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Meniere's disease and headaches

Hi, I'm a 32 year old female and I've recently been diagnosed as having Meniere's disease.  I have a roaring sound with lots of pressure in my ear while I'm sleeping, fullness and pressure in my ears, vertigo attacks (not sever enough to make me vomit just nausia).  My question is I also have been getting more headaches, sometimes they are stabbing pain, is this normal to those who have meniere's?  I've been getting headaches in the front of my head, but stabbing headaches towards the back.  thanks Julie
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Avatar universal
Meniere's Disease is caused by eating salty food. SOLUTION to this problem: drink extra glasses of water at the time of salty-food consumption and up to the first 2 hours after eating. If you drink the extra glasses of water PAST the first 2 hours, it will not do you any good. The reason for drinking the extra glasses of water at the time of food consumption is to DILUTE the amount of salt that travels up into your ear region. Doctor's prescribe a water pill but they don't work since the water pill does not kick in enough water into your ear region, instead, the water pill will only make you urinate frequently. My neice is cured of Meniere's Disease since she followed my advice. I am a geologist, and I know everything about salt.
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Does your niece take any other medications ?
OH PLEASE I NEED YOUR ADVICE...MY BODY MUST MAKES SALT INTAKE ALOT I DRINK WATER ALOT, NO SODAS AT ALL, NEVER, BUT I MAKE INFLAMMATION N MUCUS LOT IN MY BODY, I HAVE TAKEN PREDNISONE LOT OF TIMES N CLEAR MY EARS UP, MY RIGHT ONE GETS CLOOGED, HUMMING,  N I WZ DIGNOSED WITH MENIERE DISEASE, I HAD ATTACK IN 2015 OF NOVEMBER N I JUST HAD ANOTHER ONE 2 YEARS LATER , 3 WEEKS AGO, OCT.2017, IT'S THE SEASON TO, I DONT TAKE ALLERGY MEDS AT ALL N IF I DO EVER NOW N THEN, MY EAR GETS INFLAMMED BUT IT'S ONLY BEEN 3 WEEKS N I HAVE NOT USE SALT SHAKER, NO CHOCLATE, NO CAFIENE, I WAZ TAKING GOODYS SOME MAYBE 4 OR 5 MONTH CERTAIN TIME U KNOW, I WAS TAKING ALIEVE PM SOME TO N I WOULD TAKE VALIUM 1MG TO SLEEP AT NIGHT, N VERSE IT WITH ALIEVE PM, I WENT TO MY DAD'S N HIS TRUCK WAS LOUD, I CANT SAY THAT TRIGGER IT, CAUSE 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT I HAD SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES UNDER MY EARS, BUT I WAZ ON LEVIQUIN N PREDISONE 6 MONTHS AGO BUT DIDNT FINISH THEM, CAUSE THEY WENT DOWN, DUH I WAS STUPID THERE, WE'LL 3 WEEKS,AGO I WAZ ON AMOXICILLIN 875MG -125 FOR DAYS BUT I TOOK MORE TGEN I SHOULD DIDNT READ BOTTLE RIGHT..HE GAVE ME PRED...BUT MY MENIERE SPECIALIST SAID 20MG 4 DAYS N 10MG FOR 4 DAYS WASNT MUCH...SO HE PUT ME ON, 80MG FOR 4 DAYS,  3 DAYS 60MG, 2 DAYS 40 MG N 2 DAYS 20MG..N 1 DAY 20MG, BUT I GET CLOGGED SOME N I GET THE HISSING N RINGING VERY LIGHTLY AT TIMES BUT AT NIGHT IT FEELS NIT AS BAD, I TAKE,water pill, N drink lots of water but don't understand U trying to get off water N U drink it to...but u don't want to get dehydrated...I think it hepls,with pressure, in the begging of my episode I couldn't fall asleep it's like I heard a,noise n it just wouldn't let me fall asleep, it's like I was having vertigo attacks in sleep or anxiety attacks,which I been on valium n wellbutrin, but I can sleep now with my valium n I dont have much vertigo as I did N but my ears get suddenly clogged....I'm on my 6 day of predisone, I'm just not sure, it's been 3 weeks N im having change my diet it's like u don't really want to eat but I have, fruits,N vegetabkes, egg N orange juice, b,12 N vitimin d3  I hears Niciian helps...my feet N hands stay cold, I wonder if I don't have great cirulation..going to start taking vitimin e....help what u know?
Avatar universal
Headache in back of  head  .. neck area are in my opinion 95%  ..probability  .. caused from ANXIETY !!  ..cause I get them  !!  .. Anti -Anxiety medication  ..or  HERBS  may help  .. As  Melissa ( Lemon Balm capsules ..or  Magnolia Bark .. capsule  .. an Old Benzodiazepene  ..Tranzene ..( Chlorazepate)  7.5 Mg  ..  ONLY other thing tat works ..is  Very Warm .( Hot) WET  .. hand towels on back neck  IF  anyone know what the best type of antihistamine that works to minimize menieres symptoms  let me know  ..I was using Chlorphen Maleate  But was thinking something else  ..like Pseudoephedrine  ..
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with severe meneers at Dr Bartels office after 5 visits and many tests. well 2 years later Its worse than ever , tinittus and dizzy all the time lack of sleep, all they wanted to do was give me antidepressents which I will not take , I am not depressed , frustrated yes... I am in st pete any good drs here
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Avatar universal
You're not crazy! I have been suffering with the same symptoms. The doctors didn't even believe me at first, they kept asking me if I hear voices and prescribing me anti depressants.

