Just not sure...

Discussion in 'Your Living Room' started by Eileen, Oct 5, 2006.

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  1. Eileen

    Eileen New Member

    Hi everyone! I guess I'm the newbie now..lol.

    Well, I'm not sure what my problem is. I have recently had very severe bouts of dizziness, falling, blacking out. Bad headaches almost daily, very tired all the time, fullness in my right ear as well as severe hearing loss when my ear is full. I went to see my doctor last week, he ordered blood work, a cat scan, and an audiogram. Cat scan was fine. My bloodwork came back a little off, but nothing that can't be fixed with some B12 vitamins and some Fish Oil Concentrate. The hearing test was a little disturbing though. It turns out I have mild to moderate hearing loss in my right ear. I have to see an ENT on Monday.

    My doctor, as well as the audiologist mentioned that I may have Meniere's Disease. I had no idea what it was, so I got online to do some research. To say the least I am now terrified by what I have read, although reading what some of you have written helps me realize that I'm not the only one.

    I suppose I'm a little lost. I seem to have some of the symptoms, but others, for instance tinitus, I do not. My vertigo does come in episodes, as in it happens a lot in a short period of time, and then goes away for a while. I guess I'm just not sure....Hopefully I can get some answers soon.

    Eileen
     
  2. Bergie

    Bergie New Member

    Hi Eileen and welcome!!!

    You ENT may want to send you for an MRI at first.

    If you go to our Database here, there is plenty of information there to help you...although recently we crashed here and lost a lot. But little by little it is growing once again. And our chat room is down for now.

    If you have any questions...ask away...everyone here is great and offer wonderful support!!
    Here is a site that explains Menieres...http://users.aol.com/inventmd/meniere.html and the tests that you can expect.

    Again...Welcome!!!
    Bergs
     
  3. Linda1002

    Linda1002 New Member

    Hi Eileen and welcome!

    Hmmm, blacking out is not usually associated with Meniere's, unless it's from hitting your head when you fall. The ENT should be able to shed more light on the situation with some additional tests. There are many things that cause dizziness.

    Here's more info you might find helpful in the meantime (turn off your speakers):

    http://www.menieres.org/jacki/jackis70.htm

    Keep us posted on what your doc says.
     
  4. Wobbles

    Wobbles Storm (April 15, 1992 - November 17, 2006)

    Hi Eileen and welcome to forum!

    I am with you in hoping that you can get to the bottom of what ails you.

    Although no one on this site can give you a diagnosis, we can share our experiences with you and tell you what has helped ease our own dizziness. The first bit of advice is to cut down on caffeine and alcohol as both of these substance may be exacerbating your symptoms. Also, a lot of people find that limiting their sodium intake to 1500 mg per day has helped.

    Patience is a virtue, which is especially true for people with inner ear ailments. It can take a long time to get an accurate diagnosis. In the mean time, try not to get too wound up over the whole thing. We're here to help.

    Joe
     
  5. Eileen

    Eileen New Member

    Thank you all for the warm welcome! As well as all the advice. I have been looking through the different things that could be causing these problems...I guess it just concerns me that both my doctor and the audiologist mention Meniere's Disease. I'm just so confused, I wish I knew something...
     
  6. feelbizarre

    feelbizarre New Member

    Hello Eileen,

    Welcome to the group. You may have meniere's and then again you may not so it is too soon to tell. I was told I had Meniere's but now it looks like I do not. There are many different things that resemble meniere's but turn out to be something else. Blacking out is a little disturbing to me that is not a meniere's symptom. I use to have momentary blackouts years ago when I turned my neck. I have also totally lost my hearing in my left ear at times without any of the other symptoms. I presently do not have those symptoms now.

    You write that your B12 is off, well that can result in some neurological issues. The fish oil, I am assuming is for high cholesterol levels, correct me if I am wrong. One thing they might want to look at is your bloodflow in your neck. Easy test, just an ultrasound of the blood vessels in your neck. I've had it done twice. It just strikes me that you mention, headaches, dizzyness, falling and blackouts. Just another avenue to explore.

    See the ENT on Monday but don't forget to tell him all your symptoms, not just the ear related ones. If you get a good one they can send you on the right path in case it is something else. I have been to eight specialists to rule out all kinds of things. Hopefully you get some answers soon!

    Joanne
     
  7. Wobbles

    Wobbles Storm (April 15, 1992 - November 17, 2006)

    Eileen,

    Most people with Meniere’s disease lead pretty normal lives. It is not a fatal disease and can go into long periods of remission. I am in a period of remission myself and have not had any vertigo for almost 1 year.

    Your ear problem may very well be something of even more limited duration. Sometimes it is a nasty virus that disrupts an ear. Eventually, the body fights off the virus and repairs the damage.

    It is natural to be concerned about what is causing your dizziness but don’t let your inquisitiveness get the better of you. If you work with your ENT (or neuro-otologist), then you will get to the bottom of the problem.

    You have made progress by correlating your dizziness to loss of hearing. This points to the ear as a possible source of your problem. It is a good first step.

    Joe
     
  8. Eileen

    Eileen New Member

    Joanne,

    The fish oil is because I have extremely low levels of the "good" cholesterol. I don't have any problems with any of them being high. Over the weekend I'm going to write all of my symptoms, concerns, questions down so that I won't forget anything while I'm with the ENT.

    By the way, the blackouts (maybe I am not using the correct term) usually happen when the dizziness and spinning first hits, and the dizziness and spinning many times causes me to fall.

