hydrops???

[EKBeach]

I have taken your advice on the problems I have had since my spinal.  I have gone to a neurologist and gotten an MRI to see if I have a CSF leak.  The MRI was negative.  I have gone to an ENT and he said everything looks normal.  I also got my hearing tested and they said that it is within the normal range.  My question is can my ENT see with a brief exam if I have a hydrops like you suggested before??  I am still having pressure in my left ear and ringing as well.  The fullness has gotten a little better, where at times it feels fuller than others, and really seems to be affected by the weather as well.  It seems like when the pressure outside changes, so do the pressures in my head (ears, sinuses, etc.).  Could I still have a persistent CSF leak even though the MRI came back fine, and if so, I'm at a loss where to go next.  Do I need to be persistent about investigating a CSF leak further and possibly getting an epidural blood patch?  Or should I try to continue to wait it out??  Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks for your time.

Previous Post http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/452434

[Eric P Wilkinson, MD]

You may want to consider following a low salt diet (<1500 mg sodium/day), decreasing caffeine intake, and even asking your ENT physician about starting diuretic therapy.  In other words, you may want to be treated for hydrops symptoms to see if they improve before doing anything else.  The diet modifications alone are enough for some.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/452434