Just because people can't see your symptoms they feel like you're mad!

Hang in there, know you're not the only one :)
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Avatar universal
Just so you know, there is a diagnosis of Migraine Variance which is what my daughter has.  It complicates an already difficult disease.  She has a one year old and a 4 year old.  She is an APN and has a hectic day in a Nephrology clinic almost every day.  Really struggling right now.  However, she was put on a medication which helps to keep the vessels dilated and it has, for the most part, stopped the migraines. I hope you can find an answer soon.  From what I have found out what works for one patient with Minieres doesn't necessarily work for another.  
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Avatar universal
Just saw your post - I wanted to tell you that my husband has Menieres and he has extreme vertigo, loss of just about all his hearing in right ear, excruciating pain in head and ear - so sharp that he wears construction noise proof headphones 24 hours a day including while he sleeps.  there is no help for the pain, so his doctors say.  He is becoming more and more disabled as the days go on. He is a elementary teacher and it is awful that he will no doubt have to go on total disability.  I am sorry for the pain you are going through I live on the other side of it and see my husband suffer every single day.  He is in so much pain, however, they say there is no treatment. Have been to Cleveland clinic, Pittsburgh University Hospital, next is trying Strong Memorial in Rochester New York, there is no help.  if you no of any, please let me know.  
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Avatar universal
Has anybody thought of tmj or allergy to metal in teeth, joint replacement....all of these things can affect you head, fullness dizziness ringing in ears, and eyes and pain in joints. The most common allergy is nickel, but also can allergic the stainless steel and titanium....think about what were you doing and what changed the day before the attack. Gluten can be the issue or Candida. If you are a grinder at time or day, and it is usually under control then needed to figure out what changed to intensify it. You can have an allergy to metal but something happen to compromise your immune system and there you are....you can no longer handle the toxicity in your body....ginkp had helped me control ringing in left ear. But I am no doctor but I refused to be labelled. Please look at the threads on this web site and it might help you find your answers!
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Avatar universal
I've had 3 doctors say it appears I have Meniere's Disease. But my ENT looked at my results and said no I didn't. Well, he should try walking in my shoes, because I'm always swaying. I've had vertigo attacks, one so bad that my eyes shook, fullness of the ear (always), and tinnitus. Mine started as funny little dizzy spells that lasted for about 5 seconds. My left ear has always felt full, even as a teenager.

