As you probably have heard at one time or the other, Meniere’s disease is sometimes diagnosed because other things have been ruled out at least that is what one of my doctors has told me. And I believe him. Why we get Meniere’s disease is not completely known. Leading otolaryngologists have differing opinions on what causes it and they definitely have different opinions on how to treat it, not cure it but treat it. I sometimes wonder if meniere’s is even the culprit. Recently I received an email where someone suggested that maybe I didn’t have Meniere’s disease at all, maybe what I had was cervical vertigo.
Here is the comment from Charles…
Are you sure you have meniere's? I have similar problems that started after a whiplash incident and is provoked most times by head and neck movement. Dr. Hain in Chicago ( Dizziness and Balance) says I may have cervical vertigo. The fact you started with an accident, trigger with movement, and did not get help from Gent or Low Salt makes me wonder? Disruption of blood flow and/or nerves at the base of your skull can mimic Meniere's.
I had to look up cervical vertigo because I couldn’t remember any of the details of it. I looked on Dr. Hain’s website and it did state that the vertigo and dizziness was caused by the holding the head at a certain angle or turning the head. The website really goes in depth on the subject and it is very interesting. I would definitely recommend reading it.
My next visit to my doctor is in a few weeks I will make sure to ask about this condition.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2010
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11 comments:
David :
interesting but the thing with all these other diagnosis is that they do not involve hearing loss. Low tone hearing loss is what gives the diagnosis of meniers. Wish you luck.
Ronald
When I had my recent tests I was told that there aren't many conditions that come with fluctuating hearing loss. It's not sufficient for a diagnosis of Meniere's but it seems that it narrows the possibilities down greatly.
@Ronald
Thanks for the comment Ronald, you make a good point.
stay in touch
David
@Jeff
You are probably right, hearing loss is a red flag for meniere’s.
Thanks
David
I have cervical vertigo and my hearing was one of the many things that was tested before I was diagnosed. I still have a lot of well-meaning friends who offer suggestions for what can help because they forget how many tests I've gone through. Sometimes I forget how many I've gone through so I can't blame them. There's a wonderful book called Dizzy by Jack Wazen. Read that and if you feel your doctors haven't tested you in every way possible you can approach him/her with a specific test. The book also includes some alternative practices, like yoga and qigong, which may help. I've lived with vertigo for over three years and it's not fun. This book may not provide a cure but it will give you more insight into what your doctors are looking for with each test, etc. Good luck.
David:
I would think if meniers is serious enough it would be wise to go on long term disability and let nature run it's course. Especially if there is a chance it may go bilateral. My daughter has had it 3 years and many times cannot function. How can someone keep a steady job. Are most doctors helpful and understanding about this condition when it comes to disability claims.
Brenda
David:
my son has meniers. If the vertigo only stops after the balance nerve has been destroyed so no more false signals can be sent wouldn't it be wise to do destructive surgery like a laby and not have to go through 15-20 years of horrific vertigo attacks. I have read on the Internet about intramuscular streptomycin for bilateral meniers to stop the vertigo. My point is if the hearing and balance is going to go why not get it over with and avoid the debilitating attacks whether it's one ear or both.
Thanks for the site.
Trisha
@Satia, that sounds like an interesting book, I will have to look for it thanks.
Stay in touch
Thanks
David
@Brenda, Lately I have been considering long term disability. You are right there are times when it is difficult to do anything with meniere’s. My doctor knows how difficult it is to do much of anything with meniere’s so he has been helpful.
Stay in touch
thanks
David
@Trisha, a lot of people feel that way about meniere’s disease. I’m not at that point yet.
Stay in touch
Thanks
David
Hello, everyone. I ran across this website while looking for an alternative explanation for my Meniere's symptons. I was diagnosed with this disease about a year ago. I did this because the other day at my job,(I was reading a book intensely. I am a security guard.)I began to feel dizzy. My first thought was, here we go again with another Meniere's attack, better take my meclizine. But it was at that exact moment I noticed my neck was "out of joint" and stiff from holding the same reading position for over an hour. Then the thought occured that maybe my dizziness is caused by an abnormal condition in my neck, such as a pinched nerve or something similar. Now, it has been many years that I have not slept comfortably at nights. I have never found a pillow or mattress that allows me a good night's sleep, so I have just stoically accepted that my neck will always be out of joint and sore. However, about a year ago when I started having severe dizzy attacks, I went to a specialist who said I had Meniere's disease-- a diagnosis of exclusion. I didn't tell the doctor at that time about my chronic neck soreness at night and mornings after sleeping nor did I tell him that for years I have been reading while lying down with my head at one angle and my neck crooked. I think there is something to the neck being the real cause of my problem. Any one suffering from a supposedly Meniere's symptons should investigate the possibility of cervical vertigo. I know I will. Incidently, that night I did an experiment with my pillow. I propped it up so that the axis of my head was in line with my neck. I woke up the next morning feeling great! No neck soreness and no dizziness!
Thanks for sharing your story with us. I'm glad your vertigo was resolved.
David
I have been battling what the Dr's. call cervical vertigo for the past 8 months. I've been on 14 different medicatons and nothing has worked it's hard to function let alone survive and work I feel like I'm in a constant rocking chair that doesn't stop rocking. I'm only 31 and should be able to function. I've had MRI's, CT, ENG tests, hearing test, seen Neurology, physical therapy tried everything has anyone ever been through this before what have you done? do you feel like you come to a dead end after dead end?
Hi Amy,
I know in the past I have felt like I was at a dead end quite a few times. I know it is difficult right now but you have to be strong and keep trying to find out what is wrong.
good luck and stay in touch
David
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