I was diagnosed by an ear specialist with Menieres two weeks ago after being treated by my ENT for 5 weeks of hearing test, antibiotics, oral steroids and an MRI. In late Feb/early March I started with dizziness which led to fullness in the ears, then hearing loss and roaring sound. The ear specialist ordered vestibular testing, low salt diet, steroid injection into the ear that has substantial hearing loss. The doctor ordered diaretic pills that decrease my heart rate and make me feel extremely fatigued and have done nothing. Last I talked to the Nurse Practioner that the doc handed me over to I was told--"take your pills---see ya in 3 months". I need more options, more answers and more support. I am so thankful for this forum. I am in the processs of finding another otolaryngologist and also a functional doctor. Has anyone gone to a funcional doctor? I am supposed to fly this week, but I am very concerned. I still have the ear pressure, roaring sound, dizziness and hearing loss. Does flying make symptoms worse or bring on the vertigo?
I don't know what to tell you about the flying part but I would definitely say find another doc and if you need in sooner than they can do it you'll have to be very firm. My original doc did that to me once and I initially went with it until the vertigo and nausea and vomiting got so bad I couldn't function every day. I called and told them that I must get in to see him, I could not wait because I was miserable and needed help ASAP. She got me in two days later. When I saw him then and he saw the shape I was in he personally called the oto and got me in that week as an emergency. Be forceful. Tell them you can't take it another three months. Have you had any vertigo spells? Good luck!!!!
Thank you. The dizziness that I am having is like a rocking boat--as if I'm swaying side to side and it's tolerable. My worst symptom is the roaring sound and ear pressure--it's really hard to concentrate. I'm praying I get my hearing back in my left ear--I have an appt. for hearing test and possible hearing aid. Prior to menieres I usually struggled with ear pressure so I'm concerned flying will make my symptoms worse.
Flying has never affected my menieres. Try not to stress over it, I think you will be fine. You can always take a low dose valium before you fly if you continue to be concerned. It will settle down the vestibular nerve and might help with the dizzy feeling. Good luck.
Flying (and associated ear popping) actually makes me feel better. So does a quick trip to the mountains. We live in NC, so a drive to a higher elevation can be achieved within a couple of hours. ( provided I am not the driver, lol) Low pressure situations such as storms, hurricanes, tornadic activity and low altitude scenarios exacerbate my Menieres symptoms.
I'm literally on a flight right now to Dubai. The only part of flying that bothers me is the turbulence. I'm more sensitive to it than others. But meclizine takes care of it.
I just went to FL ( from CT ) in March and was also scared to fly - It was absolutely fine.... the thing to watch is to make sure you get enough rest... and watch your diet....But the actual flying shouldnt bring on an attack. Good Luck!