Hi, I am confused about a few things. From what I read, Meniere's attacks involve at least 2 or 3 of the following: vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, aural fullness. I only ever have the first...none of the others. And, what still leads me to wonder if I don't have BPPV instead of Meniere's is that when I lay down during an episode, I usually have spinning when I lay on one side, but usually not on the other side so I sleep accordingly. All this being said, the doctor did say that I probably have some sort of variant on "atypical Meniere's". Still, there seems to be a need for further research.
Hi I was reading your first post and although I'm no expert I can't see that a specialist can say from tests that there is a presence of menieres. From the description of your symptoms I think it is likely that you do have either BPPV or MAV and you may indeed also have menieres. Like you when I was suffering, lying on my left side, which is also my deaf side made the vertigo and dizziness worse. Seems to be something about different sides of one's body. I have digestive problems and when I lay also on my left side I tend to belch a lot, not very nice, so I sleep on my right side. Sorry to mention belching but it could be worse LOL
Hi jaypr, No problem about reference to belching...lol....that is another one of my issues..has been for years. Maybe somehow interrelated with everything else, who knows. It's not just my left side during an attack....it can be either. I experiment with the light on in the bedroom to find out which side is affected. Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it. It's a work in progress to be sure Regards, Keith
I know you mentioned in another post that you had an ECOG, but has your doctor sent you for an MRI? Vertigo can be caused by a number of things and if anything, an MRI will rule out what's not causing it.
Hi Keith, My first experience with MM over 40 years ago was sudden vertigo. I didn't experience anything else before that first vertigo attack. Aural fullness followed later, then tinnitus, then hearing loss. The fact that you get vertigo while lying on one or the other sounds a lot like BPPV. How long have you been diagnosed with MM? Cheryl
Zotjen....I agree with you....have not had an MRI in quite a few years. I mentioned it to the ENT that did my testing and he said it probably wasn't necessary since nothing showed up when I had it done before (?) I'm thinking that I maybe should have it done though. Cheryl....only was diagnosed a few weeks ago. I went to another ENT about 10 years ago for the same symptoms but didn't make it through the testing (actually didn't this time either) and so there was no follow-up the first time around nor anything definitive that came out of it...no follow-up consultation...nothing (which I thought was a bit odd). So, then I just left it go since all I was really getting was occasional lightheadedness, nothing like these vertigo attacks of the past few years. And, yeah...it does sound to me more like BPPV but this doctor said the ECOG confirms atypical MM. Who really knows? It seems as though arriving at a specific diagnosis of BPPV, MM, MAV, etc. is a bit nebulous and open to different interpretations, e.g. I have read that the ECOG in and of itself is controversial as a definitive diagnostic tool. Ultimately, it really doesn't matter as long as we find a way to get the symptoms under control or at least not get any worse. I have abductor spasmodic dysphonia (one of those rather rare disorders) and thought THAT was a bit nebulous in its cause and origins...but this is even more difficult to pin down the way it seems, but then what do I know?? I'm learning as I go here.
To me it sounds like BPPV first before anything else. Usually you can get rid of it sometimes with one try doing the epley maneuvre, some have to do it several times. Be sure to the maneuvre for the side that is affecting you. This video is for the RIGHT side, if you experience it on the left, the manuevre will be different. Have a look here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llvUbxEoadQ
Ok here's the one for the manuevre instructions for the left side https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkkYGH79lWQ Physiotherapists should know how to perform these or your doctor so if you don't feel comfortable doing them it's best to have them aid you. Let us know how it goes.
Prozeal...thanks. I've tried home epley manuevers a few years ago but really never with any great degree of diligence. And, what I managed to do with it obviously didn't help. Here's the thing....I have this general feeling of lightheadedness / floating / dizziness nearly all the time - much more frequent than even 6 months to a year ago during which time I would have a significant vertigo / dizziness attack and then done until the next one probably a few months later - so I guess my next question for this forum is....other than when an episode or attack is taking place, do people who have MM otherwise feel normal and not have any lightheadedness or other symptoms? I'm not referring to any tinnitus issues because I don't have that. At this point, I think several things are in order: 1) get an MRI just to be certain there is nothing else going on 2) discuss other options with my urologist for dealing with BPH - since the medicine I'm on over the past few years ALSO can cause dizziness and lowers BP. Perhaps I am no longer able to tolerate this medicine (flomax) as well as before 3) try a good portion of John of Ohio's regimen which I discovered on this site 4) revisit the ENT who just diagnosed MM and discuss things further - informing him of my recent bad experience with triamterine.
I am not aware of any test that will confirm Meniere's - only tests that can rule out other things. BPV typically lasts for a short period of time, seconds/minutes. Meniere's attacks (full vertigo room spinning) last for longer (mine typically 4+ hours before the ativan was prescribed). I went through a period a couple of years ago that I was dizzy/off balance 24/7 - but not full vertigo attacks. I remembered that I had some meclizine (the first drug the doctor recommended for vertigo attacks but it didn't help my vertigo). I took that it started to help within an hour or so. I had to take it for about 4-5 days before everything was done. Not sure what was going on - most likely something inner ear (infection?). Meclizine is available over the counter in the US - it makes some people very drowsy, me I get tired but I can get through it. Some stores also have a generic/store brand version that is even cheaper. Might be worth a try for you.