Hello Y'all! So I am new to this site and I have been browsing the posts and have enjoyed them. I recently was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease (within the last 6 months). While I was relieved, after 10 years of dealing with ear issues and hearing loss, I was also nervous and frustrated. I have 7 month old baby and sometimes i can't hear him cry at night plus I to give up my dream job as a dispatcher due to the hearing loss. Recently, I went to my specialist for a follow up from getting tubes put in my ears for the pressure. He has decided to refer me to a neurologist because he thinks I may have a growth pressing on the balance center of my brain (cerebellum) or a disconnection. I get terrible vertigo and tinnitus. I am hoping beyond hope that nothing is wrong, but at the same time part of me hopes they find something simple that can be removed easily and all my problems are solved. Thank you for listening to me vent and thank you for the support!
Definitely a big hug going out to you. If you have not already, I would believe the neurologist will have the different vestibular/ENG testing done which would help to rule out everything else but Meniere's. MRI will help rule out other things. I can tell you that after I was diagnosed and hit a rough patch of extreme vertigo attacks, I pushed for the MRI almost "hoping" that there was something there..cause that could most likely be fixed. (There wasn't but I was definitely in the same mindset.) Now while I do have significant hearing loss in one ear, I don't have a baby. However, I believe that I have read that there are different sensors/vibration pads that you could use to hook up to a monitor that would help to alert you. A hearing loss center or even a site like this for hearing disabilities might be a good resource to help you find something that can make you more comfortable. Stress is the worse thing. I finally broke down and got a hearing aid a little over a year ago and am so happy that I did. It helps me so very much. And although mine is an "entry level" model, some of them have big bells and whistles that can work with headphones (that potentially could get you to a point you could return to work)... Good luck.
Sending you a GREAT BIG HUG!! We so know what you are going through. I am glad your doc is recommending a further study of your issues. Once you know for sure what you are dealing with you will do exactly that...deal with it. And the good news is we are here to support you! Ask questions. This forum has so much information to dig into. Best of luck to you.
BIG ((( HUGS ))) Coming your way!! Having a little one is hard enough without having the added stress of not having a diagnosis and treatment. I hope once your tests come in it will be nothing serious. Stop over thinking it and take each step one at a time. The added stress isn't helping at all! If you do get a diagnosis of Menieres Disease, ask your new Dr. About Antiviral treatment. You can read a lot about that here and even print things to bring to your Dr. That has helped myself and many others and it is relatively a new treatment not many Drs are aware of. It doesn't help everyone and it sometimes takes months to kick in but it also has very few, if any, side effects. I can only advise you on what works for me. As far as help and support goes, I think we will all agree that that's what we're here for and no need to apologies for reaching out. Hopefully being here will ease your stress. Good Luck to you and keep us posted!
Yes hugs and deep compassion for the extreme impact this has on life as lived before. Glad you are here with us.
Yes during extreme vertigo attacks there is no way I could have driven a car. Drop attacks forced me to stop driving for months at a time.
My OTO did tell me to stop driving. He said that he has had to report patients to the DMV. I selected to end the drops by selecting surgery. I don't want to change the topic so PM me if you would like to know more about drop attacks or you could start a new thread on drop attacks.
Be very careful, drop attacks can kill you an others if you have one while driving. Safety first for yourself and others. I find the mental is just as hard to deal with as the physical. Stay positive... ((((Hugs)))))
Hugs to you.Maybe you could try migraine glasses while on the computer? http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/news/20110527/do-tinted-glasses-provide-migraine-relief
I have never heard of migraine glasses, but since I am on a computer 8hrs a night they might help! Thank you.