Hi I am having a lot of fun with the following symptons: - Loud Tinnitus - Dizziness - Disequilibrium (sort of brain slip feeling) - Brain Fog and disorientation - Distorted hearing but no significant loss This is coming from the left ear, i've had T since 2005 but it was nothing like it is now, the dizziness and related issues i experienced in a short spell when T first came on but last Nov/Dec the symptoms lasted for weeks and now they're back again. Last year i was seen by an ENT who put the dizziness etc down to stress from T but now the symptoms are back I've requested to see a neurologist. However this could take weeks maybe even months, i really need a diagnosis so i can direct my energy into getting better. The waiting around is killing me. Has anyone had similar symptons and been diagnosed with MD or something else, what should i be doing at this stage, any meds and VRT exercises that might help?? Can something be done in the early stages to prevent major hearing loss and vertigo, maybe a steriod injection? Any help will be hugely appreciated
It certainly could be. But it could also be a dozen other things. These symptoms commonly show up in withdrawal from certain medications (e.g. valium and other benzos), so if you're going through that, then you should consider this possibility. Your doctor is correct that stress can cause it, but he's not correct to "diagnose" that without further evidence. Did he script you any anti-anxiety drugs? You'll want to be careful about taking those, as they are highly addictive. You'll want to see a neurOTOlogist for a full workup. I know you want answers right away, but you're likely to have to wait a few months before it can be resolved. Even then, you may never know with certainty. A lot of it depends on the quality of your doctor. Find the best and get to the House Clinic or other high quality center if you can.
What scott tom said. Could be hydrops (ie menieres), could also be something else more or less serious. Get a workup to rule out other things as soon as you can.
Thanks I'm not on any medication other than a multivitamin and Ginko tabs. I was given anti-anxiety pills but didn't bother with them, i want to fix the underlying problem not mask it. I'm in the UK and not many neurotologists about, guess i'll have try my luck with another ENT. I've been really strict with my diet last few days but no change in the dizziness and disequilibrium. Should i try a diuretic?
It's impossible for us to advise on medicine without a diagnosis. Having said that, you will probably try everything you can to make it stop. While doing this, you might consider that hundreds of people with Menieres have found complete relief with antivirals. So that's something to try if you find out you have Menieres.
Try eliminating caffeine if you havent done that. Try moderating salt if you are a big salt user. Try eliminating stress as best you can by getting enough sleep and that kind of thing. If it were hydrops, these things might help and i dont think they can hurt. An ent should know something about menieres, shouldnt he?
Diuretics are commonly prescribed for hydrops. They help some, they did zero for me. If you take them, make sure you have your electrolytes checked periodically. I have hydrops and had bad distortion and antivirals helped a ton with the distortion. However, i have also had an acoustic neuroma, benign brain tumor of the hearing and balance nerve (which required surgery )and the symptoms can be similar. That is why it is important to have an ent or neurotologist rule out other causes before assuming symptoms are from menieres/hydrops. Something important might be missed if you get your diagnosis on the internet ;-) good luck, hope you get some answers soon.
You may want to give the John of Ohio (JOH) vitamin regimen a chance. Easily found on this website. It provided a lot of relief to me for years. But certainly get some good ear specialists on your team to help combat this thing. Good luck.