pain meds work for meniere's?

[simmysam26]

Recently I was given the strong likely hood that I have meniere's, it has taken three years and tons of bs to get to this point.  Already I was on the right sort of diet and my actual sodium level was below normal and I am incredibly fit, don't drink or consume caffeine.  I am on a diuretic and every herbal thing that is supposed to help but does seem to do nothing.    On Feb. 5, 2010 my symptoms started again, slightly dizzy, the tinnitus and then tested for substantial hearing loss in that ear.  With these is also a constant headache, low grade body aches, tingling sensations in head and limbs, rare migraines some abdominal pain, some joint pain, electrical like feelings all over first thing in the morning, anxiety and fatigue and then the occasional actual meniere's attack.  1 time I actually passed completely out, cracking my head open and having to get 5 staples in the back of my head.  After 6 straight weeks of this I requested some 5 mg/ Vicodin, I took two and my ear ringing turned to a low hush, my dizziness was barely noticeable  & all the other symptoms mostly disappear.  Six to 8 hours later my symptoms return.  So I was taking about 6 a day and able to sort of have a normal go at things while we still are seeing all sorts of doctors and test etc.   The pain specialist denied me any more Vicodin stating that "meniere's has no pain associated with it."   Luckily I still have some left but reduced my intake to 4 a day, enduring the return of all above symptoms each evening until I take 2-3mg of clonazepam and 5mg of meletonin to sleep as best I can.  There has been no break in my symptoms for almost 4 months except when I take the pain meds.  Does anyone out there know why the docs are so against allowing the use of Vicodin or other pain meds, when so far as my case goes it's the only thing that has done any good?              

[alljokingaside]

Disclaimer: not a MD

Menieres MUST present with FLUCTUATING hearing loss, ear pressure/fullness, episodic vertigo (not spinning) and tinnitus. If all the symptoms aren;t present, then it probably isn't it.

Migraine have been known to cause vertigo and do not always present with a headache. Generally with an attack, you'll feel a build up, the attack, and then fatigue. Sleep usually helps. Do you have photophobia or hyperacusis?

My guess is that your dizziness isn't the spinning sort.

How are your B12, magnesium, and coenzyme Q10 (from meat, fish, and soy) levels?

[bob139]

Not an MD but Vicodin is a controlled substance used for alleviating moderate to severe pain. It would not be typical for Vicodin to be used in the treatment of meneires disease. I have heard that valium and other kinds of tranquilizers might be helpful. The symptoms you describe merit a thorough checkup by your MD and should include an ENT doctor and possiibly a neurologist. I hope you find some help soon.