I am new to this site so please bare with me. I have been diagnosed with Menieres, BPPV and Tinnitis. I can finally live with the tinnitis. (Although it took me about 10 years to learn to cope) I just can't seem to cope with the menieres. There is no warning. One minute I am fine and the next, I am out. Can't walk, can't see clearly, violent nausea, for about 4-6 hours. Then the brain fog. I have been reading the post on here and no one mentions the BPPV. I have been suffering from Meniere's disease as long as I can remember. Way before I had ever heard of Meniere's Disease. Episodes were rare, maybe one per year. Then as I grew older even less. Then after I had a viral infection, I lost most of the hearing in one ear and the episodes started again, along with the tinnitis. I seem to have more attacks due to stress now. (5 attacks in one week takes a lot out of you) So I quit my job and had no attacks for 1 1/2 years. I was wondering if anyone else had associated their attacks with stress. I also have trouble with changing altitudes. Result of a recent ski trip was that I had an attack and threw up most of the flight home. That was fun! Going up and down in an elevator usually triggers dizziness, (or drunken feeling) but not necessarily a full blown attack. I have not tried the antivirals, but will surely check on this treatment. I live in a small town where unfortunately, I probably know about as much about treatments as anybody. (Fluid pills, valium, antihistamines, low salt, no caffeine) OK just wanted to see if anybody else had ideas on this. Thanks for reading. Thanks for having this site. Got lots of ideas. Great to know that I am not alone.
Sandra , my first MM attack took place after prolonged stress at work. It all started then. (unfortunately) You are in the right place now, there are so many lovely people here who will share their knowledge and experience with you. Try antivirals and John of Ohio's regimen. Here is a link to dr Gacek's study: http://www.mm3admin.co.za/documents/docmanager/6e64f7e1-715e-4fd6-8315-424683839664/00056616.pdf Here is John of Ohio's approach to MM: http://www.zoominternet.net/~kcshop/JOH.PDF
Welcome Sandra! So sorry you are going through this, but you have found a good place. I don't (or perhaps rarely) get vertigo attacks from MM (just have the tinnitus, hearing loss, and fullness parts), so I can't speak to the stress about the attacks, but this whole thing started at a time of high stress. I'm surprised you aren't seeing much about BPPV here. I think if you keep looking you will. A lot of us have it. Have you seen a physical therapist and done the Epley Maneuver yet? That is a huge help. Once you are clear which side it is on you can do the at-home Epley Maneuver which is here: http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/bppv/home/home-pc.html (I do the one called "best home treatment") After several times in the office and at home, now when the BPPV comes up again I only have to do it once and it lasts many months. I have stopped vertigo episodes with this! I have a lot of trouble with altitude too, but that seems to be very unusual. I am starting to think it may have more to do with hyperacusis related to my migraines (a lot of us have migraines and MAV or migraine associated vertigo, too). I avoid going above 500 feet in elevation. When I do my ear gets very stuffed and it lasts for days. For me wearing these ear plugs, which slow pressure changes, helps greatly: https://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/flyfit/. (Other brands like EarPlanes work too, I just find these more comfortable.) Last time I flew was terrible, even with the ear plugs, and I don't think I'll fly again in the forseeable future. It's not worth it to me. I use the ear plugs when I need to go somewhere a little higher elevation. I highly recommend pursuing the anti-virals. The are very low risk, and the benefits are huge. My symptoms reduced greatly on them. I even got some hearing back. I have so much more energy. The JOH regime is very helpful, too.
Seems odd to have a diagnosis of MM and tinnitus as tinnitus is one of the four manifestations of MM. Stress affects the immune system. The immune system controls/deals with illness. Less stress is good for our health. Or am I being too simplistic? Quitting your job can be a restorative for many. It seems to be working for me.
BPPV is talked about many times, put BPPV in the forums search box. Motion triggering symptoms is more a MAV indication, but many of us have MM and MAV. I agree with yellow, tinnitus is not a disease its a symptom, and can be a symptom of MM or MAV or both. Check out the links in my signature for info on antivirals and MAV (vestibular migraines (headaches not required) You didn't mention vertigo, do you get vertigo attacks?(they are different than feeling dizzy) Do you have any hearing loss? were you tested with MRI's ENG's etc to rule everything else out? Good luck and I hope you find your way to feel better!
Sandra sorry you are having to deal with this. I developed symptoms after a particularly stressful time and so I have always wondered if there is any connection. There is a book by Robert Sapolsky Why Zebras Don't get ulcers which explains some of the biological processes that happen when we are under chronic stress and how these can result in some stress related diseases. baloo
Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I do get vertigo and have taken antivert. I also get seasick at the mention of going boating. Might be a connection there. I have not had an MRI because I don't have insurance at this time and it just is not in my budget. I noticed an unusual thing the last time that I flew. I expected the pressure in the plane to hurt my ears, but it seemed to help. I felt like I could hear much better out of the "bad" ear. When we reached cruising altitude my ear popped and felt better. Thanks for all the recommendations for treatment. I want to try them all! At one time! Then I realized that I would not know exactly what worked. I am going to try one thing at a time and try to keep a diary or notebook to see what works best. I also think that some of the OTC items could help with the energy levels. I have gotten some really great info from this site. I wish I had looked for support before. (Brain fog!)
I had tinnitus long before any other MM symptoms popped up. Now one ear is a lot louder but the "good" ear rings as well. You're right about stress being a trigger for immune response which makes MM worse for many of us. When my stress level is high the symptoms are worse which adds to the stress which .... breaking the cycle is not easy.