I was finally diagnosed with Meniere's in 1998, after long term bouts in 1995 and in 1997. In 1999 and again in 2003, 2 additional doctors diagnosed me as having Meniere's, but when pressed, both said "not exactly". That is a good thing, as whatever it is that I have hasn't progressed to a more serious stage. I manage it by jumping on "sinusitis", which occurs 3 or 4 times a year, usually after allergies, with antibiotics. If left untreated, the sinusitis triggers vertigo and it can last for months, even after the sinusitis goes away. What got me here today is that I visited my primary care physician (who missed the Meniere's diagnosis in 1995 and again in 1998) and he jumped on me for antibiotic "abuse"; I don't think he remembers who I am or my history since I have been seeing his associate on most visits. This is the fourth time in 12 months that I've been hit with my "pre" symptoms; when I try to fight it without antibiotics, I fail and have to see the doctor rather that go back to what I had in 1998. I've decided to make an appointment with my specialist for his take on the matter, but when I saw him last (in 2007 or 2008), he put me on a 21 (or was it 30?) day antibiotic, which "cured me" of my "pre" symptoms. If he has a better way to go about this, I'm all ears.
hi glad you posted this at this time. I have had some dizzy spells and spaced out feeling this year. I was diagnosed with menieres as I had the typical menieres symptoms, just over a year. But this time sypmtoms a little different and my gp gave anti biotics which cleared up the problem. will wait to hear how you get on
Thank you for replying. Part of the reason for my post was frustration with my GP, whom I've been seeing for 25 years; even though he and his recommended "specialists" failed to diagnose me correctly from 1995 through 1998 (I struck out on my own and found an ENT nearby who ran some tests and made the diagnosis, backed up by the two other ENTs), I stuck with him; now he seems like he doesn't know my history and is accusing me of antibiotic abuse (3 or 4X a year). If I try to overcome my sinusitis "naturally", I wind up with vertigo and worse. I've been "treating" my symptoms this way since I was diagnosed in 1998 and it has prevented an outbreak like the one I had in 1997 - 1998, which took close to a year to "get over". I still have slight balance issues, have problems going over certain bridges, but I can cope with that, very minor. I'm going to see one of those 2 ENTs (one was recommended by him) for his/her input and I'll probably write my GP a long letter afterwards, which may end in "You're Fired!".Hopefully you too will be able to manage your symptoms, just be careful when you get allergies/sinusitis/common cold and head to your GP when you sense that it's getting worse. Good luck!
Chronic sinusitis can cause some of the same symptoms as MD due to the pressure on the inner ear. According to what I have read, the acute stages do require long term antibiotics. The problem with that is bacteria easily become resistant. Have you tried daily sinus washing? The bacteria that usually causes sinusitis is anaerobic, meaning they don't do well in the presence of air. An ENT would be able to help you in that area.
Thank you for the information Donna, I'll be sure to ask my ENT about your suggestion.
What your symptoms? What tests you did? MD not only vertigo.
It diagnosed when all other deaseses eliminated. Then your
symptoms usually are nausea vomiting hearing loss veritigo
spinning pressure in ear tinnitus .Also you can have migraine
and BPPV and.....Can be done set of vertigi tests by ENT
Doctor that after checking all your history all your tests including
blood tests have to be done final diagnostic. You have to search
for correct doctor. I hope it helps.
Thank you. My major bouts started with sinusitis, maybe caused by allergies (1995 and 1997-1998). I only get BPPV now when I don't get treatment for sinusitis, the last incident was in January and it was just one incident, when I was lying still in bed. That let me know that I had waited too long to start the antibiotics. I do have some slight balance issues on a daily basis, but after 20 years I've learned how to cope with those.
When I was diagnosed 20 years ago, I had gone to our ENT because I thought I had a sinus infection. He did an X-Ray of my sinuses and they were clear. He then referred me to his associate who specialized in inner ear disorders. He did the tests with the electodes to track my eye movements, then the test from hell! He poured warm water into my left ear then the cold water, no reaction. Then came the warm water into my right ear no problem, then the cold water into the right ear. I threw up and the room started spinning. I will never let anyone do that to me again! That is when he told me I had Meneire's disease. I had never even heard of it before that day. From what I have read, a falir up can last up to 24 hours, when I have a flair up it lasts almost a month from the first episode that sent me into the ENT to present day. Right now I am begining my 4th week now. The dizziness is begining to subside and no nausa in a week. I use the TransdarmScope patch, Phenagren and Sea Bands for seasickness. I have what I call mini-bouts when it lasts only a few days. Since being diagnosed, I have had a year or so inbetween episodes and other times up to 4 or so episodes per year. All I can say is this sucks!