It's hard, because I've always been active and a real goal achiever. Now, I feel slightly disabled and always tired. I'm 47 years old. Some people in my life understand, but there are those who don't and think I'm a hypochondriac, and that really saddens me.
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Avatar universal
There are various levels of Meniere's.  You OBVIOUSLY have had the MILD side of Meniere's the last 30 years.  OTHERWISE, you would have LOST YOUR HEARING BY NOW IN AT LEAST ONE EAR AND HAD SHUNT SURGERY, NERVE REMOVAL SURGERY, OR HAD YOUR INNER EAR REMOVED BY NOW--SO BE GRATEFUL!!!

By the way, this is my 1st comment on this board.  I do have the disease.  I have had two of the surgeries & suffered 70% hearing loss in one ear.  I have massive pressure in my head on a DAILY basis.  We ALL suffer from this disease differently.  You need to respect EVERYONE on this board and what we're going thru.  Be glad and grateful you have it mildly.  Before my nerve surgery, I couldn't lay down on my bed without having vertigo start.  After it kept occurring while sleeping at a 45 degree angle in a recliner I said, "I can't live like this anymore.  I have a wife and four kids that need me to be able to function on a daily basis.  I need help."  I got the surgery and had my nerve removed.  I returned to work three months later.  

I've had to learn how to walk again twice from my surgeries.  I haven't taken a sick day in a year and a half.  I don't complain much about my disease.  I just figure that everyone gets something eventually in life--and this is what I got.  By the way, my wife had a reconstruction surgery after breast cancer this year too.  We're making it.  She's been bugging me to have my inner ear removed this summer.  She sees my suffering.  I just don't know if I want my 4 kids to go through any more trauma right now.

If you suffer from EAR PAIN (PIERCING--OR LIKE A TERRIBLE EAR ACHE) or suffer from PRESSURE (like a tightening from the throat area to the top of your head or a a squeezing like a vice) the best thing is an old-school medicine hardly used anymore called Meperidine HCL 100MG.  The pharmacist won't be able to find 100mg tablets so they will give you 50mg tabs.  That's all you will need to use, so you get twice as many for the price.  Use that in combination with Promethazine 25mg.  Meperidine (Demerol) is ranked 4th on a scale of 1-10 for pain, but works wonders on ear pain.  The promethazine used to be given in combination with demerol in the same capsule, but they made them start selling them separately about two years ago.

The only reason I know all of this is because my doctor is in his 70's and has helped 1,000's of patients over the years.

For dizziness you need Diphenidol--25mg.  It used to be called Vontrol when it was FDA approved in the 70's & 80's.  It was taken off the market when not enough people were using it.  Diphenidol is the same drug.  You can buy it through the mail.  I used to buy it in Utah from a pharmacy called Wasatch Pharmacy.           Dr. William Owens 801-399-5014 if you live in Utah this man can help you dizziness.  Good luck.

PS  As for the original post--Headaches--I was having migraines 5-6 days per week before I found Topamax (a preventative medicine).  I take 100mg in the morning and 100mg at night.  I had numbness in my back and extremities with this medicine 'till I found fish oil (1000 mg in the morning  and 1000 mg at night).  I still get migraines that find their way through the medicine about 4-6 times a month, but imitrex usually stops them dead in their tracks.

I am a healthy 42 year-old male.  I have a resting heart rate of 58.  I have exercised all my life and still do.  I have never smoked, drank, and have only taken prescribed drugs.

Once again, good luck to whatever ails you.  Sorry for jumping your case Skeetersmom06--I've had pressure in my head for almost a month straight now and I am not looking forward to having my head cut open again.  
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209987 tn?1451935465
This thread was started many years ago ( notice the hourglass symbol?)
None of us ever really reads posts that have these hourglasses symbols because of this.

For more results/replies you should always start a new post of your own...your chances of getting answers are multiplied that way.

