Vertigo - help

Hi, I'm a 35 year old woman and I've been suffering from vertigo and dizziness for about 8 months now with tinnitus and hearing loss in my left ear. (I've had these symptoms on and off for about 10 years). Every doctor I've seen has mentioned Menieres but now my ENT consultant has said it's low down on the list and has now referred me to a neurologist and for an MRI. I'm terrified that there is something seriously wrong with me. He did mention vestibular migraine which would link in with my history of migraine, but I just wondered if it was possible that vestibular migraine would just affect one ear and whether it would cause constant tinnitus. I don't really understand how vestibular migraine works because I seem to have constant symptoms.

I had an MRI scan three years ago looking for an acoustic neuroma but it was clear.

I know it's reassurance I need, but I don't seem to be getting it from anywhere really and I don't feel any nearer to a diagnosis than I was about 7 months ago. It could take months before an appointment for a neurologist comes through. My GP has just prescribed Rizatriptan Benzoate, but he's only given me three tablets to be take at the onset of an attack. As I've got almost constant dizziness, I don't know how that will work!

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Did you have any ear infection to start with? If not, how did it all start?

Ménière's disease can present on one side only. The symptoms are also pretty much similar to those of Meniere's disease. There are certain tests for Meniere's disease. Have they been done by your ENT surgeon?

The vestibular migraines are not continuous. They come and go in episodes. Since you have a continuous tinnitus, I would consider a CT scan for the inner ear apparatus.

Regards

[mumalums]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. The problems started last August when I had a lot of stress at work. I don't think I had an ear infection.

I don't think I've had full testing for Meniere's (I've had caloric testing in the past, which came back normal). I've now been referred to a neurologist and for an MRI. I'm not entirely sure myself where the problem stems from, it feels like an inner ear problem because of the tinnitus and hearing loss, but the vertigo feels more central.

Thanks