I've had Meniere's for 14 years and just this year started experiencing vertigo. All of my other symptoms have unfortunately gotten worse as well. The audiologist officially diagnosed me with Hyperacusis a week ago but now every time I'm on the phone or I hear a loud noise, I get dizzy and have to either sit down or hold on to something until the noise stops. Is anyone else experiencing this and does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with it? Thanks!
That can be a variety of things. Tullio's Phenomenon, SCD, or PLF are known to cause this. Benzos (e.g. valium) are also known to cause it.
There are also some good earplugs that will dampen loud sounds while allowing you to hear softer ones. They are molded to your ear, set for a certain decibel level, and cost about $100.
Thanks Scott Tom - I have those earplugs and the audiologist said NOT to wear them too often or it will make the hyperacusis worse (grrr - I can't win). I only take Valium when the vertigo hits. I've not heard of SCD or PLF, but will look into it. I have an appt. on Wednesday and am going to beg to try anti-virals. Fingers crossed! Maybe it will help?!?!?!
I have had that happen when my symptoms are bad. I avoid loud places or where ear plugs. I have begun to wonder if it might be related to MAV. I also react to pressure changes. One time when the audiologist did that pressure test on my ear drum the whole room rocked. I can't go above about 500 ft. without my ear getting stuffed. I hope the anti-virals help you. They have lessened all problems for me (except actually that elevation one...). I have done better with the brand name Valtrex than with the generic (though the generic Ranbaxy helped significantly)
I had this problem. For me it was certain low pitched tones and rhythm. I had many many other symptoms including hearing loss and distortion too. When i took antivirals the distortion and tinnitus went away and so did the tulio' s like symptoms. I have not had a return of these symptoms and it has been more than 9 years. It does take a few months of treatment so be patient. It is worth a try if you have not tried them.
Thanks everyone - I haven't tried anti-virals and am hoping I can convince my doctor on Wednesday to prescribe them. I have such depression and anxiety about everything (which I know makes it all worse), but this new symptom of dizziness with any noise is unbearable!
FWIW, i still had some minor symptoms like hyperacusis and tinnitus until about a year after starting antivirals. I can tell you that after 1 year on them, i had zero symptoms, and continue to live ssx-free. I feel completely restored in every way. If it's a viral cause, then they are very combative and hard to suppress, so you have to patient.
wow so you had menieres for 14 years and the vertigo started after all those years? what were your symptoms for these past 14 years to be consider it menieres?
Mariofrommty - technically I guess I had cochlear hydrops. I would lose low frequency hearing, tinnitus and aural fullness and hyperacusis whenever I would have an "attack". I've been on a low sodium diet and diuretic since the start and oral steroids when I had a flare up. About 5 years ago, the oral steroids stopped working and I then got intratympanic injections of steroids which did the trick until this year. I had a very stressful month of February and got vertigo for the first time in March. Had about 12-16 steroid injections since then with very short lived success. Tried the JOH regime and currently going to an upper cervical chiropractor. I haven't had vertigo for about two months, but this dizziness with noise is making if very hard to do my job as I'm in sales. I can't even be on the phone or even talk myself without needing to sit down. I'm so depressed I don't know what to do about it!
TLB have you tried antivirals? if you havent please do!! it seems to be doing miracles for a lot of people. you will find a lot of information in this place
mariofrommty - I haven't tried them yet, but I have an appt. with the doctor on Wednesday and I'm going to beg them to let me try!
Tlb, it was my family doctor who first prescribed antivirals for me. I told her i had read on the internet that some people felt they had been cured by them. She knew my specialist had run out of things to try. She said ' i will prescribe them if you want to try them'. We both knew it was a long shot. I wasnt trying to make her 'believe in' a certain approach. In fact, i was pretty skeptical at that point myself. But doctors often try things if they feel there is no harm and a shot it might help. Good luck.