And yes...what you are describing is what I get...and I was diagnosed many years ago with Meniere's.
Not all of us have the same symptoms.
I also have troubles with my eyes "seeing movements". The stove will suddenly move...of course it isn't, but it looks that way.
I also get what they call the drops. I will suddenly fall to the floor...very little warning.
Some of the symptoms mimic MS...so sometimes it takes forever for them to figure out what is going on.
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Avatar universal
Yes!! Have the pressure in my Sinuses too! Feel as though I can't shake my head etc....! Horrible feeling.
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Avatar universal
I have some of the symptoms here but also some different ones. I am a 33 year old Mother of 4 children. Have ringing in my ears, have had a tender left ear off and on, but not continually. Pressure in my head when I bend down  - particularly to clean under seats  etc. Also have had strange pressure which comes and goes briefly in my sinus area.
I went to the Docs a few days ago, and he was indesicive but suggested Meniere's or a virus then prescribed me with tabs for Meniere's (Betahistine) which I've been taking for 4 days now - not a lot of difference particularly in the ear ringing or head pressure, though I feel not as dizzy as I was.
I need to know do any of you have the head pressure or pressure in Sinus area too? I definitely don't feel nauseous, but hate the dizziness and head pressure and ear pressure. Feeling very scared it could be something worse....Have watched my son go through a year of treatment for Leukaemia.......
Best regards,
Naomi
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Avatar universal
Your symptoms sound like a food allergy and/or histamine problem. Have you had allergy testing done or tried a low histamine diet? I have had similar issues and found that it was allergy related. Also have you tried an antihistamine to see if the symptoms were helped. Quercetin is another very helpful supplement. Helps with allergies and inflammation.
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Avatar universal
I have had this meniere's for what feels like forever and took long for the doctor's to figure it out.  I was sent to a ears, nose, throat specialist and that is who  diagnosed.  It first started when I was 27 I came home from work one night and ended up going to the hospital they were not sure what it was they told me to take gravol which in my case makes the condition worse.  So does the patch for motion sickness you wear behind your ears.   I have been to my cities biggest hospital which has a clinic that only deals with this.  They actually brought on an attack by shooting warm water into my ears and rocking the table I was laying on worst experience ever.  They gave me all the statistics and told me that I eventually could end up deaf from it and that if my episodes continue they would have to take my drivers license  I am now 40,  I went a period of five years with no attacks.  My attacks are the worst case I get so dizzy and vomit that I end up passing out.  I have three children and a life I find the best thing for me is Serc it really works once an attack starts it lessens the severity and the length of my episode it does not stop it from happening.  When this first started my episodes would last for five minutes then 1 hour and now they last for 7 days.  My last episode was 7 days long then had 8 great days and now I have the ringing and pressure in my ears constantly.  But I try to keep a positive outlook and hope eventually they will find a cure.....
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Avatar universal
Clark, YES the eyes move and people can see it if you have someone look at you when you are having an attack. It's all connect. I have had Meniere's for 33 years! I don't know if there is a med, I am going to the doc wed and ask if he as anything for that. I workl at a computer and it's he**. Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Wow, This is a site I just ran on to. I am a 50 year old woman and suffer from Meniere's. I had a ringing in my ear for 3 years, and then one day, the whole house flipped on me. I went down hard, right on the floor! I to have been take to the ER. I was taken, because I couldn't speak clearly to the crowd it happened in front of.I can hear eveyron's comments, yes even including, * is she drunk * I just can't speak ( My children know not to panic, and get me to a toilet )    I have had an endolymphatic mastoid shunt. I could hear out of my ear ( left ) for the first time in 10 years. ( yes I lived with it on antivert and diazapam) and then the hearing returned to the * bells and whistles and roaring)and again my hearing was * muffled *. I have suffered Greatly because of this terrible stuff. I am in search of the impossible when it comes to finding a cure, besides cutting out my inner ear, or a Nerve Section ( very very very dangerous ). Hang in there guys and gals,   I am a very optimistic woman, and my life must go on. HA! It's freaking hard!!!! ( that's my bad side speaking )Single, 50, dizzy when I walk, dizzy when I talk, when anyone talks , washing forks, or stacking plates after washing them. I feel like I need to be alone all the time. I can't even stand music when I am tender like this in my ear. Tender, that s a very good word to use I went to the John House clinic in California, tried all the herbs, and I really hated the Niacin! I know I have not inspired to many of you, by my complaining, but I feel like I can't walk right, think right, see right, talk right, and it
s the Meniere's Disease that has bless me, and I would love to know what this mediciation the first few women were talking about. Statrs with an s I think. Until then I will make the best outta it!!!  Good Luck
to Everyone, and I am SOOOOOOOOOOO glad that I have * friends * out here in Meniere's land.
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Avatar universal
I'm slowly figuring out some of the symptoms that come along with Meniere's Disease. Aside from the vertigo-related blurs and blobs, has anyone noted vision problems related to flickering or reaction to repetitive visual stimuli?

