Labrynthitis

Yes...Pretty much everyday for the past 3 years.

 

when enough damage is done to your vestibular system the symptoms are the same as labyrinthitis. I am 11 years in. dozens of attacks. At a certain point the hairs are very damaged and your balance does not bounce back.

 

I was diagnosed over 19 years ago with Menier's in right ear. The first few years were horrible, with fullness; tinnitus; a general feeling of not being well; and vertigo attacks sometimes 3 to 4 times a week. Had one drop attack. Was afraid to go anywhere or do anything. Depression set in. 3 ENT's told me I had to just live with it. Tried a 4th. He, at least, told me he could help with the symptoms. Low sodium diet, (1500 to 2000 mg per day); really reduce any sugar; no caffeine; no alcohol. Prescribed Hydrochlorothyazide. After a year or more, the full out vertigo attacks quit. I have lost almost all hearing in that ear. However, loud noise or banging will send me through the roof because it's so sound sensitive. I have continued to have tinnitus 24/7 in varying degrees, along with fullness that goes from minimal to more extreme. Stress and/or lack of sleep does not help. I also started seeing a chiropractor about 3 years into all this, through a friend's recommendation, as he felt he could help with the symptoms. I do feel the regular neck and back adjustments have helped. About 9 or 10 years ago I started adding a few things to my extremely bland and boring diet. (Several years of watching other people enjoy a little social life was pretty hard. It seems all social events are centered on food. Even church events!) Although, I still watched that I didn't exceed my sodium count, when my kids came over for a Friday night Papa Murphy's pizza night, I would allow myself a couple slices of thin crust with pineapple and tomatoes. I love chocolate, so started treating myself, or enjoying a few sweets. Also enjoying some red wine or a beer or cocktail, and though I buy the lowest sodium available, I started eating cheese. I have found a few canned items that do not have salt added, and a whole grain bread without salt added. Potato chips without salt. Decaf coffee once in a while. Never cook with salt, never add salt, and 95% of the time strictly following the low sodium diet. Through all those years, I still had tinnitus and varying degrees of fullness, and some days feeling better than others. But, I didn't necessarily attribute the bad days with being after a time when I allowed myself to enjoy a food or drink that was not considered a part of my normal low sodium diet. Then, about December of this year the fullness and pressure on that side got worse. I started really being more careful again. But, it got continually worse. The fullness went to pressure, not only in the ear, also in the eye, cheek, & jaw, with earache and jaw pain. Almost daily headaches. The pressure built up to where I was feeling like I would have a full blown vertigo attack at any moment. I have had to take Meclazine several times, which seems to help a little. But, only at night because it makes me drowsy. I have experienced tinnitus in my left ear from time to time, and hope it's not an indication that part of the current issues could be that this crap is going into my other ear. I've been so strict with my diet the last two months that I have lost 13 lbs. So, this brings me to the real reason for this very long post. (Sorry). I am experiencing extreme balance issues, a really weird feeling in my head, and an almost "weak" feeling. I had joined our local YMCA about 2 1/2 years ago and started working out two to three times a week. Was feeling a lot stronger and more in shape. Even went to Disneyland with my kids a couple years ago and kept up with them pretty good. (I'm 67). Now, that would be out of the question. So, in answer to one question about anyone else having balance and dizziness without the full on vertigo. Yes, so far no full on vertigo. But, increase in imbalance; feeling light headed; increased fullness. But, at this point no vertigo. My ENT has suggested I try betahistine. I'm in the process of trying to obtain in through a Canadian pharmacy. I just received vitamin B6 and B5 that I ordered after reading a thread on here where some people are feeling they are being helped by taking these vitamins. I am hopeful that this will be helpful. As, I would much rather take vitamins than to take another medication. Have either of you read that thread, tried the Vitamin B6 and B5, or taken Betahistine?

 

I have CH. I have had odd things like tilting to the right for a few hours. Dr not surpised but no explanation offered to me.

 

I have CH and have had it for over a year. I am on Betahistine. I no longer have any dizziness or aural fullness just flare ups every few weeks where I get hearing loss, increased tinnitus and sound sensitivity. Have just started on the B5/B6 to see if this stops the flare ups.. Betahistine has no side effects so I woudnt be concerned in taking it.. I am told you can get it made up in the USA

 

I am in the process of ordering Betahistine through a Canadian pharmacy. Would you mind sharing the dosage you are on, & if there are things you avoid eating and drinking while taking it? Are you on a low sodium diet, as well? The last few months I have been experiencing a big increase in Menierer's symptoms, after keeping them some what at bay for several years. I'm on day 6 of 110mg B6 / 125 mg B5, along with REALLY keeping my diet in check with sodium and sugar/carbohydrates & taking AV & upped the Lysine for the months I've had the flare up. The last few days have been better. This disease is so hard to figure what exactly is, or is not helping!!

 

[QUOTE="Ponx54, post: 78248, member: 2000". Betahistine has no side effects so I woudnt be concerned in taking it.. I am told you can get it made up in the USA[/QUOTE]

Did you mean you experienced no side effects?

Betahistine can indeed have side effects. Anything that has an effect can have a side effect. Common ones for betahistine are allergy related (it is pro-histaminic) and stomach issues.