I have heard from so many people about their experiences with the doctor that is treating (or not treating) their meniere’s disease. A lot of the time the experiences are very bad and discouraging. That’s why finding the right doctor for Meniere’s disease is very important.
After my first bout of Meniere’s disease, of course I didn’t know that it was meniere’s in fact I had never heard of it before, I went to my regular doctor. He knew that I had been in a car accident but he also knew that I didn’t have any bodily injuries from it so he didn’t think that the dizziness that I had experienced was from the accident. So he recommended me to an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor (ENT).
This is the usual doctor to start with anything you are dealing with dizziness, especially the kind that I had. The visit was good, the doctor explained the possible reasons for the dizziness, and he thought that I had Meniere’s disease. He explained the implications of meniere’s and the general ways to relieve the symptoms, which was low sodium and diuretics.
I gave it a try. It was difficult because I had always used a good bit of salt on my food but I did pretty well. I also took the diuretic on a daily basis.
The attacks still came.
I went back to my regular doctor and asked him if you recommend someone else to see. I just wanted a second opinion and maybe another ENT would suggest another treatment or different medicine.
He recommended another doctor. Seeing this guy was probably the biggest waste of my time ever! I waited 2 hours for the doctor to tell me to just live with it because there wasn’t a cure and the surgeries performed by meniere’s patients were rarely effective.
For a while I did live with it until the attacks got more numerous. This time I went to another ENT, he was a young guy who suggested that I see an Otolaryngologist, someone who specializes in inner ear problems.
I did some research on the internet on this doctor and found out that he was well known in his field of Otolaryngology. On my initial visit I was pleasantly surprised that he gave me many options besides lowering my salt and diuretics. It took a while but I had now found someone who I could work with and trust. And that is so important when you are dealing with something like Meniere ’s disease.
So don’t give up if you feel that you are at a dead end with your doctor. Try to find someone who specializes in meniere’s or tinnitus, just don’t give up.
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Friday, October 9, 2009
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2 comments:
I think it's great that you've done this to let others no they're not alone. My husband suffers from Menieres. It took a year and a half to get him diagnosed and then only because he was tired of my nagging him to go to an ENT. When we 1st went to the ER (Jan 08)he said his chest felt tight and of course the heart docs jumped on that, did catherization and they put him on crestor which made him much worse. His symptoms were dizziness, weakness and shortness of breath. He was sent to Pulmonary doc to check his lungs, nothing. He was sent to neurologist and MRI for brain tumor, nothing. Neurologist said it was because he was an alcoholic! He doesn't even drink! Back and forth to Family doc many times and they told him there were no other tests. They couldn't find anything wrong with him. Never once did any Dr suggest an ENT. He told them,"My wife said" and they told him "Your wife is not a DR"! I told him several times last summer to go but he had lost all faith in Drs! Finally this past June he went to a different Gp with a piece of paper on which I had written Menieres. This Dr sent him to ENT, he had MRI and guess what?! He has menieres! It turns out that when he was going to ER with the shortness of breath and weakness that he was not only having a vertigo attack but a panic attack as well. That would explain the breathing probs and chest tightness.
He hasn't been back and is giving up. He has vertigo almost constantly. When hes walking he has to look straight ahead. He almost can't work because he gets so tired very quickly. It seems his brain is constantly trying to over compensate and this makes him tired all the time. He works from 3pm til 11pm. He doesn't do much at home so he can have the energy to work thru his shift. He has to stop and take an extra break later in the shift. If his boss wasn't looking out for him he wouldn't make it. He gets the "Brain Fog" alot too. Confusion, forgetfull. I don't know what to do for him. He doesn't listen to my ideas! But I'm going to tell him about you and your writings. Sorry this is so long! Thanks again for your efforts! Wishing you Health!
Janet
Janet,
I am glad that you took a proactive stand and told the doctor what you thought your husband had. You have the right to ask questions and you shouldn't have to be talked down too either.
If I were you I would continue to search for a doctor who would be able to devise some plan of action. there has to be something that can be done to help your husband.
Good luck and keep in touch
let me know how things are going.
David
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