Dizzies not quite gone
May 15, 2009 10:06 am Doctors Visit, symptomsWe had taken a short weekend trip when I had to cash in that Prednisone prescription. One night stay in a hotel just as a mid February get-away. We had to cut on the air conditioner that night and the next morning as I was loading the car things started spinning. Not full blown vertigo (spinning vortex of death as I’ve started to think of it), but on my own classification scale it was heavy dizziness. I took a Xanax and we made it back into town. I got the prednisone prescription filled and took it to the letter.
I really felt pretty well that week. I think that’s the quickest bounce back from a spell that I’ve had.
In talking with my allergist he agreed that the mold I’m allergic to (aspergyllum) likes Air Conditioners and that seems like it may likely have been the trigger. I’ve moved to every other week allergy shots (and he’s encouraging me to space them out further if possible.)
I still find that I’m off balance many days, but not as bad as before and as I write this I haven’t had another dizzy spell. I’ve also had very few pressure/tinnitus days since that mid February 2008 attack. I’m writing this in October of 2008 (even though it should post May 15th) and I will provide updates as I can.
I am writing this site as a documentary of what I’ve experienced and also in an attempt to gather good information on Menieres. I may not post here regularly. It all depends. I’m hopeful that in 5 years time I may have all but forgotten that I was once diagnosed with Menieres Disease.
I know I will never forget the vertigo spells that led up to that diagnosis though. They STILL haunt my dreams.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I have had meniere’s for 5 years now. Right now I feel relatively good. I haven’t had a bad attack in months. It could be due to the gent injections that I had last summer.
Good luck and hope you feel better
July 29th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Hi, I am also a sufferer of Meniere’s. Your description of the development of Meniere’s sounds like a copy of mine! Like you it started with an ear infection when I was 18 years old, in the winter of 1994. I was swimming in the sea, and accidentally gulped some sea water – some of which felt like it went up my left eustachian tube. The next days I got a horrid ear infection. Unfortunately – I was given a low strength children’s prescription of antibiotics by a pediatrician. By the time I was back in college, the infection got worse and I was given a stronger antibiotic. I was then cured but for some years I always felt my left ear felt a little “gummy/sticky” whenever I swallowed/gulped. Whatever, I thought. Then 6 years later in 2000 I was starting graduate school and suddenly felt pressure/tinnitus/vertigo and had a spell. It took 3 years to figure out I had Meniere’s (2003). I did the allergy test, and I’m also allergic to dust-mites and a little to mold. Prednisone made me feel great the first couple days – then side effects came, but luckily it was a short run. Had another attack, found a Meniere’s expert and it was suggested to lower my salt intake. I actually found this to help – I reduced my attacks to only 1 or 2 a year. If I eat too much salt – I pay for it about 3-4 days afterwards with the usual pressure/tinnitus and when things get really bad the vertigo and dry-heaving/vomiting. After grad school, I moved to Europe and was relatively free of attacks, except for the one in a while (every 5-6 months) feeling of ear pressure and tinnitus. But two months ago I got a big attack – ate too much salt perhaps. Recovered in 2-3 days, but now just two weeks ago I got a big attack of vertigo.. and now I’m still suffering. The daily constant ear pressure and tinnitus is disabling – I can hardly think straight and I’m always stressed out and exhausted. I have been put on pentoxyfillin to improve circulation and a diuretic (dyazide) to seduce salt. I felt better for 2 days but then relapsed. I found a Meniere’s expert – hopefully I can get some help.
Some times I want to cut my ear out like Van Gogh!
Sorry I just had to vent – but I find it truly remarkable we have similar stories. Please contact me so we can stay in touch and exchange advice / support.