Meniere's Disease Support Group

I am a 27 year old mother (of a 5 year old boy) living in Austin, working full time & going to school full time. I was diagnosed back in 1998 with MD (left ear)from an ENT on the first visit. I had two dizzy spells the first year 98-99. I had one in 2000. I had two in 2002. Two in 2006. Like 25 in summer of 2010. I have had about 6 so far in 2011. ENT's will have their own opinion on why Meniere's happens & what triggers it. They ALL agree that there is no cure. I do not mind the tinnitus or hearing loss, but the dizziness/built up pressure SUCKS. Some ENT's say it is an Auto Immune Inner Ear Disorder, others say they don't know why. I'm taking a Pharmacology course, and I have noticed that taking medicines too long or letting infections go untreated can cause it's own lifelong disaster in the inner ear. I got diagnosed not too long after having Mono (and being on heavy duty Cipro for two weeks). It makes me wonder...

What triggers me?

To be honest, I eat salt like crazy. I eat Twang (10 packets in one setting), I drink sweet tea everyday. I do take an all natural mulit vitamin & calcium everynight, and I do drink lots of H20. I have been lazy lately, but usually work out at gym 3-4 times a week. I have noticed here in Austin that allergies (mold & cedar) are off the charts! On these days, I feel extreme pressure and get neck aches & headaches. When I would feel a dizzy spell coming on (usually in April & May), I would take an Advil Congestion Relief tablet, & NO LIE within 20 minutes, gone!!! Which makes me think Meniere's is affected by allergies/barometric pressure. I read an article about a man who took immunotherapy & built up a resistance against allergies (indoor & out), and went almost 8 years without a single attack. I do not think stress is a factor (therefore not an auto immune disorder) because I have had some VERY stressful times in my life (fighting with son's father, working & school pressure), and didn't have a dizzy attack. I was not able to lay flat on a pillow for about 6 months (I had to lay on 2pillows, practically sitting up sleeping), and I was not able to put my head inbetween my head. Now I am.

So what does this long story conclude?

-I believe it is not an auto immune disorder

-Stress does not trigger it

-Outdoor pressure & allergies are a prime factor in bringing on attacks

Hi, I have not yet been diagnosed but have had issues with spinning, lack of balance, full ears and have had tons of ear surgeries for well over 30 years. I do have tests on Monday.

I think what's kicked me into high gear is the removal of a water retention medication that I've been on since 2002. I did wean off it but still I'm miserable.

Now that I've read about the ENG test, I have a new concern. If I have bilateral MD, the test will not be as conclusive as if I have unilateral since they compare one side against the other. I cannot decide if it's one side. It really seems to be both. Both ears ring, both get stuffy, both hurt, I don't fall toward one side or the other...

hi futurern....i do believe stress triggers it for me...because everytime i get stressed i get dizzy and the ringing gets louder...as does the pressure..but i dont think it is true for everyone...

kat

Hi FutureRN,

Please note that my MM was similar to yours in the sense that it would come and go. However, the reason that this happens is because your inner ear organ is still viable and young. Please be aware that MM is a chronic, progressive disease and if you don't take care of your condition now, you will pay later and become debilitated as I have. I am not able to drive, work and even walk my own dog. I live on diuretics, Meclizine every day and sometimes valium. It's no joy ride and very depressing. So please take care of yourself, diet, stress, allergies and spiritual needs now. MM symptoms return with a vengeance as the inner organ degenerates with age and your MM symptoms become permanent. Hopefully the disease will fizzle out or go into remission.

Licho