I've read two different threads today where someone indicated that after the initial onset of symptoms, they were told they probably have Meniere's from just their first visit to the ER or doctor's office. I'm just wondering how many other people were told this right off the bat as well. It wasn't until at least my fourth visit to my ENT that he told me he thought I might have Meniere's disease. This was after an MRI, an EcoG, an ABR, and some blood work. One of the things my ENT said was that Meniere's is over-diagnosed, and I have to agree with him. Given that there are any number of issues that can produce similar symptoms, I find it somewhat irresponsible for a medical professional to diagnose someone with Meniere's, even just 'probably', without sufficient testing, especially an MRI which would rule out other possible serious conditions. Any thoughts?
My DR told me at my first visit that he was 90% sure I had Cochlear Hydrops and told me to come back for an ECOG test and he was sure that would confirm it. My DR has never mentioned Meniere's disease... I only know that it is similar to Cochlear Hydrop's by Googling. Well the ECOG "confirmed" Cochlear Hydrops. The sad thing is I left his office misreading him... he made it sound like no big deal and I was thinking it was something that could be cured. I was SO happy on my way home, "yay! it is fixable". Googled CH when I got home and was in for a rude awakening. But yeah, he sure was quick to diagnose.
I had three different vertigo attacks lasting 4+ hours and each time afterward a doctor told me it was benign positional vertigo. After the 3rd (over the course of 6 months) I went to a different doctor who said it sounded like Meniere's (I had found the symptoms online and wanted to see if they would say it!). She referred me for all of the vestibular testing to rule out all other options. Those came back ruling out everything else and that I was "textbook" case. Even with that my regular doctor at the time didn't agree because he said Meniere's is rare...'course he didn't have any other idea of what was causing the attacks but didn't agree it was Meniere's. LOL So helpful. But to the original question...I am surprised that the first visit would say Meniere's.
I was diagnosed in the 1980's, but the tests and process for a Meniere's diagnosis have changed a lot. It took over two years of tests and several different sources (including the VA) before I heard the word Meniere's from a doctor.
My audiogram and history screamed cochlear hydrops or 'early menieres' to my dr. Many tests, drs and years later, it turns out he was right.