Typical or Atypical Symptoms?

[Apicius]

Hi, everybody. I was diagnosed with Meniere's just five weeks ago after suffering two bouts of dizziness, queasiness, and cold sweats in one day, and then having an MRI to rule a brain tumor and having two hearing tests, which confirmed I've lost some hearing (low tones) in my left ear.

I haven't had those God-awful symptoms since then, but I have had the following: I get a fullness in one ear or the other and a humming sound, sometimes very loud, sometimes not so bad. When that happens, I end up feeling a bit wobbly and woozy, and I feel shaky. In fact, my hands shake a little when I hold something in them. This doesn't happen to me every day, but when this does happen, it's totally unpredictable. I'd like to know if anybody in this forum has experienced those kinds of symptoms. Please let me know.

It's been very interesting reading all the postings in this forum. At this point, I can see that I certainly don't have the worst case of Meniere's possible, which leads me to another question. Does the disease always get progressively worse as time goes by? Should I expect to get worse symptoms or "attacks" like those two I had in one day that landed me in the emergency room, or is it possible I may not have to deal with a worsening condition?

The ENT doctor I saw put me on a high dose of prednisone for three weeks and then weaned me off the drug. I took it to bring down inflammation in my left inner ear, where the Meniere's started. I suppose it helped, but I'm very glad to be off the prednisone; it's a horrible drug to have to use with awful side effects. The doctor also told me to keep my salt intake to under 2,000 mgs. a day.

Anyway, I do hope you guys will be able to answer my two questions. I look forward to hearing from you, and I want to thank you in advance for any info and suggestions you can offer.

[Londres70]

Vous etes les bienvenus.  :)

Yes, it was all new to me in 2009; that's when my problem started.  

Vestibular disorders/diseases are not fully understoood.  

[Apicius]

Thanks very much for your reply and the info you've given me. I really appreciate hearing from somebody in the know since this is all so new to me.

Merci beaucoup de votre aide!

[Londres70]

Well, Meniere's disease is not fully understood, so you will find the information limited about this disease.  

To answer your questions: High possibility that this could get progressively worse as time goes on and high possibility symptoms and episodes will get worse and/or occur more frequent as time goes on.  This is a POSSIBILITY not a given.  This disease has a high unpredictability.  

This disease "burns out" over time with some patients, meaning the vestibular is pretty much destroyed and then the symptoms diminish or disappear.  

At first I was diagnosed with Meniere's and then the diagnosis was changed to Chronic Labyrinthitis which is just as horrid.  

Follow your low salt diet to the letter, avoid alcohol, smoking and caffeine and stay as active as possible.  Keep stress levels to a minimum when possible.  

I did take a drug called Betahistine or Antivert (in the US) helped me some, not alot, but SOME.  You can discuss this medication with your physician as well.  It is a long term med prescribed for some inner ear disorders/diseases.