The doctor that I had an appointment with after my first attack wasn’t completely sure what I had. I described the spinning and the nausea. I also told him about being so tired. Meniere’s disease wasn’t the first thing that he thought that I had.
Meniere’s disease isn’t rare but it isn’t has common as other disorders. In reality it is even difficult to say how many people have it. The reason that I think that it is difficult is because it is so hard to make sense of. There isn’t a cure, although there are things that you can do to try to control it (not always successful!). And as far as preventing it from happening is impossible. I know that ENT’s tell you to cut back on the salt but that doesn’t help everybody, at least it didn’t help me.
Surprisingly enough there are some diseases that have similar side effects to meniere’s. Vertigo can be a symptom of Lyme’s disease, although there are a number of other symptoms that don’t happen with meniere’s. A type of syphilis called otosyphilis can resemble Meniere’s disease, for an in depth explanation of otosyphilis Dr. Hain has an article on his website. Acoustic neuroma (tumors) can also have similar symptoms too.
One doctor told me that Meniere’s disease is usually the verdict after every possible disease or disorder is ruled out. Hopefully if you know someone who is experiencing dizziness and nausea it will determined as something besides meniere’s.
I wouldn’t want this sickness on anybody.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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8 comments:
When I was at the doctor's the other day I noticed that the record on his screen showed that my first accident & emergency visit in 2006 had been recorded as a case of labyrinthitis. I looked into this a bit further and it does sound reasonable, even though the doctor only saw me for a few minutes.
As I've written in other comments I have suspected that my illness started with a long-lasting sore throat and other mouth issues. As time has gone on, my symptoms have become steadily less violent. It seems these things are both possible with labyrinthitis. Of course, all inner ear disorders seem pretty similar when you read about them!
On the other side of it, my later diagnosis with Meniere's was pretty superficial. Having had an MRI brain scan to make sure I didn't have a tumour, all they did was an audio test before telling me I had Meniere's (knowing my symptoms of course). I know now that my hearing fluctuates with my general feeling of health, but I'm not sure how it was at the time of the audio test and whether it would have made a difference.
My doctor has now referred me to a new consultant, someone who apparently is a real inner ear and balance specialist, and I'll be seeing him in April. I hope to end up with a more substantial diagnosis that may or may not be Meniere's!
Jeff,
I am glad that you are seeing an inner ear specialist now. Hopefully they will be able to determine whether you have meniere's or not. I hope that it is something that they can cure.
good luck and let us know how it turns out
David
I had my first meeting with my new consultant yesterday, at his otology clinic. It was brought forward three weeks from the original date. I could tell right off that he knew what he was talking about (I mean in regards to our kind of problem), and he asked me lots of specific questions about my history of attacks and how my hearing and tinnitus varied at those times.
He wants to do all kind of tests on me - caloric, pressure, hearing, balance, CT scan and one to do with eye movements. This is what I wanted too. It could take some time but he said he hopes to end up with a better view of what I have - just calling it 'atypical Meniere's' isn't good enough if it doesn't help with prognosis and treatment. Seems like a big step forward to me and I await the tests with interest!
Jeff,
It sounds like you found someone who wants to do a complete examination of all the things that might cause or have an effect on your meneire's and that is definitely a good thing. This way seems to be the best way to go. I'll be interested to hear how things went.
keep in touch
David
I saw a consultant in March of this year who diagnosed atypical Meneiere's, I was ceptical at first about his diagnosis but since then have been having episodes of drop attacks on top of the vertigo :(
I hate to hear that, the best thing to do is to read all you can about meniere's and discuss your options with your doctor
stay in touch
David
Hi My Name is Paul.
I was wondering if you know anything about Lipo-Flavonoid.I've been taking it for about two monthes,full strength. It's just an over the counter dietary supplement.. Just trying to fight thing thing..
Also I had not had a symptom of Meniere's since march of last year,but now, as of this week it returned.
IS that common for it to go dorminte ?
Hi Paul,
there has been a lot written about lipflavonoid and its effect on meniere's disease. Some think that it works others don't.
As for meniere's going dormant I have also heard of that too.
thanks for the comment
David
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