I've begun noticing lately that I get "irritated" (mentally / emotionally) by objects in my sight that are repetitive. The other day my wife and I were at dinner and (for some reason) she was swinging her fork like a pendulum. Drove me nuts!! I began to realize that any kind of repetition of visual stimuli bothers me.

Anyone know anything about the relationship between Meniere's and NYSTAGMUS? I've got to ask my Doc about this on the next visit.

Eager to hear (pardon the pun) what anyone has to say.
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Avatar universal
I'm slowly figuring out some of the symptoms that come along with Meniere's Disease. Aside from the vertigo-related blurs and blobs, has anyone noted vision problems related to flickering or reaction to repetitive visual stimuli?

I've begun noticing lately that I get "irritated" (mentally / emotionally) by objects in my sight that are repetitive. The other day my wife and I were at dinner and (for some reason) she was swinging her fork like a pendulum. Drove me nuts!! I began to realize that any kind of repetition of visual stimuli bothers me.

Anyone know anything about the relationship between Meniere's and NYSTAGMUS? I've got to ask my Doc about this on the next visit.

Eager to hear (pardon the pun) what anyone has to say.
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Avatar universal
I feel as though I have stumbled upon a bunch of long lost relatives with various forms of the same symptoms/.

I have had meniere's for about 30 years... just deal with it.  In addition, I'm depressed, anxiety = on medicines for those.
The past four of five days I've had a very familiar headache that I've had numerous times and almost a vertigo feeling.  The best way to describe is a feeling like my head is a salt shaker and someone is shaking it as hard as they can.  This will happen with very little movement of my head or my eyes.  I've found no relief and have been lying around to be still which seems to help.  I've got pressure in my sinuses and they are tender to touch.

Has anyone experienced this "Shaker" sensation?
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed this past year. I am 32 years old. They did the hearing tests which found a loss in both ears (more so in the right than the left which he told me was unusual...that it is usually just in one ear) and I have the symptoms:

Crackling and ringing ears (sounds like someone crunching a potato chip sack inside your ear when you swallow). The ringing comes and goes very quickly. Usually lasting around 1 minute.

I have hearing lossing in my right ear, my low tones are suffering. I can barely hear my husband from across the room and when I do I usually mix up what he is saying.

My right ear also feels like it has water trapped in it all of the time! It is so annoying, but I have gotten used to it. It aches too sometimes so don't let a doctor tell you that there is no pain associated with MD. It isn't horrible pain but it can push the limits sometimes.

My balance most days is horrible. The thing I find funny is it is only when I am moving do I fall. I could be walking a straight line and fall over. I have great balance when standing still, unless I am dizzy.
Usually when I get dizzy it only lasts for a moment or two. If I ground myself to something It gets better.

I find also that I "see stars' a lot. It is happening more and more and I am not sure if that is the MD or what.

