Hi all, I was sitting at my desk last year when my eyes started to move to the right then reset over and over again. My visual acuity was incredibly off. Then the spinning started and I just about made it downstairs to the W.C. before getting violently sick. I began to sweat profusely and had to get picked up from the office and brought home. I had to be linked out to the car. It honestly looked like I chugged a bottle of whiskey. I went to bed and slept for 2 hours. When I awoke the fatigue was intense. I was diagnosed with Unilateral MD in February 2025. My 6 month appointment is tomorrow and its now bilateral. I missed a week of work last month due to three severe attacks in three days. The mental and cognitive drain is affecting my ability to do my job. I drive to work and home but that's it and it stresses me out beyond belief. My social life is nonexistent these days. I cant deal with the noise in restaurants or bars. The audio is too loud in the cinema. I'm contemplating quitting my job and setting up a business from home. I don't see any other options right now. The worst part is that nobody understands just how debilitating it is. I found this forum today and its been a revelation. Thank you all for posting.
Hi DelFarr, I'm so sorry you're here, but you will get a lot of good advice and tried and true methods of dealing with this on this site. Everyone here is very supportive and helpful. I highly recommend either Ativan or Valium until you can figure out what works best for you. I was taking a low dose until I started on Sertraline, which has been very helpful. One would think that the vertigo and vomiting is the worst part, and of course it is horrendous, but I find the unexpectedness of the whole thing more distressing. I really struggled with the mental part of it for the first year. After I started taking anti-anxiety medication I am able to deal with it much better. Also, ask your doctor about anti-virals. And look at the JOH regimen. Being low on Vitamin D could be a factor too. There are so many triggers and we're all different. It's been three years for me, and the vertigo episodes are fewer and less severe. Everyone is different, so try not to be hard on yourself; it takes time to figure it out.
Del, How are you doing? Very sorry to hear your story. I remember my first spinning episode. Horrifying. As for you, what a jolt to be told you've gone bilateral so quickly. I used to come to this forum here about 5 years ago. It was very populated back then. Now it's almost bereft of comments. I suppose Facebook is where everyone goes now for groups like this.
Of course you are stressed out. This disease has ruined many lives. I hope you find answers and some peace.
Hi all, nice to meet you, I also had surgery for Ménière’s disease (endolymphatic sac drainage), but unfortunately my situation is very difficult right now. I have bilateral Ménière’s and I had my first surgery on the left ear. Since the operation I feel much worse: I have a constant blocked/closed ear sensation, very strong fullness/pressure, and severe autophony. The ovattamento (muffled ear feeling) is disabling and makes daily life extremely hard. I struggle to get up, work, or live normally. Did you ever go through something like this after your surgery? How long did it take for your symptoms to get better? Any advice or words of encouragement would really mean a lot to me. Thank you
Sounds like you had a shunt surgery. They are not shown to be effective, according to Cochrane. I had a shunt put in and it did nothing for me. If you have Meniere's in only one ear, you may want to consider surgery to cut the balance nerve in that ear, as I did. No more spinning episodes. Also, there are endomicin injections that attempt to kill the nerve as well. Did not work for me.
I’m really sorry to hear what you’re going through. It must be incredibly tough when it feels like no one fully understands how much this condition affects your daily life. I think it’s great that you found this forum. You’ll find a lot of people here who truly get it. It sounds like you’re dealing with a lot, and it’s totally understandable to consider a career change or even working from home to reduce stress. I know it’s not easy, but taking things one day at a time and exploring treatments or medications for symptom management, like anti-anxiety meds or vertigo treatments, might help ease the mental and physical strain. Wishing you strength and hoping you find the support you need! Feel free to reach out if you ever want to talk more.