Some of you may remember my history with Bell's Palsy. I am thinking that the Bell's Palsy attacks I had in 2005 and 2009 on the left side damaged my inner ear. I feel that my symptoms are then brought on by migraine. I have very frequent headaches, as well as migraine auras, photosensitivity, head pressure. My Meniere's symptoms (ear pressure, roaring tinnitus, fullness, dizziness) virtually disappeared during both of my pregnancies, along with my headaches and migraine symptoms. The Meniere's symptoms all came back after the births of both of my kids along with migraines. I recently had a week and a half break from ear fullness following a vertigo attack but the fullness all came back the day after an awful migraine. I am interested to hear if others think I am onto something... or just crazy. Just thinking a lot while waiting for my upcoming appointment in January with Dr. Goebel.
I think we are all different. This might be the thing that explains what happened to you. I remember the old leg bone is connected to the foot bone song, so your bells palsy might have been the first domino. I hope you can run this by a caring doctor who will help. I am sure other people will chime in also. Take care.
Your theory is plausible. MAV and MD are not mutually exclusive. The other observation that I would make is that during pregnancy a woman’s immune system is altered in a process known as immune mediation. Interesting that you had two periods of remission during that time. Brief research shows that there are other conditions that improve during pregnancy like psoriasis, MS and rheumatoid arthritis. I remain of the belief that the workings of the immune system are key to the management of this condition. Being good to yourself, with appropriate rest, exercise, stress-avoidance, good diet etc all play an important supporting role.
What came to my mind is bells palsy is sometimes caused by a virus, menieres is sometimes cured by antivirals ...
Yes, I have thought of that too June. I feel like my Bell's has to have some kind of role in my Meniere's. I really hope my new doctor will let me try the antivirals.
Well that right there would be a good excuse for him to do it as antivirals are sometimes rxed for bells palsy. My family dr was the first to rx antivirals to me. She said ' i will prescribe it if you want to try it' both of us acknowledging it might work, might not. She seemed to be comfortable with that expectation.
June, How long did you take antiviral before you went into remission and did the antiviral help you retain hearing?
It was gradual. Within a month my hearing improved a lot, particularly distortion and tinnitus. I only took avs for six months. I regained my hearing in low frequencies slowly over months and years. The tulios type symptoms i had went away in the first month. Allergy treatment also helped the hearing.