I suppose I am right along with the first poster here. Has anyone had problems with light constant headaches? It seems as though my head has hurt every day for the last year! I don't take medication for it because I dont want to have a rebound effect.
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907968 tn?1292622204
thingywhatisit,  this is interesting, I'm interested in this disease simply because my syndrome has been mis-diagnosed as Menieres and many other diseases and conditions till 1998.   Even then not all ent's and even otolyregoligists(spelling) know about SCDS.  Anyhow, the reason Im posting is that we (SCDS sufferers) know eating Salt and a few other things will change the chemical balance of the inner ear fluid which changes conditions of this syndrome.  I.E. ear feels fuller, balance becomes worse, ect...  I wonder of your finding is very similar where as a high or low magnesium level changes the same things?
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Avatar universal
My problem with Menieres has lasted many years, and resulted in emergency room visits because of symptoms which ressembled stroke. This is a serious condition and the dizzies became a way of life. I was given Betahestine drugs which help considerably but found something out this week which may help others. I have always used supermarket spectacles, as glasses are extremely expensive here in France. This last month, I decided I needed correct spectacles and spent the money to buy them. I also decided that my magnesium levels were insufficient and started to take regular magnesium. In the last week, the Menieres has practically disappeared for the first time in three years. I would advise anyone who has eye problems to address those problems and see if this helps them to overcome the debilitating effects of Menieres.
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Avatar universal
  For the past 12 months my husband has been just like the rest of you He awoke one night at 2 am and was taken to hospital thinking he was having a heart attack Nothing was found after extensive tests in ED They gave him 25mg Stemetil in hosp and by luch time we retned homeand at 2 pm he then started vomiting again AT 6pm he was given another injection He couldnt lift his head off the floor to get to bed
Then 2mths later MS attacked him again with vengence Another trip to hospital and it was like that until the last 2 months and the vomiting has stopped He has days now when he feels confident to drive but like you all he wakes up with headaches
So thank you I will try the Vit B2 the olive leaf extract and if they fail try the gluten free and milk free My daughter is on a milk free diet as she has the asthma and the tummy problems They all do seem inter related We have tried a salt free diet but he says that it didnt help as we didnt eat a lot of take aways or use salt in our diet much so was not a problem to stop
the tought of going on the gluten free and milk free diet sounds like their may be only air left to eat He already lost 12 kilos within the firt 2 mths and has gradually put some back on
Kev hasnt been working now for 12mths Finds reading difficult and has to wear dark glasses for the glare and is always in bed by 830pm
Kev still takes stemetil 5-10mg regularly for his nausea Is also taking Serc daily
Thank you all for your help
Kris
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Avatar universal
Hi
I have suffered from what I believe is Meniere's disease.  It has struck me multiple times so bad that I could not stand up or get out of bed (had to try to crawl).  I have had lots the tests that have shown nothing untoward (a good thing), but offered no solutions.  I have had to come up with my own.

Luckily, as my father, grandmother and now my 7yo daughter has/is suffering similar problems it has not freaked me out too much.  
As my symptoms come on with fierce intensity for anywhere between 2-6 days and go completely other times, I am luckier than most.  When it comes on I carry around chewy ginger chews (bought straight from ginger factory in QLD, Australia) in individual packets.  Blackmores natural travel sickness tablets also have it in a tablet form if you don't like eating ginger. I try to fix it naturally rather than other medicines which could have other side effects.  Also making sure I have lots of sleep, water, eliminate all stresses.  Easier said than done.
BTW - my symptoms sometimes comes with the ringing in my ears.  Other times not.  Sometimes brought on by stress, other times brought on by virus.

My daughter is now complaining on headaches, backache (around neck), blurry vision, dizziness and the most scary thing is the "falling over" (or should I say losing consciousness for a few seconds).  After falling out of the tree house 3 times, falling over down the street, in carpark, at school etc - finally got an EEG and multiple tests - doctors (inc neurologists) have no idea.  I'm starting to wonder if there is a blurring of meniere's disease and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).  I have only discovered POTS on the internet ... plan to take it into the doctors and see what they say.  

Anyway - I was hoping this might help someone out there.

fallon193 - fascinated by the idea that it might be due to inner ear being infected by virus (Herpes).  Hmmm - might start my daughter on Olive Leaf Oil, which has proven in studies to help inhibit or kill the Herpes virus.  If that fixes the symptoms ... it will save me a fortune in doctors bills  :o)
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