    Thank you for your thoughts though, I will def mention them to my ENT.

    Eileen
     
  9. Willie Marie

    Willie Marie New Member

    I do black out sometimes--not often and only for a few seconds--just long enough to hit the floor. Good luck in getting a dx.

    Willie Marie
     
  10. Eileen

    Eileen New Member

    Yes, mine do not last for long either...as you said, just long enough to hit the floor. Then I have to stay there for a while, I don't dare try getting up again. I have tried crawling to my bed or the couch or something, but I fall when I'm crawling too.

    Thank you Willie Marie, may I ask what you have diagnosed with?
     
  11. pardonme

    pardonme Guest

  12. cheese

    cheese New Member

    Hi Eileen ...sorry to hear you're having problems

    When I 1st started to get vertigo, I actually thought I was having some kind of fainting/blackout attack. I'd be standing still then all of a sudden the room would just seem like it was upside down(not neccessarily spinning) and my knee's would buckle.

    In hindsight, telling the doctors that i was fainting (even though i technically wasnt) hindered my diagnosis immensely and sent me down the "you have a panic disorder" path.

    It would definitely be worth getting an MRI to rule out anything more sinister ....... But also next time you have a turn, just relax and ask yourself "Am i fainting ...or is this vertigo?" .....They can both feel very similar unless you're educated on what vertigo actually is...

    Im certainly not a doctor though, so definitely get everything investigated ....

    I hope you feel better soon.
     
  13. Willie Marie

    Willie Marie New Member

    Eileen,
    I have been diagnosed with bi-lateral Meniere's. And unlike some I DO faint. The doctors have all asked, "Do you black totally out?" I honestly do. I know when I start going down, but I never know when I hit the floor. I bruise easily, but never have I had a bruise on me from one of these "falls". A little over a year ago I was standing in a chair doing some cleaning and I blacked out and hit the concrete floor. I broke my shoulder in the fall. The only bruise I had was on the shoulder I broke--which was proof positive to me that I was totally out--otherwise I would have had bruises all over me from throwing my arms around trying to catch myself (That has happened as well by the way and I get bruises alll over the place.) Like you, I have to wait a while before I get up and usually then it is with help. I have to spend some time in bed after that.

    Let us hear how it goes with the doctor's visit. Ask ANY question that pops into your head--even if it seems odd to you. You never know when you will hit "just the right question" that will prompt the doctor to check just the right thing.

    Willie Marie
     
  14. Linda1002

    Linda1002 New Member

    When I get vertigo, it's so severe I cannot stand, but I don't faint and it's not a drop attack.

    For those who are interested, here's more about drop attacks. They are not the same as vertigo:

    http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/central/drop.html

    http://www.balance-and-dizziness.com/tumarkin.html
     
  15. cdedie

    cdedie Designed by DizzyNBlue

    Welcome Eileen. TracyinIndy has a fantastic thing she puts out for newbies but I couldn't find it since the site changed. She suggests keeping a journal which would include keeping track of what triggers you, what you eat and just keeping track of everything. Wish I had saved it! Tracy where are you?

    You can find all kinds of information, support or just about anything here. This is a great group of folks. Ask away!

    Good luck!
     
  16. LisaB

    LisaB New Member

    Hi Eileen, when I first read the internet after I was diagnosed I was also terrified. I have had MM for 12+ years and overall lived pretty normally with it. I do have months that are a bit worse, but I have been treated well with meds (the biggest being a diuretic everyday, and also valium as needed). I did also have 2 sac surgeries which were outpatient. They didn't provide permanent relief, but for me I am glad I had both. The first put me in a 3 year complete remission, not bad for outpatient surgery. The internet makes it sound as if you are totally diabled by this disease. Sadly it does affect a few that way, but not most. It hasn't for me, it just sucks and is untimely. The best advice I can give is find a good doctor who is an expert in MM, if it turns out that is truly what you have, and read everything you can so you know what questions to ask. This forum has some very bright people on it who know more than some docs....they are great to field questions to. Also, I use the meniette (a machine that blows air into your middle ear, to displace fluid enough to relieve symptoms) and it really works for me. (Last 2 years) The docs tend to be skeptical of it, but the company has great info on it and since it is not surgery or meds, it is very worthwhile to try. Good luck to you and as someone said, patience sometimes can be the name of the game. Lisa :)
     
  17. Eileen

    Eileen New Member

    Well, I've gone to see the ENT, and he told me to get a VNG test and a cat scan of my ear. I did both on Tuesday, and ever since the VNG I have not been able to get rid of the dizziness the test caused (particularly when they blew air into the ear). The test literally made me sick, and I have been dizzy ever since. I plan on calling the doctor today, I haven't been to work since Monday, my job is getting irritated, I can't drive, I can't do much with my kids. Even looking at the computer monitor makes me dizzy. I don't know what to do...I just want to feel better.......
     
  18. Linda1002

    Linda1002 New Member

    Eileen -

    I don't know if this will help or not, but usually if you get dizzy during the ENG that's a good sign that the vestibular system is not damaged. It's supposed to react to foreign objects in the ear.

    Definitely call your doctor. Something else might be causing your dizziness.
     
  19. tamarak

    tamarak New Member

    ...yeah...and overwork, anxiety are both triggers for many people to have dizziness..menieres or not. also, stay away from aspartame and msg. a gluten free diet worked a miracle for me. there are so many causes for the menieres cluster of symptoms...

    tamara
     

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