best of luck!