Hi,
I've been suffering from reoccurring episodes of pressure building up in my left hear, resulting in a form of very loud tinnitus that lasts for in excess of 24 hours before it calms down again. I have not experienced any form of nausea and dizziness that's associated with Menieres disease. Everyone thinks I have some form of this condition (including the ENT doctor) although my symptoms do not quite fit the mould.
I have been taking Betahistine for the last 6 weeks and on recommendation from the ENT doctor increase the dose from 16,g to 32mg as I'm still having attacks of ear pressure and resulting tinnitus/hyperaccusis.
I am on a restricted salt, fat, sugar diet that I have stuck to religiously but I now believe that the attacks are coinciding with low weather pressure. The pressure that builds up in my left ear is uncomfortable but its the tinnitus that builds up to a distressingly loud volume and appears to come from inside my brain that's causing the most upset for me.
I'm desperate for some help and advise as to whether I do have Menieres disease or one of the other conditions such as perilymph fistular etc.
My clinical history before this condition started was that I had been training for the London marathon and was running for 2.5 hours at a time with earphones in (not loud but with very sweaty ears) and then I went to Centre Parcs and came away with what felt like water in my ears. I'm guessing this is what triggered off the condition.
MRI scan only showed some fluid build up in the mastoid area and I've recently tried a low dose of directics but this does not appear to have helped at all. Doctor also gave me Amytriptyline to try but after it made me feel very spaced out after a coulple of doses and I ended up losing my young son on the school run (very scary) so decided not to continue with it. I'm now wondering if I should try it again (so confused!!).
Please if someone can help me in any way shape or form I would be forever grateful.
Do you have any loss of hearing in left ear?
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for responding to me.
I have quite severe hearing loss in my left ear from childhood ear infections, that apparently damaged the inner bones and although I do have a hearing aid, I don't feel the need to use it as the hearing in my Right ear is very good thus compensates. However, during my tinnitus attacks the noise inside my head is so loud that it make hearing more difficult but once this calms to a quieter lever my hearing appears to be as normal?!?
Hi Wendy
Sorry to hear about your condition. I have found breathing exercises and vestibular retraining most helpful. I have been doing those since being diagnosed last November with similar symptoms to yours. I also take beta histine.
Hi Pat, thank you for your reply.
Do you suffer with vertigo? What do you use the vestibular retraining for and how do I find out where to do this? Today is a bad day as it feels like I've got a piano chord permantly sounding in my head combine with a on off buzzing sensation on the L side. I'm convinced it's down to the weather as is very cloudy and windy today.
I've started taking the amitriptyline tablets again out of desperation but all it appears to be doing is making me want to go to sleep!! Not good when I'm working all day then looking after my 3 young sons.
Hi Wendy I used to suffer from vertigo a lot. Look at the menieres society site menieres.org.UK it provides detailed information. Hope it helps.
Hi Wendy
I thought that I should tell you a little about my experience, I was diagnosed with menieres last year by a consultant, he advised me to go on the betahistine for the rest of my life, since I was not on any medication I was a little upset. I started to have tinnitus and deafness in my left ear in my 30s. I had several occurrence of vertigo and dizziness over the last 20 years which was treated with anti histamine and rest for 10 days. But the attacks last year were more frequent and in addition I also had the loss of awareness and rapid flickering of eyes followed by vomiting. The vomiting went on for several hours Once I got the attack a few times I decided to investigate the conditions further and noted the balance retraining information(vestibular retraining). My GP was helpful once I began to give her more information, I was the only person on her register with the condition. I was given some more information from the Consultant.
I swim three times a week, and do the balance retraining plus breathing exercises. I have not had fullness of the ear since I have been doing the breathing exercises. However it was noted that I always had a build up of wax in my ear. I have a drop or two of olive oil each morning to see if I can reduce the wax and that has helped also. If I feel a slight sensation whilst I am out I ensure I do the breathing exercises.
I had to start of doing everything very simply and I now do with more confidence. It I would say it took three months before I was able to do do all the exercises without feeling dizzy.
take care and good luck, see if you can have regular checks with your GP
Pat