Hello, First, I have no diagnosis at this point, but this website kept coming up when I was looking for info. I’ve had terrible ears my entire life. I always had ear infections as a kid, treated of course, and as an adult my eardrum burst from all the pressure when I was sick once. I have terrible allergies, both seasonal and continuous, so I take a daily antihistamine, sometimes two, plus use a nasal spray. Despite all this I frequently had mild vertigo but nothing too bad; I usually noticed it in the shower but it would be gone by the next morning. Headaches are my constant companion. Last year I had a couple of vertigo incidents that lasted maybe half an hour, but they didn’t even make me nauseous really and I just figured I was congested and moved on. I have a feeling of fullness in my right ear rather frequently, but just figured it was from allergies. My ears are very sensitive to sound, particularly drums when my husband plays music; however my oldest grandson sometimes talks at a certain pitch and I have trouble understanding him. Anyway, two weeks ago I had a horrible vertigo episode that happened out of nowhere, and it continued for the rest of the day. I got up and started our coffee, then started making my husbands lunch and it hit me. We had EMTs check my vitals, all good. I had a mobile IV to keep me hydrated and then slept most of the day from there. By the next morning I was in the hospital for more fluids and something to help with nausea and was hoping to find out what was wrong. That didn’t happen. I have an appointment with an ENT at the beginning of June though. My doctor told me I can take an OTC med for nausea so I have that, and I increased my antihistamine to two per day. I’m still struggling with balance, although today I haven’t had to take anything for nausea. My questions are what should I be asking my doctor when I go to the appointment? What tests should I expect to rule out MD or get confirmation of it?
Re. Betahistine, I was given a prescription for it myself, but it is for 16 MG tablets, and research seems to show that only high-dose Betahistine works. Anyone have thoughts on this?
Hi Igors Mistress , my dose is 48 mg 3 *day . (This is what is considered helpful in Germany. ) Plus, enough potassium and magnesium and 37,5 mg Amitryptiline in the evening. Do not just get a prescription, but talk to a ENT Dr. about your antihistamines. When you take them, it might be that betahistine do not work. Best wishes, Lilja
Thanks for the info. I will talk to my ENT. Another thought re VIRUSES. I went to a naturopath who did lots of test on me and said he thinks I may be dealing with a longterm virus. I tested positive for Epstein-Barr (but he said most people do) and also West Nile! The problem is, he said blood tests cannot distinguish between an active virus and an old one you have already overcome-- they just show antibodies. Anybody else get tested for West Nile? It comes from a mosquito bite and produces neurological problems.
More on West Nile and inner-ear disease.... Cochlear-Vestibular Impairment due to West Nile Virus Infection - PubMed
Menieres is the initial diagnosis, waiting for MRI and balance tests with follow up appointment at the end of the month. Dr suggested hearing aids and said to think about it until then. Will help with tinnitus and hearing loss. Said he may refer to neurologist depending on test results.
Hearing Aids definitely helped me.Does take about 6 months for your brain to get adjusted and rebalance is what my Audiologist told me and she was correct.My tinnitus definitely not noticeable has much when they are in.I don’t have mine programmed for white noise since my doctor told me to just wear them and see if it covers it up.Problem is when I take them off for the day it drives me crazy for sure.It didn’t help my Vertigo.I ended up having vestibule decompression surgery which has helped me for sure..Surgery is not for everyone for sure..Best of luck and I definitely recommend a good set of hearing aids thru a good audiologist for sure
Several years out now after surgery and I say my ENT is a god sent. Went back for my check up last week.Yes,I do have a few side effects from the surgery.Main thing is I have very few dizzy spells anymore.