Meniere's Disease - My Story

Meniere's Disease - My Story

September 18, 2006 by
Cheryl Larkin  
Cheryl Larkin
Cheryl Larkin
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Meniere's Disease  |  Tinnitus  |  Ringing Ears  |  Tinnitus Treatment

Learn the Basics of Meniere's Disease and How it Has Affected Me

It all started about 3 and a half years ago. I was sitting in the hospital with my best friend after she had just had her first child. It was a happy time and we were just relaxing and talking. That was the last time I felt normal. That night I was back in the hospital, only this time it
 was the emergency room and I was the patient.

After many tests and some rest, the doctor said I had a bad case of Vertigo, which is basically a bad sensation of spinning or whirling. He gave me a prescription for a motion sickness patch and sent me on my way. For the next few days I wore that patch and felt drunk the entire time.

For the next 4 months, I was in and out of the hospital with severe and debilitating vertigo attacks. Along with that I also had a ringing and a fullness sensation in my ears. I lived in a constantly spinning and whirling world. I lost my job. I couldn’t drive. I became very depressed. For the most part I was unable to even get out of bed every morning. When I did get out of bed I had a really hard time walking or moving around. I fell over frequently but luckily never really hurt myself too bad.

During all of this the doctors simply kept filling me full of Valium and sending me on my way. The only time I felt normal was when I was sleeping. This affected my family and friends as well. They didn’t understand this anymore than I did. Unfortunately the doctors didn’t understand it very much either. I even had one doctor say that I was making everything up just to get attention.

It is terribly hard to actually put into words what I went through for those 4 months. It was the most miserable time of my life. I felt utterly useless. My husband and I began having marriage trouble. My daughter had no clue what was going on and was always wondering why mommy couldn’t do the things she used to do. My personality changed and I became a negative person. I didn’t know what to tell people when they asked what was wrong with me. Vertigo just didn’t cut it. There was so much more going on but I didn’t know what it was.

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WOW! Ive just been diagnosed with MD after going thru all the tests. I was just told my hearing loss in left ear is permanent. I was sick for an entire month and just got back to work this week. My head still feels heavy and like i'm in a constant fog. Its hard to keep my focus. Its very debilitating and hopefully I dont get another attack. You cant even explain to someone that doesnt have MD what a horrible feeling the spinning is. Im now interested in finding out what treatments others are trying and what helps. thanks.
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Posted on 10/17/2008 at 8:10:10 PM

On the 13th October I had a hospital appointment with ENT, had series (5hrs) of balance and motion tests. The consultant has asked me to take MRI Scan to eliminate any other causes also blood tests. However, I am bit worried that they may misdiagnosis me as I used to have migraine as well, but I know the difference between two pains. Migraine pain is sharp and aggressive whereas, meniere's is dull but heavy lingering pain on my top of the head. I hope they will make the right diagnosis. I have been taking Betahistine 8mg 3 times a day given by GP is helping me to manage but it hasn't been completely gone though. I know Meniere's Disease can not be cure but I hope I can manage and have a possible normal life and find a good job, I had been studying to provide for my two sons, now looks rather gloomy.
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Posted on 10/16/2008 at 9:10:18 AM

In 1991, after a severe worries and fear, I developed stressed and then one day I felt heaviness on my head and I had to lie down and suddenly after hour or so I feel very sick and couldn't open my eyes, my vision was distorted vertically (world around me was like a broken tv). I couldn't open my eyes, couldn't see lights either. I was bedbound for 15 days and suddenly vertigo gone milder but my both ears start to ring and few days later both ears stopped ringing but permananlty lost my left ear hearing. I thought, its all over until now in April 2008 I felt severe dizziness and but now on then had fullness in my left ear and during that used to feel balooned head but didn't take noticed of it. But now, it has affected my daily life, I can't go out, my head is heavy all the time, feel dizzy and sometimes feel sick but not quite often but have dizziness low-modtrate to severe. I also, have vertigo during my sleep and it was very frightening experience. On the 13th October I had a
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Posted on 10/16/2008 at 9:10:45 AM

Wow! I knew something was going on, but what. I had a severe dizzy spell about Two years ago that totally freaked me out. I kept falling down, could not dress myself, had nausea and vomiting, it was the worse feeling. It started in the middle of the night with the spinning in my sleep. You would think that if your eyes were closed there would be no spinning, WRONG! I think it's worse with my eyes closed. I was taken to ED by my husband. I kept thinking how happy I was that he was home with me and had not left for work yet. I am sure I had a panick attack because I had no idea what was happening to me. Since then I continue to have light headedness, I have not so often ringing in my ears, I have a strange feeling in my head which I really hate, I have mood swings, and fatigue. One thing I have noticed is to make sure I consume enough water. I have reduced the intake of caffeine and this seems to help. I now what to do to prevent the attacks or at least minimize them. Thank
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Posted on 08/02/2008 at 12:08:50 PM

Hi, I want to tell you you are not alone. I too have Meniere's and fall sometimes. Where I get frustrated is trying to excerise. It triggers the vertigo. I have to take medicine before I can even think of working out, so unfortuately I don't do it as I should. I also understand about what do you tell people. I learned if it is a disability they can't see they don't get it. You want to talk about it, not complain and talking about it to others feels like complaining. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. If you can't do something, try to smile about the fact that you could once do it at all. Some people could never do some of those things, like riding a bike. That's how I get through it. God bless all of you who wrote in and experience this aspect of life. My prayers go out to you. Mary Beth
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Posted on 07/22/2008 at 9:07:20 AM

Thanks. I use a homeopathic remedy called nux vomica to help fight off the vertigo. When it gets really bad I go to accupuncture. I haven't found anything to help with the brain fog or hearing loss. Mostly I pay real close attention and I have learned what triggers an attack for me so I can prevent them.
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Posted on 03/26/2008 at 1:03:44 PM

Great article. I didnt even know this existed. What treatment are you using for symptoms?
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Posted on 03/25/2008 at 6:03:05 AM

Awesome article. You really made me feel what you went through. I know someone with Meniere's Disease and I must admit that at the beginning, I too was one that thought 'a vertigo attack...just get over it.' I now know the truth and want nothing more than to help out and help find ways to make it better. Keep spreading the word!
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Posted on 11/04/2006 at 10:11:00 AM

Connie, Thanks for your comments. I have recently been looking into the Meniett device. I would love to hear how that works for you. I currently use the Meclazine, Nux Vomica (a homeopathic rememdy) and accupuncture to keep me on as even a scale as I can be. Without the accupuncture I think I would have gone insane by now. I guess the trick is finding what works for you and sticking with it. Stay strong and good luck.
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Posted on 11/02/2006 at 3:11:00 PM

Cheryl, your article is MY life! I've struggled for years with Meniere's and have just recently gotten a tube in my ear. I had relief after 2 days but now the symptoms have returned 3 weeks later. I had gotten my hopes up that I was cured. I also just started using a Meniett device which sends pulses into my ear supposedly to get the fluids back where they belong. The doctor says it will take 6 weeks of use before we know if its having any effect. If you haven't already learned about ZOFRAN OTD, get some! It has been the best thing I've ever found for the nausea. In addition to Meclazine for the dizziness, the ZOFRAN dissolves on the tongue and TOTALLY stops the nausea and vomiting. Cancer patients use it and its about $3 a pill...not cheap...but worth every cent. Good luck and God bless. Connie
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Posted on 11/01/2006 at 1:11:00 PM

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