Does your ENT prescribe Pred with each new drop in hearing? I was diagnosed 4/14 with "sudden hearing loss" (one side). Initially I lost low DB but since then I'm losing at all DB. Each time I notice a big change in hearing I go the the ENT for a hearing test and go on 10 days of Predisone. Twice I did four weekly sets of the injections in the ear drum. My hearing did not improve with any form of Pred. I was told it wasn't Meniere's since I did not respond positively to steriods. In the past four months I've started having vertigo episodes. I traveled to Vanderbilt early July and was diagnosed with Meneire's. I notice "fullness", then hearing loss, then comes the vertigo ...and the fullness and hearing loss improve. Since Friday I've had the fullness, hearing loss, and no vertigo. Also no improvement in hearing. I made an appointment to see the ENT tomorrow. I'm assuming after the hearing test shows further loss, he'll offer steriods. I may take the oral but not the injections (since they have never helped before). I've taken anti virals but not for a continued period of time. I did try to take them but after about a month they were making my jaw ache (that is stated as a side effect) so I stopped. I do grind my teeth. I also have insomnia. I did 20 hyperbaric oxygen sessions (no improvement). I've seen a chiropractor (not the NUCCA specialists - none in my area) and done acupuncture. At one point a few months after the HBOT my hearing did improve, but has gone back down again. I'm starting the John of Ohio regime. Just curious if some of you continue to try the steriods with each hearing loss. KC
I've been reading here about vestibular migraines, wondering if that could be what i have (strong migraine family history although I have never had headaches). The doctor I saw at Vanderbilt was a neurotologist. He didn't discuss vestibular migraines but diagnosed "Meniere's". Now I wonder if it's a possibility, particularly since I don't respond to steriods. KC
That's good that you are looking into the migraine connection.Especially if you have the strong family history. Ask your neuro or family doctor to let you try some migraine meds and if you improve that could be the source. There is so much overlap with migraine,menieres and other things that a diagnosis can be difficult that's one of the reasons it takes such a long time to get one. I only got steroids when I had sudden hearing loss and it did help my hearing to come back. I spoke with a doctor about a month ago as I am having BPPV issues and she told me the clinic no longer did steroid injections as they had several patients who lost their hearing from it. Good luck in your search for the answer. Keep researching here especially the old forum archives.
ENT confirmed more hearing loss. I'm on Prednisone (oral) for two weeks (which has never worked before to help hearing loss, although it does temporarily help vertigo episodes). Also trying long term Valtrex. I tried Valtrex in the past but stopped after about a month due to severe jaw pain (which I read was a side effect). As it is I grind my teeth... He did not think I have vascular migraines...he said they don't cause hearing loss (although I've read different here). I could go on Noratriptalyne (which sis takes for migraines), but then if I DO have improvement I won't know if it's the Valtrex or migraine meds. Any suggestions? KC
I was helped by Prednisone. You will see on this website, the theory is the herpes virus is causing inflammation and so Prednisone help with vertigo. The real solution is an anti-viral to get to the root cause. It doesn't work for everyone.
Pred has yet to work for me either. I think this is the 4th time I've tried a 14 day course of it. I'm always hopeful though! KC
How's your diet, are you following the guidelines for menieres? If not how about the diet guidelines for mav? You have to be careful because if you aren't following the diet recommendations you could keep damaging the inner ear tissues further and further.
I have all the things you are talking about--Meniere's, MAV (Migraine Associated Vertigo), and teeth grinding. My Meniere's is most helped by Valacyclovir. The JOH regime and avoiding high-arginine foods help, too. My MAV has been helped by finding the triggers and eliminating them--for me it was eyestrain, mostly caused by presbyopia from age, so new progressive glasses for both regular wear and the computer solved that. When my jaw is tight it definitely aggravates my ear symptoms. I do a lot to try to relax my jaw, including massaging it and massaging my shoulders (shoulder muscle connected to opposite jaw--if your ear is stuffed try rubbing the opposite shoulder, it often makes mine pop). I also saw a physical therapist who taught me jaw relaxation exercises which help a lot. Wearing a good bite plate at night helps a lot, too, but they are expensive and not always good, I lucked into getting a good one. I've also had a few run ins with BPPV. The Epley Maneuver solved that. Good wishes!
It sounds very familiar with what happened to me. I went to Vanderbilt for testing as well. I have been recently diagnosed with Menieres. I did do several rounds of steroids before getting on Meclazine and Valium. My Meneire's specialist says that I can not have any more steroids this year. The steroids did help, but it was like a band-aid and only offered temporary relief. The tinnitus came back after several weeks. The last burst of steroids didn't even work. Didn't touch it. That Meniere attack last roughly 83 days off and on. Pure Hell. Mostly loud T, sore neck, vertigo, and headaches. Luckily, I have been in remission for about 3 weeks now. I go on the 30th for another hearing test to see how it is doing.
Oh, wow! I took Steroids (Prednisone) orally about 2 mos. ago. After having to 'wean off' early but still taking 82 tablets over a 10 day period--had 3 trips to the E.R. with b/p spiking and horrible migraines and hadn't had them in 20 years. So, everyone reacts differently to meds. However, my audiogram showed I had improved in word recognition. That as 4 weeks ago. Everything is louder but so distorted that even normal conversation is very nerve wracking. I have to use closed caption on alot of TV viewing, and my husband and others have to repeat things to me 'alot' due to the distortion. Listening to music is 'so distorted' that it's not pleasurable anymore. I see my Ent in another 4 weeks so will have another audiogram--can't take Prednisone anymore, so not sure if he has anything more to offer. I took meds for Vestibular migraine too and side effects were too bad--so had to stop them too. I wear bilateral hearing aids so that helps some but have to keep adjusting them to hear clearly at all. Very discouraged as of now.