How to get properly diagnosed for Meniere's Disease?

Are there tests or anything available to get diagnosed for Meniere's Disease?
My daugther has symptoms, but how to make sure it is the Meniere's Disease?

Thanks

 

Hi- The most important thing for your daughter to do is to go to a neurotologist (which is a specialist in the area of vestibular disorders) and if there is not one in your area, then have her see an ENT.
There is not one exact definitive test that will prove Menieres (except for an autopsy-- don't want that one!).... but it is a diagnosis done through exclusion.
There are a huge battery of tests to be done-- such as ABR, ENG, ECOG, hearing test and many doctors also include a MRI in the testing. These will rule out other conditions and certain results do help point to the diagnosis of Menieres-- along with what symptoms the doctor hears.

There are MANY things that can mimic Menieres- so it is VERY important to have the appropriate testing.

Best wishes for you and your daughter!
Dianna

 

She has gone thru some tests. Hearing tests, some blood tests. She also had an MRI.
All doctors (she has seen 5 of them) are saying that my daugther has nerve damaged by a virus. The last doctor was talking about the MD though but he said that most likely my daugther does not have it.
<then have her see an ENT
What is ENT?

 

Hi Mark-

An ENT- is an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor (definitely more of a specialist in that area than a General Practitioner), but if at all possible, I would recommend that if there is that much questioning as to what she has-- that she go to see a neurotologist (they are the most highly trained in this area of medicine).


Hope this helps
Di

 

Yes, the ENTs are these doctors she had seen so far.
If I call a hospital and ask for a neurotologist anything else I should mention to get to the right doctor? Cause seeing a wrong doctor makes a perfectly healthy person permanetelly ill. :'(

 

Mark- if you go to the VEDA website, they will have lists of neurotologists and you can look up the ones that are in your area.

I do understand, I went through seeing so many doctors before I was ever diagnosed and it is frustrating and I know your heart must ache for you doctor. But hang in there, with the support of a Dad like you-- she has a lot right there!

 

O, thanks for kind words.
Will the neurotologist perform his own tests? Should I get all the test results with me before she goes to see him?
<VEDA website
What is an address for it?

Thanks a lot for all your help.

 

Yes, you should definitely have copies of the records to take with you, or have them sent to the neurotologists office before your daughter has her appointment. This will eliminate having repeat testing if it isn't necessary.

Here is the link to the VEDA website.

You are most welcome and don't hesitate to ask questions!

http://www.vestibular.org/

 

Hello and welcome -

Your daughter is lucky to have you !

Probably the most relied upon tests to dx Meniere's are the ENG, ECOG and Audiogram. But even those don't always tell the story, especially early on.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Thanks. But I am still a bit confused. Who (I mean what doctor) will say it is the MD?

 

Mark-

Any doctor can loosely give the diagnosis of Menieres, including a General practitioner, but that doesn't mean that they have done the proper amount of testing actually necessary to come to that conclusion... that is why I recommend that your doctor see a neurotologist. They are the "specialists" in this disorder.
Now in saying that, not every neurotologist is as equally good..... and that is not saying they will have the magical treatment for you daughter-- but it is her best option.

 

My doctor is an ENT and he dx me with Meniere's.

Either the ENT and/or the neurotologist will do the diagnosing. The neurotologist is more expert with vestibular disorders than the ENT, usually.

 

My neurotologist was able to perform all tests needed......and was able to give me SO much more information than my ENT,who I really liked also. They may also not be sure, but send you off with things to try and a wait and see attitude. Good luck, Lisa

 

Make sure you see the OTO in neurOTOlogist...sometimes it's easy to read that as neurologist, which is different...

 

<Make sure you see the OTO in neurOTOlogist...
Yes, I have noticed that. Thanks.
Are there some basic things that can help her for now till she sees the next doctor?
She is really suffering. :'( :'(

 

Low salt diet
Drink adequate amount of water
No caffeine
No alcohol
No smoking
Plenty of rest

Try dramamine or bonine (over the counter meds for dizziness)

Valium works best, but you need a prescription for it.

 

Hi Mark, I can't address the situation of having a nerve damaged by a virus, but for many people with Menieres a very healthy diet can ease the symptoms. That doesn't seem like much to offer but when my MD is more active it makes a big difference to me. I would not hesitate to call the main doctor you are seeing, or one of them, and ask them if there is something you can give your daughter in the meantime to alleviate her symptoms. For me, with Menieres, valium and a diuretic are huge medicine helps. Also, a steroid coursepak can often be prescribed to get the body on a more even kilter. For me having a 5-day coursepak of these pills (starting with a high dose and then working down) has often made me recover, even stand up again when before I could not. They usually take 24 hours to kick in for me, and could keep me well for long periods of time. I don't know how they prescribe these medicines to children, but call the doctor - even ask for the nurse, most times they can be huge sources of suggestions and help. Lisa

 

But can the MD be caused by a demaged nerve at all?

 

Mark, how old is your daughter? Is this a child or an adult?

 

She is 22. I love her more then anyhting else.