HI, I am new to this site and new to this disease. Let me first say that I have not had an official diagnosis. My doc who is a D.O. just said I had an inner ear infection and gave me antibiotics. He said I would get better and I have, very very slowly over the course of 9 weeks so far. But the first six weeks of vertigo and a complete haze was a living hell. So now with the fullness in the ear and other symptoms I checked regarding Menieres... it seem to fit. Without going into my entire story which is just too exhausting at the moment, I have a question I havent seen before. I just wanted to know if anyone else experiences eye strain and if the dizziness/vertigo is set off by just simply moving your eyes in a particular direction? Mine is. Also, if I focus on anything up close or for too long. Again, there is also pressure that almost feels like sinus pressure but its not. Its weird and different and like all of us here who experience unpleasant symptoms...I don't like it. Thanks for your feedback...
Those symptoms could be a LOT of things. Don't jump straight to the hellish option. If the symptoms return, get to a neurOTOlogist and get a battery of tests to make the correct diagnosis.
MissL, I have had three different diagnosis by three different ENTs. One said Meniere's after inconclusive tests, one said inner ear damage to hair structures in the cochlear and my latest one is saying Hyrdrops with Meniere's like symptoms. Who knows what I have. I would not worry about an exact diagnosis at this point, as sometimes I don't think doctors exactly know. I can't bend down without getting dizzy and terrible pressure, and sometimes just the weirdest actions will set it off like turning my head to quickly in one direction. I also have huge pressure around my eyes that feel like sinuses but an MRI indicated they were clear. Do you have extreme sensitivity to sound and a significant hearing loss? I have this with eye and hearing distortions with migraines and horrific tinnitus. Seeing more doctors.... I know this is scary...I am scared right along with you.
Thank you Jimmy! I am not aware of any hearing loss but I've heard that you can still have it without realizing it. When this started, I was in a classroom and had that sudden drop feeling, had to catch myself from falling. I thought it was an anxiety attack. So, I walked around etc...etc...Still wasnt going away so I got really scared and they called 911. Thankfully everything was "fine" after extensive testing. Gave me a prescription for valium which I never took because I dont like to take any meds. 2 days later when I followed up with my doc, he read the reports, saw the high WBC and neutriphils. He looked in my ear, it was red and thats why I got the Z pack. When I had gone back to my doc for the follow-up, 10 days after taking the Z pack, I had no other symptoms, at the time. So that is why he wouldnt refer me to anyone else. I noticed improvements on a weekly basis so didn't feel the need to do anything other than wait it out and research on my own. But yes, the pressure just from driving up and down hills was hell. The epley exercises didn't do much but then I saw this "1/2 somersault" thing on youtube by Dr. Carol Foster and tried it. I did it 4 times with 15 minute intervals. That night the vertigo seemed worse! But the next day, It had greatly improved. Anyway.....I was still having that constant state of vertigo. My BF calls it "vertigo in the background" based on what I have told him about the experience. Thankfully he never tires of listening to me talk about it. It has greatly improved but this ear fullness had me wondering and last week I had a relapse. I sat on the sofa all day, starting watching "Cheers" on Netflix and ate a whole bag of Utz ripples potato chips, popcorn, and ice cream. After the ice cream and intently loking down at my cup because it was so good. It hit me and hard, the vertigo, the pressure etc.....So a friend said about sodium and I remembered about Menieres Disease. Anyway....I tohught I would come here for more answers and support. Thank you!! It's really nice knowing I'm not alone even though this sux for anyone who has it.
Miss L I've had an MRI and several tests in (ear specialists) office before being diagnosed. Hope you continue seeking answers. I ignored what I believe could have been my first symptom 20 yrs ago. Now the Dr. says the severe hearing loss in my left ear probably will never improve. I've been out of work and have done plenty of couch time and found I feel worse after overindulging in sugary and sweet foods. About a month ago Dr. ordered a 800mg / day diet which I'm having trouble sticking to but have made a great effort. I've given up milk, cheese, chips and salsa; still haven't given up salad drsg and pizza but only eat one piece of pizza a week now.
Thank you Marie! I have a dr. apt today. So, hopefully I will get referred for more testing. Reading a lot online creates a strain and vertigo symptoms so I just started listening to audiobooks. Its been great. I havent noticed increased symptoms with sugar but definitely sodium. I never liked caffeine anyway but do get it in chocolate however I only eat a small piece of chocolate regularly. I used to have a few beers a week but since this all started, not even a sip! So....anyway...thanks for sharing!
From my appt today...I do not present with any other symptoms other than slight vertigo from head and eye movements. but its enough! and sinus type pressure and ear fullness. But everything looks fine when he examines me. So, he said to drink more fluids. He thinks its fluid in the ear and suggested I take a decongestant but I havent yet. I'm weird about stuff like that. But maybe I'll try it. I got a kids liquid. I'll try it. His friend is an ENT. He's going to talk to him about Meniere's and wants me to follow up in one month and if symptoms have not gotten better consistently, thats when he will refer me to the ENT. So, I'm ok with that plan. I am still able to work and enjoy life but this "vertigo in the background" still bugs me. He has been my dr. for 15 years and I trust him. I definitely do not (or the chances are extremely unlikely) that I have a tumor or anything life threatening. So....I'll just continue to monitor things and follow the low sodium diet which I've been doing and I really have noticed a difference! Thank you, Marie
Miss L Thanks for the update. Hope the vertigo thing clears up. In an earlier post I meant to say I feel better when I don't over eat sweet or salty things. I did eat pizza last night but so far feel good today.
Oh thats good for you! Glad to hear it! I was doing fine today but when I was out to lunch with a friend, I had dizzy spells everytime I got intently focused on my friend during conversation and the conversation. Its really weird. When I just relax my eyes and face muscles, I feel fine/normal. Also when I was looking down the isles at the registers at the grocery store looking for altoids, I was getting dizzy. Like if I'm moving my eyes and/or head quickly do to something like look for something "frantically" it hits and I get all dizzy and light headed. It also happens a little when I put my readers on.....I put a call in to a Opthamology doctor. I was reading about Vision rehab therapy and all the stuff that can go wrong with vision and cause dizziness.....So, we'll see where that path leads....
Look into a condition called Vertical Heterophoria...not saying that's what you have but might be something to get checked out.
thank you Yanksgirl and onehorse! I have an appointment with this Opthamologist April 21st to test for Vertical Heterophoria and all the rest of the visual stuff. There is something that really made sense when I read it so I'll be tested for that too. Its called "Aneisokonia. Aneisokonia is a condition where an excessive difference in prescription between the eyes causes a significant difference in magnification of images seen between the eyes. When this magnification difference becomes excessive the effect can cause disorientation, eyestrain, headache, and dizziness and balance disorders. Treatment is with contact lenses, or special magnification size matched lenses called isokonic lenses." On the NORA website is says all these things can be caused by vestibular dysfunction. In the meantime, I was blessed with a great day of feeling more normal. Coincidentally, i started wearing a very old pair of readers, 2 days ago, that seemed to not give me any eye strain or even mild discomfort/vertigo. They're missing an arm and make me look like a mad scientist but I'm feeling better in the head.